Insights from Michelle Tolmay: Leadership and Innovation in Technology
A Journey into Technology
Michelle Tolmay, the Chief Information Security Officer at Kaluza, reflects on her intriguing journey into the technology sector. Her path began with a childhood fascination for how devices functioned. One of her earliest memories involves disassembling the family VCR and successfully reassembling it—a testament to her innate curiosity. This initial spark set the foundation for her career.
Once immersed in the tech industry, Michelle discovered a passion for transforming perceptions of technology. She finds immense satisfaction in helping others see technology not as a daunting challenge, but as a powerful tool for empowerment.
Leadership Achievements
From a leadership perspective, Michelle’s most notable accomplishments involve mentoring individuals, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds. Witnessing her mentees ascend into leadership positions has been one of her most fulfilling experiences.
On a technical front, Michelle led the successful separation of Kaluza’s technology stack from its former parent company. This pivotal achievement has enabled Kaluza to operate with greater speed and efficiency, positioning the company to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Management Philosophy
Within her leadership role, Michelle adopts a flexible management philosophy tailored to the individual needs of her team members and their career stages. She firmly believes that optimal performance arises in environments where people feel safe, valued, and supported.
Her approach leans heavily toward transformational leadership, nurturing a culture of continuous growth, curiosity, and improvement—benefiting both her team and the organization as a whole.
Current Trends in Data Centers
In the ever-changing landscape of data centers, one topic has taken center stage: the impact of artificial intelligence. The demand for AI workloads, particularly large language models (LLMs), is pushing data centers to evolve rapidly. There is increasing pressure to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, coupled with the necessity for sustainable practices. Regulatory frameworks are also catching up, compelling operators to adapt swiftly to these changes.
Personal Well-Being and Stress Management
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Michelle values her allotment as a sanctuary where she can connect with nature, unwind, and recharge. On less favorable weather days, she turns to an unexpected hobby: LEGO. Engaging with LEGO, whether through guided instructions or personal creations, offers a fulfilling and mindful escape.
Focus Areas in Investment
Michelle highlights Operational Technology (OT) security as a critical investment area, especially within the energy sector. As IT and OT systems grow increasingly interconnected, there are heightened vulnerabilities, particularly in environments like SCADA networks. Organizations are transitioning from reactive stances to proactive strategies, ensuring they invest in visibility tools, network segmentation, and secure remote access. Compliance is also becoming vital, spurred by frameworks like NIS2 and the UK’s Cyber Assessment Framework.
With cyber-physical systems playing a greater role in energy infrastructure, securing these systems is essential for business continuity and public trust.
Regional Challenges
Operating in the UK comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment. Aligning with new EU directives adds an additional layer of complexity. Cyber risks to critical infrastructure are on the rise, and talent shortages in areas like OT security are becoming increasingly problematic. Effectively communicating cyber risk at the board level is another crucial challenge, particularly as supply chain threats and growing ransomware tactics, such as double extortion, emerge as significant concerns.
Evolution of the CISO Role
In the past year, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer has expanded beyond traditional cybersecurity borders. Today, CISOs are not only responsible for cybersecurity but are increasingly engaged in business resilience, technology strategy, and risk governance. There is a growing awareness that cyber risk equates to business risk, emphasizing the need for CISOs to play an active role in strategy formation, rather than merely serving as protectors.
In summary, Michelle Tolmay’s journey through the tech landscape exemplifies the evolving dynamics of leadership and technology in today’s world, underscoring the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and proactive security measures in a rapidly changing environment.
