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Tom Allen
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Computing editor Tom Allen talks to tech execs about their challenges, their passions and, of course, their technology - from AI to zero-days, and everything in between.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    ING Debbie Janeczek: Cyber resilience at scale

    In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, host Penny Horwood is joined by Debbie Janeczek, Global CISO at ING, to explore what cyber resilience really means for a global financial institution operating in an increasingly volatile threat landscape. Drawing on her background in military intelligence and financial services, Debbie discusses how ING is moving beyond compliance to embed resilience into the way technology is designed, built and operated. The conversation covers the impact of major regulations such as DORA, the shift from reactive defence to proactive resilience, and the challenges of simplifying complex security stacks without increasing risk. Debbie also shares how automation, threat intelligence and AI are reshaping security operations, why third-party risk has become one of the biggest exposure points for global banks, and how ING is preparing for emerging threats such as post-quantum cryptography. Beyond the technology, the discussion highlights the growing role of the CISO as a business enabler and value creator, rather than a blocker. The episode concludes with a candid look at leadership under constant pressure, strategies for avoiding burnout in “always-on” security roles, and how the industry can do more to attract and support diverse talent in cybersecurity.     Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  2. 19 JAN

    Kiran Mahil: Digitising trust in retail banking at Nationwide

    Penny Horwood is joined by Kiran Mahil, CIO of Retail Products at Nationwide Building Society, to explore how digitisation and automation are reshaping retail banking while preserving trust, fairness and accessibility. Kiran explains her role overseeing Nationwide’s core banking platforms, retail products and technology strategy, and outlines how the mutual’s values influence its approach to digital transformation. Rather than focusing solely on online channels, Nationwide is pursuing a multi-channel strategy that combines modern cloud-based platforms with continued investment in branches, ensuring no customers are left behind as services evolve. Automation is being used to reduce costs, streamline routine tasks and improve resilience, enabling frontline staff to focus on complex customer needs. Kiran also discusses what “good digitisation” looks like in financial services, emphasising seamless customer journeys, strong security, effective use of data and AI, and technology ecosystems that are easier and more efficient to run. Kiran shares insights into the scale and complexity of integrating Virgin Money into the Nationwide brand and platforms, from aligning technology and partners to maintaining resilience, momentum and staff engagement. The episode closes with a discussion on widening digital access and preparing the future workforce. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  3. 5 JAN

    Rolf Krolke: Surviving Scale at Access Group

    Access Group runs a vast, acquisition-led IT estate while supporting mission-critical services such as NHS payroll. Tom speaks with regional technology director Rolf Krolke about how the organisation designed a scalable reference architecture that delivers resilience, flexibility and near-zero downtime across private and public cloud environments. Rolf unpacks the practical realities of active-active design, modular infrastructure and operating at global scale, alongside the mistakes IT leaders make when modernising complex estates. Listen now to learn more about designing for failure, managing technical debt and keeping transformation aligned with real business risk. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    15 min

  4. 01/12/2025

    Alexandra Ebert: The AI Workslop Problem

    Alexandra Ebert, advisor to regulators like the FCA and IEEE, as well as chief AI and democratisation officer at Mostly AI, joins Tom to discuss the modern AI landscape. She warns that too many organisations are rushing to “get more GenAI” without doing the groundwork, arguing that AI needs to be a strategic capability rooted in solid data foundations and alignment between technology and business rather than a shiny add on. She also highlights the pitfalls of “AI workslop," where employees lean too heavily on generative tools, producing more work with less originality, and urges CIOs to rethink governance and training around AI-augmented workflows. We also touch on the economics of Big Tech, with Alex suggesting that hyperscalers’ massive infrastructure spending is driving AI hype to justify their ROI. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    15 min

  5. 24/11/2025

    Katia Gil Guzman: Why OpenAI's EU Dev Lead Says ‘No’ to Vibe Coding

    In this bonus episode Tom Allen sits down with Katia Gil Guzman, a founding member of OpenAI’s Developer Experience team, to explore how AI coding is evolving beyond the hype. Katia explains why OpenAI actively discourages “vibe coding” for anything beyond small experiments, arguing that enterprise-ready AI tools should behave more like software engineers - producing pull requests, following project rules and aligning to established guardrails. She also discusses how companies can improve the trustworthiness of AI-generated code; why you probably don't need multi-agent orchestration; and what the next 12-24 months hold for the AI space. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min

  6. 17/11/2025

    Leading without losing it: CISOs Don Gibson & Bronwyn Boyle on protecting mental health in cyber

    Cyber attacks and crisis response are daily realities for security professionals, but the demands of  defending critical systems and services from cyber attack can exert a heavy toll on cybersecurity practitioners at all levels. A combination of the "always on" nature of cybersecurity, the urgency of the task and some of the personality traits often found in cyber teams mean that difficulties are often masked. Practitioners are often reluctant to seek help and can get stuck in their own personal doom loop.   In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Kinly CISO Don Gibson and PPRO CISO Bronwyn Boyle talk to Computing Associate Editor Penny Horwood about instant-response pressure, the mismatch between responsibility and control and what these do to the brain. The pair open up about their personal experiences with burnout and recovery, explain why it pays for IT leaders to look after their cybersecurity teams and share practical, compassionate ways leaders can protect their teams from the mental burdens of constant vigilance. The pair also share some ways that cybersecurity professionals can look after themselves.  Don shares his experience leading through a global ransomware crisis and how it led to a life-changing health event and Bronwyn reflects on her own work-induced crisis, and how empathy, openness, and community support can transform how teams cope with the relentless demands of cybersecurity. Bronwyn is an ambassador for https://cybermindz.org/ -  a community service, not-for-profit providing services and support to those who earn their living trying to protect their organisations and employees from cybercriminals.  Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min

  7. 03/11/2025

    John Seabourn: Growing Tomorrow’s Talent at APEM Group

    When John Seabourn asked his team how AI made them feel, the answers ranged from "excited" to "concerned," but the word that stood out most was "efficient". In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, John - CDIO of global environmental consultancy APEM Group - joins Tom to unpack what that word really means in a world where technology can accelerate renewable energy projects, yet consumes vast amounts of power to do so. John explains how APEM is using tech to speed up impact assessments and bring sustainable infrastructure online sooner, without losing sight of the ethical and ecological cost. But efficiency isn’t just about systems; it’s about people. Seabourn warns that automating too much, too soon could hollow out the talent pipeline, drawing lessons from the oil and gas industry’s “Great Retirement." He argues for hybrid careers that blend scientific expertise with digital fluency, and a leadership approach that prizes curiosity and critical thinking over short-term savings. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / John Seabourn X: @Computing_News Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min

  8. 20/10/2025

    Rachel Bence: Sustainable Computing, Human Leadership

    Queen Mary University of London CIO Rachel Bence joins Computing’s Penny Horwood to discuss how the university is embedding sustainability into its IT strategy — from using waste heat from high-performance computing to warm student halls, to running datacentres powered by recycled energy. Rachel shares how a focus on sustainability aligns with Queen Mary’s mission of inclusivity and social mobility, and how these values drive innovation across academic and operational IT environments. The conversation also explores the realities of leading digital transformation in higher education — managing technical debt, supporting a diverse student body, and balancing research freedom with cyber security. Rachel reflects on the opportunities and risks of AI, why universities can’t afford to ignore it, and how leadership built on communication, transparency, and gratitude helps her team thrive through rapid change. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood / Rachel Bence X: @Computing_News Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Penny Horwood  X: @Computing_News Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
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About

Computing editor Tom Allen talks to tech execs about their challenges, their passions and, of course, their technology - from AI to zero-days, and everything in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Allen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Channel Company
  • Show Website
    Ctrl Alt Lead