The Bank Behind the Mask: Standard Bank’s IT Empire
You might be surprised to know that the mighty Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank, is hiding a massive IT empire behind its corporate mask. With an annual budget of over R23 billion, their IT estate is a behemoth. And the team responsible for keeping it all safe from cyber villains? A whopping 5,500 strong, with a thousand dedicated cybersecurity ninjas fighting the good fight.
Meet Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank Group’s CIO and the man behind the mask. He’s got a confession to make: “If you ask me what keeps me up at night, it’s definitely cybersecurity. We’re talking north of R1 billion spent on it.” That’s more than the average person makes in a lifetime!
Fischer’s team is building a fortress around Standard Bank’s digital platforms, with a dedicated chief information security officer (CISO) for each of the bank’s business units. And when it comes to their cybersecurity strategy, they’re not messing around. They’re all-in on the Microsoft security stack, and they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty.
But even with all that security firepower, Fischer knows that the threat from cyber attackers is always lurking. That’s why he’s on a mission to build contingency plans to minimize damage should their systems get breached. And to stay one step ahead, he’s got his team working with the best in the business – international CISOs who’ve faced the same battles.
So, what’s his secret to success? Fischer is quick to point out that it’s all about building trust with his team. “I tried to work on the people aspect and the culture. I gave them a comfort space to say we’re all one team, whether they work in this or that part of the bank. We face the same issues.” And by doing so, he’s created an atmosphere where mistakes can be admitted and learned from, rather than covered up.
The results speak for themselves. Standard Bank’s digital platforms are now more stable, and their IT teams are more focused on the task at hand. But don’t think for a second that this means they’re taking their foot off the gas. Not on your life. Fischer’s always on the lookout for improved processes and better security, always pushing the boundaries to stay ahead of the game.
So, if you’re ready to get a glimpse behind the mask of one of Africa’s most powerful banks, keep reading. We’ll take you on a journey into the world of Jörg Fischer, the man behind Standard Bank’s massive IT empire. Buckle up for a wild ride!
