Stefano Mamone Capria is a young professional who currently works as Security Consultant. He has a background in business continuity, which he addressed in his previous role in the financial sector. Stefano achieved his CBCI certification with PANTA RAY.
1) How did you become interested in business continuity and resilience?
I learned about the world of business continuity almost by chance, at the time I had just finished university studies in Business Administration and an acquaintance of mine, a professional in the sector, told me about his work. I was fascinated by the challenges in business continuity, which for me were completely unknown and I was intrigued by the subject, in particular due to how current and applicable its principles were. Thus, I started researching on the world of business continuity. My interest in the subject and the desire to grow professionally prompted me to obtain the CBCI certification of the Business Continuity Institute. This opportunity gave me a wealth of knowledge and a foothold into a new network of professionals.
2) How do you perceive the growth of the business continuity and resilience community around you?
Over the last few years there has been an important development and more attention towards business continuity issues. In my, however brief, professional experience, I have found that – within companies – top management has perceived the need to invest more, launching initiatives to make the company more resilient also from an operational point of view. I believe that the professional market is in turmoil and looking for new solutions and individuals who can help increase operational resilience levels.
3) Do you feel that you benefit from industry initiatives, events, and thought leadership for your daily job?
Over the years I have had the opportunity to participate in initiatives and events organized by professionals in the sector. They have been formative experiences, moments of sharing and deepening on the issues of business continuity and crisis management. It is of fundamental importance for professionals in the sector to keep up to date on developments in the industry. The community collaborates and shares in-depth material, articles and webinars through various channels that are not just guidelines, since they provide a practical application in our daily work. Personally, as a Security Consultant, I find that there is an increase in the number of initiatives related to business continuity. Customers require support in this sense and are looking for professionals who offer not only innovative, practical, and effective approaches but who have also the ability to strategically see how their organization can reach sound levels of resilience.
4) How important is having a mentor in this profession?
It is of fundamental importance, in any profession, to acquire a method! The ways in which you can do it changes for everyone. In my personal experience, I believe that the support of an established professional figure, with knowledge and above all the ability to transmit their know-how is certainly the most effective and rapid way to acquire a method. The guidance of a Mentor provides numerous advantages not only because it facilitates the transmission of knowledge, but also because it gives a “newcomer” the opportunity to be in contact with a larger network of professionals.
5) What advice would you give to newcomers?
I would recommend the following:
1. Start your journey by achievingyour CBCI certification, which is an excellent way to earn your hard skills right away.
2. Be curious, ask questions and stay up to date through official community channels on business continuity developments, looking for material that is not only theoretical, but also the result of consolidated practical experience.
3. Find a mentor to guide you and who is skilled in transmitting their method.
4. Dare, do not be afraid of making mistakes. It isby adjusting your path that you will understand the correct direction over time. It will be important along the way that you do not change your approach towards making mistakes.
5. Build a network of professionals, exchange ideas with others, share your doubts and successes with them.
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Author: Gianluca Riglietti
