Over a span of 20 years, Lata Bavisi, President of EC-Council University, has had a very exciting career with experiences in different industries across the globe. As a trained attorney, she has been able to help steer many of these organizations. These roles manifested into leadership positions, benefiting the organizations greatly as she played a pivotal role in corporate growth. With over 15 years of experience as a member of the board of EC-Council in Asia, Lata is noted as one of the world’s largest information security certification bodies.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Lata Bavisi:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace. I am an individual who is deeply committed to the cause of cybersecurity. My passion for this field stems from a genuine belief in doing good for society and protecting it from the ever-growing threats in the digital world.
Inside the workplace, I am known for being extremely disciplined and a learner at heart. I believe in continuous growth and constantly look for ways to enhance my team’s capabilities in delivering the best learning solutions in cybersecurity. This not only allows me to stay ahead of the curve but also enables me to explore innovative ways of delivering the best learning solutions to our students.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
Prior to joining EC-Council University, I had a unique and diverse professional background that laid a strong foundation for my current role as President. I am a law graduate with an LLB (Hons) degree from the University of London and a Barrister-at-Law from the Middle Temple in the United Kingdom.
As a trained attorney, I had the opportunity to work with various organizations, where I helped them navigate legal complexities and ensure compliance with regulations. Throughout my career, I gradually took on leadership positions within the organizations I worked with, leveraging my legal expertise to contribute to their growth and success.
My association with EC-Council started over 18 years ago when I became a member of the board in Asia. EC-Council is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest cybersecurity certification bodies, and during my time on the board, we worked tirelessly as a team to shape the organization to create world class cybersecurity practitioners and we are proud to know that the EC-Council credentials have become a global benchmark in the field of cybersecurity.
All in all, my background as an attorney and my experience in various leadership positions with EC-Council, has positioned me well to lead EC-Council University in its mission to be a world-class cybersecurity education institution.
Tell us about the inception of ECCU. How did it all start?
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about the inception of EC-Council University. EC-Council University was established with a vision to provide high-quality education in cybersecurity technologies and equip our graduates with advanced cyber security skill sets. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, we recognize the need for a new breed of cybersecurity professionals who could lead their organizations in effectively managing and mitigating these risks. Our mission is to enable our graduates to lead and manage cybersecurity risks in their organizations strategically and effectively.
At EC-Council University, we take pride in our innovative approach to education, which combines the latest technologies and teaching methods to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced professionals, and our expert instructors are dedicated to helping our students achieve their goals.
At EC-Council University, we strive to provide a world-class education that meets the evolving needs of the cybersecurity industry. Our commitment to excellence, innovative approach to education, and industry recognition drive us to continually enhance our offerings, prepare our graduates for successful careers in cybersecurity, and be a global leader in cybersecurity education.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
I personally do not believe I am successful yet. I believe there is a long way to go and I will always believe this as I am someone who needs to be better than today, do better than today and exceed what I have done till today. Just as we need to be continuous learners, we need to be continuous doers. For this you need to be continuously motivated, passionate and focused in what you believe in.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
As the President of EC-Council University, the most important aspects of a company’s culture are transparency, innovation, and empowerment. These principles serve as the foundation for building a culture that inspires and motivates our students, faculty, and staff members to achieve greatness.
Transparency is essential to fostering trust and open communication within the University. Innovation is another fundamental aspect of our culture. In an ever-evolving digital era, it is paramount that we embrace innovative ideas, technologies, and practices. Collaboration is another critical aspect of our company’s culture.
Lastly, empowerment through continuous learning is a core principle that I strongly believe in. At EC-Council University, we empower our students and staff members to harness their full potential.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
As the President of EC-Council University, I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of innovation, whether we function as an institution or how our students are encouraged to think outside of their educational journey with us. Innovative ideas are not just significant; they are the lifeblood of our organization. We understand that the field of cyber security is constantly evolving, and it is only through embracing new ideas and pushing boundaries that we can stay ahead of the curve.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
In my view, organizations should rely on a combination of individual heroics and team processes. While individual heroics can sometimes save the day in critical situations, it is the collective effort and collaboration of a strong team that ensures sustained success and growth.
While individual heroics may bring forth bursts of brilliance and extraordinary achievements, relying solely on them can be risky. It is the collective efforts of a well-functioning team that ensures long-term sustainable growth and success. Like a symphony, where each instrument has an important part to play, organizations thrive when individuals come together and synergize their talents for a common purpose.
Teams provide a platform for collaboration, learning, and the exchange of ideas. They bring together diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences, enabling the collective to achieve more than what each individual could on their own. Just like the mighty eagle flying gracefully through the skies, teams soar to new heights when individuals unite and support each other.
What are your responsibilities as the President of ECCU? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
As the President of EC-Council University, my responsibilities are varied and include a wide range of duties. My foremost duty is to ensure that our university remains at the forefront of cybersecurity education, providing our students with a transformative learning experience that equips them with the knowledge and skills to combat ever-evolving cyber threats. This involves collaborating with faculty, staff, and stakeholders to provide an environment that fosters academic excellence, innovation, and student success.
Additionally, I lead strategic relationship-building collaborations with industry partners and organizations. By forging strong alliances, we can harness their expertise and resources to provide our students with real-world, hands-on experiences that are vital in today’s competitive job market. Moreover, I also focus on keeping a tab on emerging and yet-to-emerge trends and technologies, ensuring that our program curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge, empowering our students to become leaders and innovators.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
I believe that stepping into a leadership position for the first time is both exhilarating and challenging. It is a privilege to share some advice with those embarking on this remarkable journey. To those taking their first steps into the realm of leadership, I would like to offer a few words of wisdom.
Firstly, I encourage you to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Secondly, remember that leadership is about people. Empathy, compassion, and effective communication are vital qualities for a successful leader.
Next, be resilient in the face of challenges. Every great leader has encountered obstacles along the way. Lastly, continue to learn and never stop growing. The path of leadership is an ongoing process of self-improvement.
