Name: Tammy Moskites
Company: Time Warner Cable
Job Title: Chief Information Security Officer
What does your company do? Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting more than 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and managed and outsourced information technology solutions and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. Time Warner Cable serves customers in the following 29 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Time Warner Cable employs more than 50,000 people.
Our Customers: 15.2 million customer relationships
12.0 million residential video subscribers
10.9 million high-speed data services to residential customers and a growing number of business customers
5.0 million residential Voice subscribers
28.9 million primary service units (the sum of video, high-speed data and voice subscribers for both residential and business services)
What do you actually do as Chief Information Security Officer? I am the Executive leader of The Enterprise Information Security and IT Compliance organization. My team’s role is to globally manage IT risks against the program, policy, technology, business and operational aspects of cyber and information security within the organization while effectively utilizing security experts to ensure a secure infrastructure, employee and customer data security. We have multiple responsibilities. With a collaborative, business focused direction, the information security team is sought after to be a partner and trusted advisor. Successfully implemented, a business focused, Security Liaison approach to work on business solutions by not saying “no” to our technology, business and project partners, but by providing secure, risk based decisions—together. In my first 18 months at Time Warner Cable, we have built a team of 92 full-time security professionals in addition to teams of security contractors (domestic and international); that oversee multiple functions including: Identity and Access Management, IT Compliance, eDiscovery, Forensics, Risk Management, Cyber Security and Threat Intelligence, Security Operations, Architecture and Governance.
Where did you go to college? What is your degree in? I went to the Computer Processing Institute in East Hartford, CT. Computer Automation Specialist (programmer)
Did you always want to work in IT? I attended the State University of New York for Hotel and Hospitality management and after a year I decided that I wanted to get into computer programming (it was a hot area in the early 80’s). So I left and attended the Computer Processing Institute and began focusing on my future. I started my career off as an executive assistant and excelled to where I am today from dedication, hard work and great mentors – not to mention loving what I do!
What is your favorite part of the job? I love what I do each and every day! The part I love the most, is watching my team grow and develop into amazing analysts, engineers and leaders. I am excited to see the teamwork and their ability to build strong collaborative business relationships and maintain peak-performance with exceptionally high morale. It clearly shows, we are not only doing the right things, but doing the right things – right!
Describe the work environment at your company. Time Warner Cable’s mission is to “Connect people and businesses with information, entertainment and each other. Give customers control in ways that are simple and easy”. To align our Mission and ensure we carry it out with passion, TWC created a set of core Values that we want to live by in all of our interactions, both inside and outside of the company. These are the attributes that define what it means to be a Time Warner Cable employee—attributes we strive to live up to each and every day. Our Values are; Excellence, Teamwork, Initiative, Innovation, Integrity, Inclusion, Community. By just observing the actions of the employees, across the entire company, each and every person, live our Mission and Values every day.
What qualities do you need to have to do your job? A combination of patience, leadership, passion and integrity. I lead by example and I am true to my principles and unwavering in my commitment to do the right thing for the company – and I will not compromise those values.
What is (in your opinion) the biggest misconception about working in technology/IT? The biggest misconception about working in IT is that all we do is IT! Whether you are an individual contributor or an executive, not all of the positions require technology backgrounds. Technology is an integral part of our lives and it is important that we have the business and communication skills that in turn will support Technology; it all about business enablement.
Any advice for students or professionals going into your field? In the information security arena, there are many different areas that you can focus on. You can be an expert in keeping systems from being attacked/hacked, risk management, application security, computer forensics, virus expert, policy, compliance and more! What makes it an exciting area to work in is that there are so many opportunities for many different types of skill sets; and they all do not require IT degrees! If you want to focus on Information Security, Cyber Security or IT Compliance–there are a few areas I want to point out–make sure you study and learn more about the area of security that interests you. Study doesn’t always mean that it needs to be your major. Reading security books, blogs and attending conferences area a great way to learn more and will add value. Another area that may add value is to find someone that does this for a living and shadow them or have them as your mentor. Information Security, Cyber Security and Compliance is an exciting field to work in. If you like challenges, passionate, working as a team and more importantly are open to working in an ever-changing environment – this is the field for you!
Personal hobbies and/or interests: I have been married to my husband, John for 25 years. We have three (3) boys and five (5) grandchildren and one grandchild on the way! Outside of my security career, I focus on my passion as an executive leadership mentor and coach. I also write the food/recipe column for Palisades Living Magazine. I enjoy spending time with my family, golfing, travelling, attending sporting events and I am avid cook.