Global Information System Security Association adds Sri Lanka

Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) announced and welcomed the recently formed Sri Lanka chapter to its strong worldwide network, spanning 170 countries.

ISSA is a not-for-profit, international organisation of information security professionals and practitioners containing 140 active chapters and reaching over 13,000 security professionals. The ISSA community provides a forum for practitioners to enhance their knowledge, skills and leadership roles in information security. Its members are consistently recognised as experts on critical issues in every area of information security while the group is considered a critical asset for numerous business organisations, global enterprises, banking and financial services organisations and government entities.

The Colombo Chapter was mentored and founded by Thilak Pathirage of Seylan Bank, the incumbent President, with a team of security experts in the country.  

The objectives of the association are to develop the profession of information security as well as establish security governance and standards in the country. The local chapter will initially focus on the industry verticals of Banking and Finance, Telecom, Government and Education.

Applauding the Sri Lankan initiative, Kevin L. Richards, President of the ISSA international stated that “It is with great excitement that I welcome the ISSA Sri Lanka – Colombo Chapter to the ISSA International chapter network. As ISSA Chapter founders, your hard work and dedication helps expand the preeminent global community of information security professionals by helping us serve a new community of ISSA members. Our members contribute information security guidance and insights to leading corporations around the world, regional and national governments, and higher education, as well as collaborate on and develop the technologies and leading practices that shape the future of our profession. We look forward to having the ISSA Sri Lanka Chapter help us achieve our association’s primary goal – to promote leading management practices that will ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information resources.”

The primary goal of the ISSA is to promote best management practices through its chapter networks, international conferences, local chapter seminars, workshops, peer networks, educational programmes, training and other activities. The organisation has created a professional network that extends throughout the world for participation and communication among the ISSA’s large membership, which helps maintain its position as the Global Voice of Information Security.  The ISSA chapter in Sri Lanka will aim to provide educational forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance knowledge, skill and professional growth. Members include practitioners at all levels of the security field in a broad range of industries such as communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and government.

Commenting on the formation of the chapter, President Pathirage stated that “The fast growing economy of Sri Lanka will soon turn into a knowledge economy based on information society, which is the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This creates greater opportunities for information security professionals with the emerging need of Security Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) requirements in both the public and private sector organisations in the country. The ISSA Sri Lanka chapter is ready to bring all security professionals into one umbrella and develop the profession that is on par with international standards.”  

Clarifying on the (ISC)² and CISSP examinations, he stated that ISSA is one of the founder member organisations of (ISC)² and ISSA international is closely associated with (ISC)². He further stated that the Chapter will be working closely with SLCERT, (ISC)², EC-Council, universities and other professional security training organisations to promote the profession in Sri Lanka. In addition all ISSA Chapter activities will be eligible to CPE credits.

The Board Members of the chapter include Thilak J. Pathirage (Seylan Bank)- President; Dr. T.N. Kasun de Zoysa (UCSC) - Vice President; Rukshan Bharatha (SJMS Associates) - Secretary; Saman Thilakasiri (Singer Sri Lanka) - Treasurer; Dhammika Dasa (Aitken Spence) - Assistant Treasurer; Channa de Silva  (Microsoft) - Communications Director; Ajith Wijayasundara (Commercial Bank) - Educational Director; Chamindra de Silva (Virtusa) - Membership Director; Tyrell Fernando (PricewaterhouseCoopers) - Vendor Relationships Director.  The Association will work very closely with the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, represented by Jayantha Fernando, and Sri Lanka CERT, represented by Lal Dias as board members.  Additionally, Dr. R. B. Ekanayake, board director of ICTA and a veteran in the ICT industry is in the advisory board of the Chapter.

Stressing the importance of setting up a local chapter of ISSA Jayantha Fernando, Director, ICTA and the Vice Chairman of ICANN states that “This fulfills a longstanding requirement of the ICT industry as security professionals were not working together as a community. On behalf of ICTA, I am glad to be associated with ISSA to strengthen the area of information security, which is a fundamental requirement for the ICT industry’s success. I would like to extend my appreciation for the founders who were involved in setting up the local chapter while encourage everybody who wishes to be a security professional to join and contribute to this historical initiative.”

The members will get the opportunity to join various focus groups and subcommittees as well as play a leadership role within the association. Those who are interested in joining the local chapter are kindly advised to contact Chamindra de Silva or visit www.issa.org for more information.