South East Asia’s digital economy is growing at an unprecedented pace, and with it comes increasingly complex cyber threats. Organizations across the region are navigating challenges from sophisticated nation-state actors, ransomware campaigns, and cloud security risks. Leading the charge in building resilient cyber defenses are the region’s top CISOs, whose strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership are shaping the future of cybersecurity across industries.
Here are the CISOs to Watch in South East Asia:
Alexander Antukh — Chief Information Security Officer, AboitizPower, Philippines
Alexander Antukh is an award-winning cybersecurity leader with over 15 years of experience across tech unicorns, consultancies, and global financial institutions. He currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at AboitizPower, the Philippines’ largest power producer, and sits on the Board of the FAIR Institute, advancing cyber risk quantification.
He completed his Executive MBA cum laude and actively supports nonprofits promoting education and equality. Outside work, Your Majesty enjoys brewing tea, playing chess, exploring philosophical ideas, and new technologies like AI and generative machine learning.
Andri Purnomo — Chief Information Security Officer, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk, Indonesia
A visionary CISO with over two decades of experience, Andri Purnomo has dedicated his career to building resilient cybersecurity frameworks that empower businesses to thrive digitally. He is recognized for strategic leadership in information security, risk management, and compliance with international standards such as ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS.
Key achievements include being named among ASEAN and Hong Kong’s Top 30 CSOs (2021–2023) and one of the Top 20 Global Security Influencers by IFSec London in 2022. Andri is also a mentor and regular speaker on emerging threats and defense strategies.
Christopher Lek — Director, Cyber Security, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Christopher Lek brings over 20 years of experience across telecommunications, finance, and global conglomerates. As Director of Cyber Security at NTU, he has transformed the university’s cybersecurity posture.
Christopher has been inducted into the CSO ASEAN Security Council (2024) and previously earned the CSO ASEAN 30 Award for three consecutive years. He also serves as Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic Cyberspace + International Studies (CSCIS) and on the Executive Committee of SingAREN, enhancing security for the research and education sector.
Firdaus Juhari — Vice President, Technology and Cyber Risk Management, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Malaysia
Firdaus Juhari leads technology and cyber risk governance, ensuring alignment with business priorities and regulatory requirements. He has operationalized enterprise-wide cybersecurity policies and completed a comprehensive cybersecurity transformation program.
His work includes cross-functional training programs that enhance security culture, reduce phishing incidents, and improve risk management strategy across the organization. Firdaus also mentors teams and drives proactive incident response and crisis management.
Sam Goh — Strategic Advisor & Field CISO, Protos Labs, Thailand
Sam Goh leverages 25 years of cybersecurity experience across retail banking, consulting, and management advisory roles to help organizations mature their cyber threat intelligence (CTI) programs.
Through Protos Labs, he implements AI-driven CTI platforms and holistic intelligence programs that improve speed, quality, and cost efficiency. Sam views cybersecurity as a specialist team sport and works as a coach and trusted advisor to integrate cyber, data science, and AI into pragmatic business solutions.
Stephanie Liew — Chief Information Security Officer, BAT, Asia Pacific
Stephanie Liew oversees cybersecurity across 50+ markets spanning Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Reporting directly to the Global CISO, she drives cyber resilience strategies tailored to regional business needs.
Her leadership focuses on enabling business growth while maintaining security, implementing risk-based approaches, and cultivating a culture of cyber resilience. Stephanie sees cybersecurity as a business enabler and shares her expertise globally to help organizations scale securely.
Yaroth Chhay — SVP & Head of Information Security Division, ACLEDA Bank Plc., Cambodia
Yaroth Chhay leads the Information Security Division at ACLEDA Bank Plc., strengthening cyber defenses and aligning security strategy with business goals. He has enhanced security architecture, risk management, and incident response capabilities, creating a robust cybersecurity framework.
Holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science and CISO certification, Yaroth drives thought leadership in the sector and actively participates in leading cybersecurity forums to advance the region’s cybersecurity standards.
Leading Cybersecurity Innovation in South East Asia
These CISOs are not only safeguarding critical digital infrastructure but also shaping the future of cyber strategy in South East Asia. Their combined efforts, from advanced threat intelligence to risk management and leadership, demonstrate how visionary leadership can turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage for businesses in the region.