Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical function—it’s a business-critical priority. As enterprises navigate an environment of increasingly sophisticated threats, the role of cyber leadership has evolved into a strategic linchpin for operational resilience and trust.
At the forefront of this transformation is the Global Cyber Operations leader. This role leads mission-critical security initiatives designed to protect organizations from a spectrum of cyber threats. Its mandate spans threat intelligence, proactive defense strategies, customer security operations, and aligning global teams across time zones and technologies.
The EVP of Cyber Operations is more than a leadership title—it’s a command post. From overseeing security operations centers to managing crisis response during active breaches, Robert ensures that Deepwatch not only detects and responds to cyber threats but does so with speed, precision, and intelligence. His work sits at the intersection of innovation, people, and protection, where the stakes are high, and the margin for error is razor thin.
In this exclusive feature, we step inside a typical day as the EVP of Global Cyber Operations leader. What does it take to lead a global cybersecurity team? How do you stay ahead of AI-powered threats? And how do you balance operational intensity with human connection? Robert shares his approach, philosophies, and insights that drive one of the industry’s trusted cyber defense teams.
Also Read: A Day in the Life of a VP Product and Design at IBM Cloud
The Morning Begins with Intelligence, Not Just Emails
Willis doesn’t waste time with pleasantries in the morning—he dives straight into three critical Slack channels that shape his day’s trajectory.
The SOC channel gives me a pulse on critical incidents overnight. Community Immunity alerts me to global cybersecurity events, and our Customer Escalations channel ensures no concern is left unaddressed.
This early scan helps Robert prioritize, triage, and anticipate what the day might throw at his team.
Decisions in Real-Time: Leading Through High-Stakes Moments
Cybersecurity doesn’t deal in 9-to-5 windows. For Willis, critical decision-making occurs in unpredictable bursts. Whether it’s a customer breach, a service-impacting issue, or an urgent escalation, he’s often stepping into a 60-minute sprint where clarity, control, and communication are key.
“These aren’t just pressure moments—they’re defining ones. Our ability to respond decisively is what sets us apart.”
Building an Aligned, Agile Cyber Force
One of the unique challenges of Robert’s role is managing a global, hybrid team. With employees working across different continents and in varied time zones, maintaining alignment and cohesion can be challenging. Robert’s solution is a well-structured cadence of communication—one that ensures transparency, collaboration, and shared vision.
“We meet weekly to align on tactical issues, monthly for operational updates, and quarterly for full-team sync-ups. But the one meeting I absolutely never miss is the one-on-ones with my team. That’s where real trust is built,” Robert shares.
These one-on-one meetings may seem simple, but they are an integral part of Robert’s leadership philosophy. It’s where he gets to know his team members beyond their technical expertise—understanding their challenges, offering guidance, and fostering a culture of trust. In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a foundational element of success.
Leadership, Robert believes, is about developing people. It’s about recognizing their potential and empowering them to take ownership of their roles. This approach, coupled with operational rigor, ensures that Deepwatch’s cyber operations can scale and respond to threats, no matter where in the world they occur.
AI-Powered Threats: A New Age of Cyber Risk
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. AI-driven attacks have emerged as one of the most significant threats in the cybersecurity landscape today. Whether through automated phishing schemes, malware deployment, or deepfake technology, adversaries are increasingly using AI to enhance the scale, complexity, and impact of their attacks.
“This is one of the biggest challenges we face today,” Robert acknowledges. “AI is a double-edged sword. While it’s helping us defend against attacks, it’s also empowering attackers to operate at an unprecedented scale.”
At Deepwatch, the response to this growing threat is twofold: proactive defense and adaptive response. By leveraging AI and machine learning, Robert and his team are continuously refining their ability to detect anomalies, analyze large volumes of data, and automate responses. Real-time threat detection, intelligent automation, and adaptive responses are not just buzzwords; they are the tools that enable Deepwatch to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.
However, Robert is quick to point out that AI should not replace human judgment—it should complement it. “Technology will handle the scale, but humans will always be necessary for the strategy,” he says. In this way, Deepwatch’s cyber defense capabilities combine human expertise with advanced technology to maintain an effective and agile defense strategy.
The Culture of Proactivity and Preparedness
Proactivity is deeply embedded in Deepwatch’s cybersecurity culture. But as any cybersecurity expert knows, preparedness is just as essential. It’s not enough to rely on technology alone to detect threats—you need a response plan that’s ready to go the moment an issue arises.
Robert’s approach balances both: he emphasizes that the best defense is always ahead of the curve. Through a mix of continuous threat intelligence, real-time monitoring, and automated detection, Deepwatch is always on the lookout for emerging risks, but when something goes wrong, the team is trained to respond swiftly and efficiently.
“Proactivity doesn’t mean preventing everything—it means having a plan in place to handle whatever comes your way,” Robert says.
This culture of readiness is further supported by deep investments in training, simulation exercises, and incident response drills. By constantly refining their response strategies and protocols, Deepwatch ensures that when a breach or attack happens, their team is ready to act.
The Human Side of Cybersecurity Leadership
Cybersecurity is often seen as a technical challenge, but Robert Willis believes it’s just as much about people as it is about systems. He views his role not just as a manager of operations but as a mentor and coach to his team.
“Watching people grow—seeing them gain new skills, take on bigger challenges, and develop as professionals—that’s what keeps me going,” Robert reflects. “At the end of the day, cybersecurity is about people. It’s about ensuring that the right mindset, trust, and culture are in place to tackle the complex challenges we face.”
But leadership doesn’t stop at the team level. Robert recognizes the importance of work-life balance and personal well-being in an industry that’s often defined by its constant demands. He maintains a disciplined fitness routine and sets boundaries to ensure that he is always operating at his best, both mentally and physically.
Also Read: A Day in the Life of a VP & CISO at Zscaler
The Future of Cybersecurity: An AI-Centric Evolution
Looking ahead, Robert sees a rapidly changing landscape where AI and automation will increasingly take center stage in cybersecurity. As AI-driven threats continue to proliferate, the role of cybersecurity professionals will evolve toward a more strategic, AI-supported framework. However, human judgment will continue to be indispensable, particularly in areas where nuanced decision-making is required.
“The next three to five years will redefine what we think of as a secure digital environment,” Robert predicts. “AI will handle the volume, scale, and speed. But human expertise will drive the strategic decisions that will protect our most valuable assets.”
The fusion of AI, advanced analytics, and human judgment will transform how enterprises protect their critical assets, streamline their operations, and ultimately maintain trust with their customers.
Conclusion:
Robert Willis doesn’t just manage cyber operations—he orchestrates them with a blend of urgency, humanity, and foresight. In an era where threats evolve by the minute, his ability to stay grounded while steering innovation makes him a defining voice in enterprise cybersecurity.
Stay tuned for more executive insights in our “A Day in the Life” series, only on CIO Influence.
