Meet the frontline: Stuart, Head of Information Security

Monday 11 May 2020

Despite being at the forefront of fighting covid-19, doctors and nurses are not the only essential workers clocking in each day to see Jersey through the crisis.

From waste disposal workers and cleaners to civil servants and volunteers, the weekly applause from doorsteps around the world encompasses the essentially employed across all sectors.

As people everywhere discover a new-found appreciation for those carrying out essential work, this month’s special online-only edition of CONNECT magazine strives to do exactly that; introducing Jersey to the faces on the frontline.

In a series of interviews called ‘Meet the frontline’, Express has asked the same questions to different ‘frontliners’ about their experiences in the midst of this health crisis. 

We’ve already heard from a GP, a teacher and a critical care manager, and now it’s the turn of Stuart Powell, who is Head of Information Security for the Government of Jersey...

Describe a ’typical’ day for you, dealing with covid-19…

My day typically revolves around email and Microsoft Team Meetings (working 100% remotely) driving various activities to manage Information Security risks, and includes:

• catching up on any overnight events;
• meeting the team for the 0900 (virtual) stand-up to discuss the day’s activities and set priorities;
• sitting in on design calls to support initiatives from across the business that directly support the COVID-19 response;
• responding and advising on security incidents as they happen to protect government services;
• directing the Cyber Programme to balance longer term improvements with shorter term fixes;
• managing limited resources to where they can be most effective to directly or indirectly support the other departments in their work.

What would you like more / less of?

Fewer meetings and more time… probably the typical response from anyone in crisis management, but realistically more of the same in terms of teamwork and pulling together.

What’s been your abiding memory / image / event of the pandemic so far?

Watching for the first time the applause and cheering in support of our frontline workers, it really showed the unity of people at this unbelievable time. I found it very moving.

Pictured: "It really showed the unity of people at this unbelievable time."

How do you keep going when work gets tough?

Knowing your job contributes to a larger goal for the betterment of the island has to be the single motivating factor for any civil servant, even more so when responding to a crisis.

Enjoying your job clearly helps keep one motivated when things are tough, but working at 120% all day, every day, is hard. However, when you consider what our frontline colleagues are faced with, you just get your head down and get it done; it won’t be for ever. 

What do you hope this crisis will change?

I hope that the efforts of all workers that support the COVID-19 response get the recognition from the public they serve. No one turns up to work to do a bad job and I think we’re seeing some real unsung heroes from across the public sector. These are tough times and if we can keep the Island running with minimal interruption during this then I hope the value of the public service will be truly recognised.

READ MORE...

• Dr David Howell, GP at the Urgent Treatment Centre
• Sasha Baker, teacher
• Sam North, Critical Care Manager for Health and Community Services

This interview appeared in this month's special edition of Connect magazine. Available online only, CLICK HERE to read it in full.