Chema Alonso, from Telefónica
The computer expert who seeks to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity
In a context where cybersecurity and data privacy on the web are increasingly questioned, the role of outreach and the work of Chema Alonso, head of data at Telefónica, becomes more necessary and valuable to protect the user.
Chema Alonso, head of data at Telefónica, was appointed to the position in mid-2016. From this role, Alonso is responsible for the strategy of Big Data, advertising, and the “fourth platform,” departments in continuous development in recent years and likely in the coming years at the Spanish telecommunications multinational.
Chema Alonso and his role as an educator
But above all, Alonso is a great promoter of “ethical hacking” and the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world.
He holds a Doctorate in Computer Security from the Rey Juan Carlos University and is a Technical Engineer in Computer Systems from the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
From the start, Chema Alonso’s attire draws attention, being far from the suited style of most multinational executives: his cap and cotton t-shirts stand out among the usual clothing of company staff.
However, his role as an educator has led him to participate in numerous talks, forums, and some of the most important sector gatherings as an expert in cybersecurity.
Chema Alonso has also appeared on widely viewed programs such as El Hormiguero, where he demonstrated the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of computer systems.
As he himself said in the interview, he does not distinguish between “good and bad hackers” but rather between “hackers and cybercriminals.”
In this other appearance on the program Salvados, Chema Alonso explained to the host Jordi Évole how easy it was for a programmer to access the Facebook or any social network accounts of people who had connected to a public network;
From his Youtube channel and social networks, it could be said that Chema Alonso, besides his executive role at Telefónica, carries out activism to try to clear up some doubts about the security problems that exist on the internet and to teach users how to take the necessary precautions.
In this video, for example, Alonso explains the reasons why hackers and computer experts cover their webcams;
Additionally, Chema Alonso was the founder and CEO (chief executive officer) of Eleven Paths, the Telefónica Digital subsidiary focused on innovation in security products.
ElevenPaths is the department that oversees Telefónica’s cybersecurity worldwide and aims to build a “safer digital world” to guide companies in their process of digital transformation and to which it wants to add privacy.
To this end, the company collaborates with organizations such as the European Commission, CyberThreat Alliance, ECSO, Europol, Incibe, and the Organization of American States (OAS) and defines itself as a blend of “the freshness and energy” of a start-up and “the knowledge and strength” of Telefónica.
Chema Alonso: more projects at Telefónica
Another project Chema Alonso is involved in is the technical security and hacking book publisher 0xWord, which he owns.
These manuals, along with his activity in talks and networks, are part of Chema Alonso’s style, who has not hesitated to stand in front of the camera to teach interested people how to start hacking and to explore and dive into the web to learn the weak points of a network that handles an exponentially growing volume of data every day.
On the other hand, from his blog “A computer expert on the dark side,” Chema Alonso comments on current events in the cybersecurity sector, shares curious facts, recommends readings about computer systems and software processes, new malicious software or malware that has appeared recently, and much more...
The executive is also responsible for managing the construction and launch of AURA, Telefónica’s artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive platform with which the company wants to establish a “new way of relating” with its customers.
