Women in Cyber: Jill Macmurchy talks resilience and diversity

Jill Macmurchy's career in IT and leadership roles spans over a whopping two decades. She is now making big moves as the APAC Chief Customer Officer at Commvault -  a big inspiration to many women in the industry.

In this role, she is focused on helping customers build resilience into their data and technology platforms, ensuring that when challenges arise, businesses can recover swiftly.

TechDay spoke with Macmurchy ahead of International Women in Cyber Day.

"With over two decades in IT and leadership roles, I've made it my mission to build dynamic teams that not only meet but exceed expectations," she expressed.

"At Commvault, the goal of our team is to help our customers across APAC build resiliency into their data and technology platforms to ensure that if or when something happens, their business can bounce back as quickly as possible."

Macmurchy's experience as a woman in the cybersecurity industry has not been without challenges.

She acknowledged that balancing career ambitions with personal life can be a "delicate act, particularly for women." However, she also emphasised the importance of resilience and perseverance in overcoming these obstacles.

"Being a technology business leader is a delicate balancing act, particularly for ambitious women who are navigating the complexities of both career and personal life," she noted.

For Macmurchy, challenges are opportunities in disguise. She believes that a culture of transparency and openness is essential for professional growth, creating an environment where individuals feel valued and encouraged. This, in turn, builds confidence and supports success.

"Growth comes from confronting fears, and being in an organisation that promotes continuous learning and embraces mistakes as part of the process enables professionals to navigate challenges effectively and reach their full potential," she said.

As the CCO for APAC, Macmurchy's role involves ensuring that customer needs are met in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

She credited her "exceptional team" and Commvault's market leadership in cyber resilience for their success in meeting these needs.

"We solve our customer challenges by adopting a customer-centric approach while staying ahead of technology trends," she explained. This involves anticipating technological advancements, engaging regularly with customers to understand their unique demands, and fostering agility to adapt quickly to new developments.

Macmurchy stressed the importance of building strong relationships with key stakeholders and tailoring solutions to specific needs and preferences. She highlighted the value of continuous improvement and cross-industry collaboration, which enhance Commvault's ability to address emerging data threats.

"Since joining Commvault, I've witnessed firsthand how crucial it is to simplify the complexities of our data-driven world," she added.

Mentorship has played a significant role in Macmurchy's career. She recounted the early opportunities she received, which she believes set the foundation for her success. "One particular leader saw the potential in me and provided the opportunity for me to relocate to Australia to build a professional services team. Twenty years later, I am still here and incredibly grateful for that opportunity."

She emphasised the importance of mentorship in fostering growth, particularly for women in the IT and technology sectors. A mentor, she explained, can provide networking opportunities, offer valuable development insights, and serve as a role model. "Mentoring is imperative to foster growth in women, particularly in the IT and technology sector," she highlighted.

Diversity and inclusion, particularly at leadership levels, are critical for innovation and growth, according to Macmurchy.

She urged companies to take responsibility for driving diversity, equity, and inclusion, noting that diversity has a direct impact on a company's ability to innovate and grow. "Having people from all walks of life helps to break out of groupthink," she said. This diversity, she argued, is key for business development, especially in a traditionally male-dominated industry like technology.

To build a diverse workforce, Macmurchy advocated for a top-down approach where leaders set the right tone and foundation for a purpose-filled workplace culture. She believes that getting more diversity into the pool of available employees is key to fast-tracking equality in the business community.

"It is vital to create a culture that is inclusive by showing appreciation, rewarding good work, and giving equal pay and benefits," she explained. This, she added, requires a radical change in thinking for many companies, as businesses must challenge stereotypes and bring awareness to unconscious biases.

Discussing the evolving cyber threat landscape in the APAC region, Macmurchy noted that it has changed rapidly and will continue to do so. She pointed out that major data breaches and cyber-attacks occur almost daily, with Artificial Intelligence playing a significant role in both attack methods and defence strategies.

"Commvault helps our customers to be 'cyber resilient'," she said, explaining that this involves a comprehensive approach to cyber resilience that goes beyond pure defence.

Balancing a demanding role with personal life is a challenge Macmurchy knows well. She shared her approach to managing work-life balance, stressing the importance of setting boundaries and prioritising what matters most.

"Work-life balance for me is giving work the time and attention that it needs while making sure that my daughter gets the love and attention she needs," she said.

Macmurchy also ensures she takes time for herself, including daily walks with her energetic dog.

For women aspiring to leadership roles in cybersecurity, particularly in the APAC region, Macmurchy's advice is clear: find a great mentor, build your skills, and don't be afraid to apply for the roles you want.

"There are plenty of opportunities out there, so don't give up."