“We have a long-term commitment to the secure digitalization of Colombian companies” –Jennifer Suárez

Jennifer Suárez is Country Manager of Telefónica Tech in Colombia. She is responsible for leading and directing the company's operations in the country and for establishing and executing the business strategy for the Colombian market.

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Tell us a bit about yourself: Who are you and what do you do?

I am Jennifer Suárez, Country Manager of Telefónica Tech in Colombia. I have taken on the challenge of leading the overall strategy of Telefónica Tech in my country since July this year, developing the business and managing a team with great potential. It is a privilege for me to take on this challenge and support Colombian companies in their digital transformation process.

I have worked in different areas throughout my 18 years in the Telefónica Group, acquiring a 360-degree vision of the company. This experience allows me to offer our customers all the capabilities, adapting to technology and achieving business results in different business sectors.

What is your specialization? How did you end up doing what you do?

I began my professional career at the Universidad Piloto de Colombia, where I graduated as a telecommunications engineer. Shortly after, I had the privilege of joining the Telefónica team in Colombia as a process analyst.

Telefónica's culture always encourages us to challenge ourselves personally and professionally, so in my everyday life I always seek to expand my knowledge and adapt it to the needs of our customers. For this reason, I specialized in Telecommunications Business Management at the Universidad de los Andes while assuming a new role in the area of processes, quality and change management, where I worked for three years.

I have had the opportunity to grow in different roles and areas within the company throughout my career, developing a deep passion for the business network of Colombia.

Today, as Country Manager of Telefónica Tech in Colombia, I can continue learning and also bring my experience to an exceptional team, focused on supporting the digital transformation of our customers and protecting their digital assets.

Was it clear to you from an early age that you wanted to pursue a career in technology?

Dedicating myself to the world of technology and telecommunications has always been aspirational due to the lack of women in this field. Since I was a child, I have always wanted to stand out in the technological field and generate a positive impact in the business environment.

My innate curiosity has always motivated me to seek opportunities to learn and get closer to the world of technology.

What kind of challenges have you faced when taking on this position? How has your training and experience helped you?

Corporate positions always pose challenges. The first is to lead the team to identify the best talent, enrich it with different profiles and motivate it to meet our customers' expectations.

I believe that diversity is essential to enrich a team: it fosters empathy, collaboration, and creative problem solving. This drives innovation and effectiveness in our technology solutions. Telefónica Tech particularly promotes the #WomenWithTech initiative to make visible the female talent we have in the company and support women with a technological spirit and a desire to develop their careers in STEAM professions.

Another daily challenge is to turn complex situations into opportunities by applying our knowledge, the right processes, and the best technology. We also need to strengthen education and training in this area, given the lack of visibility of digital talent.

We address Cyber Security and the protection of corporate data effectively to strengthen our customers' trust.

What have been your main objectives since you took up your position as Country Manager?

Since I became Country Manager, my main objectives have been to support the management and protection of the digital assets of companies in Colombia. We are focused on providing companies, organizations, and public administrations with access to the latest digital technologies, along with the necessary professional capabilities to achieve a secure and effective digital transformation.

I am proud of Telefónica's recognition in Omdia's “Telco-to-Techco Strategies Benchmark” report as the company in Europe and the Americas leading the way in its transformation from a telecommunications company to a technology company. This recognition validates our commitment to digital transformation, offering our customers advanced solutions in Cyber Security, Cloud, Business Applications, advanced data analytics, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, among others.

This recognition reflects our focus on innovation and our determination to achieve ambitious goals that help our customers transform their businesses.

How do you assess the current state of digitalization in Colombia and what are the main challenges faced by companies and administrations in this process?

Colombia has made significant progress in digitalization; however, both public administrations and businesses face important challenges. The digital gap remains a critical problem, especially between urban and rural areas, limiting equitable access to technologies. The digital infrastructure also requires improvements in quality and speed to support advanced applications.

According to NCSI (National Cyber Security Index), Colombia has a low level of analysis and information on cyber threats, cyber crisis management, and contribution to global Cyber Security. Although the country has made progress in its digitalization process, it is essential to overcome these challenges in order to achieve a secure, inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

The digital gap between urban and rural areas limits equitable access to technologies.

What particular measures has Telefónica Tech implemented to ensure the security of its customers' data in Colombia?

Telefónica Tech offers Colombian companies and organizations the most innovative technologies backed up by a global team of highly trained professionals.

Our portfolio of advanced NextDefense Cyber Security solutions offers threat protection, threat intelligence, and incident response. These advanced solutions detect, prevent, and mitigate cyberattacks, protecting endpoints, networks, and applications with the latest technology. We also provide global threat data analysis, 24/7 support, and Cyber Security consulting and training.

Telefónica Tech's Digital Operations Center is based in Madrid and Bogotá.

Our Digital Operations Center (DOC) allows us to monitor and manage our customers' digital infrastructure in real time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We also have a global network of Security Operations Centers (SOC) that guarantee continuous surveillance and immediate response to any security incident, allowing us to offer a proactive and effective approach to the protection of our customers' systems and digital assets.

How is Telefónica Tech preparing for emerging and evolving cyber threats?

Telefónica Tech's 2,500 professionals are continuously trained, updated, and certified only in the field of Cyber Security.

We also have a strong partner ecosystem that gives us access to a wide range of market-leading solutions and technologies, strengthening our ability to address any security challenge with confidence and agility.

Our professionals are always up to date with the latest Cyber Security technologies and strategies, allowing us to offer innovative and effective solutions to protect our customers' data.

In the field of cyber intelligence, we stand out for adopting advanced technologies and collaborating with national and international organizations, as well as with industry leaders.

What kind of collaboration does Telefónica Tech have with other companies and government entities in the field of Cyber Security?

Telefónica Tech collaborates with private companies and government entities to strengthen Cyber Security. We implement advanced solutions that protect critical infrastructures and sensitive data, promoting the exchange of information on emerging threats and vulnerabilities to be better prepared for cyberattacks.

Telefónica Tech offers Cyber Security consulting and training services that help our customers improve their skills and knowledge.

We also conduct joint Cyber Security exercises with different entities where we simulate cyberattacks to evaluate response capabilities and improve defense strategies. These exercises help identify weaknesses and develop more robust protocols for managing security incidents.

What are your plans for further growth in Colombia?

We are developing ambitious plans to expand our presence in Colombia. These strategies include significant investments in professionals and in the latest Cyber Security and cloud infrastructure.

We are also designing technical training programs for local talent to develop and foster local talent. This expansion not only reinforces our commitment to Colombia's economic and secure growth, but also positions us as a key long-term player in the region.

We are designing technical training programs to develop and nurture local talent.

How do you balance your position of high responsibility with your personal life?

Having a high professional responsibility is not an impediment to having a personal life. I perform my tasks professionally, taking advantage of interpersonal relationships with my team, customers and allies.

I also create my own family and sport spaces that complement my work. Organization and prioritization are essential. I use time management tools to stay focused and productive, allowing me to disconnect.

Practicing activities that I am passionate about recharges my energy and keeps my mind clear, ready to take on my responsibilities in all areas of my life.