Annys Sattin’s career journey with CGI is a testament to how taking ownership of her development, applying creativity to new challenges, and receiving ongoing support have fuelled her success. With CGI’s supportive culture, she has been able to continuously develop her expertise while helping clients navigate complex cyber security challenges.
December 2024
Can you share a bit about your background and how you initially joined CGI?
I left home at 19 and joined the Royal Air Force to be an Intelligence Analyst and as part of my various roles whilst serving I was fortunate enough to be posted to the Joint Cyber Unit where we were in the early stages of working out how ‘Cyber’ would play a role in modern warfare, both offensive and defensive. This was a really engaging role, and as I didn’t want to end up being posted to another area of intelligence, I made the decision to leave the Military in 2016. I went to work for a small cyber security firm founded by former colleagues and managers which is where I got a crash course in wider and broader cyber security functions and information assurance. By 2018, I had grown the role into my own as an Operations Manager within the consultancy side of the business, but I needed a new challenge with new opportunities, which is when I found CGI.
You left and returned to CGI, what skills or insights did you gain during your time away and how have you brought them to your role in Cyber security at CGI?
I worked for just over the year with another firm with a cyber security role, which was perfect for me at the perfect time. During my now affectionately termed ‘gap year’ I realised that the variety in clients, projects, and locations, is what drives me. Whilst stability and longevity in a role will provide an in-depth understanding of a client and their security requirements and deliverables, it also lacks a change of pace, and imagination. During my time away I upskilled in IT and cyber security delivery, stakeholder engagement, information assurance audits and cloud technologies. With the variety of new skills and my insight into working with a single client, I can now apply longer-term strategic thinking and short-term innovative thinking to shorter-term engagements and different clients with CGI. I thrive on the change and challenge of some of the requirements and I like the analytical thinking my past has given me and the knowledge of technologies that I am constantly learning and applying to provide changes that work towards a long-term security strategy.
How would you describe the culture and camaraderie within the Cyber security team at CGI?
CGI has the culture to help me on my career journey, everyone is a “CGI Partner” (employees are known as “CGI Partners” and are encouraged to invest in the company’s generous share scheme) and we all work towards the same dream and vision. The Cyber Security team at CGI fosters a supportive and collaborative environment, where knowledge sharing and continuous learning are encouraged. There is a strong sense of unity and mutual respect among team members, which creates a positive and productive work atmosphere. The organisation also provides various opportunities for professional development and growth, allowing individuals to expand their skills and expertise in the field of cyber security. Overall, the culture and camaraderie within the Cyber Security team at CGI are key elements that contribute to the success and effectiveness of the team in delivering high-quality solutions to clients.
What values do you think CGI embodies, and how have these influenced your work?
CGI embodies many values which aligned with my own, but I always recognise the following values at various stages of every engagement: Partnership and Quality, we work together with our security team, our colleagues, our clients and strategic alliance partners to deliver quality for our clients in everything we do. Respect, everyone is working together to achieve, and everyone is given a voice and an opportunity to contribute. Intrapreneurship and Sharing, everyone is driven to look for new and innovative ways to deliver. When working with professionals in every area and sector of CGI business, sharing previous experience and ideas and sharing new ideas in a collaborative way, with the change of pace in technology, it gives me confidence to think and talk about delivering cyber security services in a more agile way. CGI also embodies giving back to our communities – with corporate and social responsibility initiatives, we work closely with so many sectors and our clients to do good in our communities. If that’s providing some training and education on cyber security by touring our Cyber Escape Room around the country, to cleaning our rivers and canals, planting trees to work towards environmental goals, and ensuring sea grass is on our coasts, there is opportunity to get involved to help in our local area.
What are you most looking forward to when it comes to your future at CGI?
I am excited for a (hopefully) long and bright future at CGI, continuously developing as a cyber security consultant and progressing to senior leadership roles. I am looking forward to working on innovative and cutting-edge projects that will continue to challenge and allow me to contribute to the growth and success of CGI. I am eager to work with a diverse team and learn from their expertise, as well as share my own knowledge and skills to help drive the company forward. Overall, I am looking forward to a fulfilling and rewarding career at CGI, where I can continue to grow and make a meaningful impact in the field of cyber security.
Find out more about cyber careers at CGI and see whether we have any opportunities for you.
