ISSA-Sri Lanka Chapter – The newest addition to Global Information System Security Association

The global voice of information security professionals is now in Sri Lanka

Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) announced and welcomed the recently-formed Sri Lanka chapter to its strong worldwide network, spanning 170 countries.

ISSA is a not-for-profit international organisation of information security professionals and practitioners containing 140 active chapters and reaching over 13,000 security professionals. The ISSA community provides a forum for practitioners to enhance their knowledge, skills and leadership roles in information security.

Its members are consistently recognised as experts on critical issues in all areas of information security, and the group is seen as an important resource for all kinds of business organisations, global enterprises, banking and financial services sector and government organisations. The Colombo Chapter was mentored and founded by Thilak Pathirage of Seylan Bank, the incumbent President, with a team of security experts in the country.   Applauding the Sri Lankan initiative, Kevin L. Richards, President of the ISSA international stated: “It is with great excitement that I welcome the ISSA Sri Lanka – Colombo Chapter to the ISSA International chapter network. As ISSA Chapter founders, your hard work and dedication helps expand the pre-eminent global community of information security professionals by helping us serve a new community of ISSA members.

The ISSA chapter in Sri Lanka will aim to provide educational forums, publications and peer interaction opportunities that enhance knowledge, skill and professional growth. Members include practitioners at all levels of the security field in a broad range of industries such as communications, education, healthcare, manufacturing, financial and government.

Commenting on the formation of the chapter, President Pathirage stated: “The fast growing economy of Sri Lanka will soon turn into a knowledge economy based on an information society, which is the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This creates greater opportunities for information security professionals with the emerging need of Security Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) requirements in both public and private sector organisations in the country. The ISSA Sri Lanka chapter is ready to bring all security professional into one umbrella and develop the profession that is on par with international standards.” The Board Members of the chapter include Thilak J. Pathirage (Seylan Bank) – President; Dr. T.N. Kasun de Zoysa (UCSC) – Vice President; Rukshan Bharatha (SJMS Associates) – Secretary;  Saman Thilakasiri (Singer Sri Lanka) – Treasurer; Dhammika Dasa (Aitken Spence) – Assistant Treasurer;  Channa de Silva  (Microsoft) – Communications Director;  Ajith Wijayasundara (Commercial Bank) – Educational Director;  Chamindra de Silva (Virtusa) – Membership Director;  and Tyrell Fernando (PricewaterhouseCoopers) – Vendor Relationships Director.

The Association will work very closely with the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka, represented by Jayantha Fernando, and Sri Lanka CERT, represented by Lal Dias as board members.  Additionally, Dr. R. B. Ekanayake, Board Director of ICTA and a veteran in the ICT industry, is in the advisory board of the Chapter.