Editor’s note: During Volunteer Appreciation Week, the ISACA Now blog is spotlighting an ISACA volunteer each day of the week. Today, we feature Joyce Chua, a technology leader who pioneers and manages information security, data management and privacy operations in Singapore. Find out more about volunteering at ISACA through the Engage online community.
Joyce Chua is a self-described “multi-potentialite and problem solver,” based on her ability to excel in multiple different fields. She is currently First Vice President at UOB Group, heading data controls, assurance, protection and confidentiality, and she has shined in numerous fields in the past.
“I was a software engineer and subsequently developed in the security, GRC and then privacy fields,” Joyce says. “During my career, I would not settle for current processes. I would identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions and processes.”
ISACA has played a role in Chua’s career journey since she was an aspiring consultant and was asked to take the CISA exam to join an audit team. “It was my first international membership,” she says. “My impressions of ISACA were that it is very organized and provided us a channel to grow professionally through proper educational programs and certifications.”
Since then, ISACA has become a part of Chua’s day-to-day work life. “My day-to-day work is attending meetings and working with stakeholders to execute initiatives or improve their processes. In this context, ISACA has played a crucial role, especially the COBIT framework. I am able to converse with the stakeholders about technical issues, business risks and control requirements, and bridging them all together.”
After learning more about the volunteer program through ISACA’s website, Chua was interested in earning CPEs and reviewing books via the publication committee. She was also able to contribute to white papers as well as framework and article reviews.
“It makes me very proud to see my name being mentioned,” Chua says. “I learned a lot. I am able to understand various topics in depth and am able to expand my horizon to learn new things.”
Chua encourages anyone who is considering volunteering at ISACA to start small. As an introvert, she began by prioritizing volunteer work that required less interaction, such as reviewing articles and books. She then moved to an advisory board and taskforce, which “forced” her to speak and helped her grow in the long-run.
Outside of reading articles from the ISACA website and Journal, Chua enjoys reading books on self-improvement. She also loves to cook Chinese herbal soup, and as a vegetarian, she always ensures it is full of mushrooms and green vegetables with a good portion of Chinese herbs.
“I want to say that ISACA is the most valuable association I have joined, and I am proud to say I am a Gold member,” she said.