When feeling “insecure”, call Dom: A chat with our cybersecurity chief

When you meet Dominic Sargent, his calm, friendly, and grounded demeanour might surprise you, considering the high-stakes world he operates in. As the Director Global Technology at CXC, Dom supports a global business spread across 26 countries. His daily mission is to ensure the security of a vast network, maintaining the delicate balance between his team’s operational needs and the high expectations of CXC’s global clients.

In this feature, Dom takes us through what it’s like to manage the cybersecurity and tech needs of such a large and diverse remote team, all while balancing client expectations and keeping operations running smoothly for some of the biggest companies in the world.

From Zimbabwe to global leadership: Dom’s journey to CXC

Dom’s path to leading CXC’s global tech team started in Zimbabwe, where he grew up before moving to South Africa for university. After working in recruitment technology and process outsourcing scene, he relocated to Australia in 2008. "I worked on large infrastructure projects in Sydney before joining CXC," Dom recalls.

Over the years, his role evolved from managing IT to encompass security, as the company grew and took on high-profile global clients. Today, Dom leads a team spread across 26 countries, balancing tech innovation with tight security to protect clients’ data worldwide.

No two days are the same: Day in the life of CXC’s Global Director of Technology

Dom’s daily work is anything but monotonous. Each day presents unique challenges that require not just technical expertise but a deep understanding of global operations. One moment, he’s coordinating the delivery of a laptop to a remote worker in India, and the next, he’s updating email credentials for an employee in Vietnam—all while managing everything from his base in Australia. The sheer scope of his responsibilities is astounding—covering multiple time zones and managing countless technical issues while keeping security airtight.

“Expectations from clients are high, especially when you’re working with some of the top companies in the world. You must continuously raise your knowledge and performance to meet these expectations."

Navigating multiple time zones is a constant part of his role, with his day starting early with calls to the US and wrapping up with Europe. "You end up bookending your day," he explains. Despite the long hours, the collaborative nature of his global team and flexible approach keeps things running smoothly. Balancing the time zones, coordinating logistics, and overseeing security protocols are all part of his day-to-day routine, but Dom takes it all in stride.

As Dom puts it:

Testing boundaries is part of the job, and no day is the same. You’ve got to be adaptable and ready for anything but that also makes it fun.

Dom’s key to success: balance and support

When asked how he manages to keep everything running smoothly in such a complex environment, Dom emphasizes one word: “balance”.

‍In cybersecurity, balance is key. You must be able to manage the constant pressure while ensuring that your team is supported.

This balance doesn’t come from working alone—it requires asking for help when needed and relying on governance and risk support systems that are in place to guide decision-making.

Equally important to Dom’s success is “support”. He firmly believes in fostering a team environment where collaboration is encouraged. “There is no success without your teams, and if they aren’t bought into the mission, there will be gaps.” His approach to leadership is grounded in making sure that his team members are not only equipped with the technical skills they need but are also mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. The stakes are high, but Dom’s calm leadership keeps the ship steady, no matter what storm comes their way.

Life isn’t black and white, and nothing is definite

Dom further emphasizes that mistakes are inevitable, and that perfection shouldn’t be the goal: "If you expect perfection, you’ll never actually achieve anything." For Dom, success comes from striking a balance between implementing new solutions and maintaining control over the environment. It’s about dialling things in and understanding that things will go wrong, but it’s how you manage and adapt that matters most.

When reflecting on his 11 years at CXC, Dom identifies his biggest challenge as helping people stay focused amidst their busy schedules. "The reality is, when people are deeply involved in tasks, it’s easy to miss critical details to address this we have introduced quick, 10-minute micro-training sessions every five weeks to keep security top-of-mind without overwhelming anyone.”

I think it’s the people in our business who are our first line of defence, they’re the ones getting the emails, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls. It’s our job to ensure they stay engaged, feel supported, and know we’re behind them if something goes wrong.

Cybersecurity advice for professionals

When it comes to working in cybersecurity, Dom has gathered years of wisdom that he’s eager to share. His advice for individuals in the field includes:

• Be open to learning: The industry evolves fast, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution no silver bullet that fixes everything it is important of remain open to new systems, tools, and certifications. The key to thriving in this constantly evolving space is an openness to new information and staying adaptable to change.
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• Pay attention to details: It’s easy to get caught up in the bigger picture and overlook small things, but those small details can lead to big problems, the devil is in the details. When you're busy with day-to-day work, it’s easy to miss something important if you’re not vigilant.
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• Have a sense of humor: Mistakes are inevitable, and Dom believes in keeping things light. "You’re going to make mistakes. That’s the reality. But the key is to learn from them and keep moving forward. If you expect perfection, you’ll never achieve anything I recall a time when a SharePoint configuration change inadvertently cut off half of the company’s access. You’ve got to laugh about it otherwise; you’ll drive yourself crazy."

Cybersecurity advice for companies hiring global teams

For companies looking to build and manage global cybersecurity teams, Dom has valuable insights:

• Localize your work: Having team members in different regions and all over the world allows you to tap into local expertise and tailor their approach to the unique challenges in each area. A culturally diverse team brings in fresh perspectives, and it’s crucial to adapt your operations regionally.
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• Ensure 24/7 coverage: In cybersecurity, criminals don’t sleep, and neither does security. It is important to maintain 24/7 coverage, ensuring that someone is always monitoring systems for potential threats.
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• First line of defence -your people: Our business users are our first line of defence. The people using the systems every day are the ones who will most often encounter threats, whether it’s phishing emails, suspicious links, or other forms of attack. Ensure that this team remains engaged and trained through micro-training sessions every five weeks, rather than overwhelming them with lengthy quarterly sessions.

Dom Sargent has spent years building a successful career in a field that’s as unpredictable as it is essential. His calm, approachable demeanor combined with his technical expertise makes him a standout leader in the cybersecurity world. As he manages a global team and navigates the complexities of an ever-changing industry, Dom’s advice remains clear: stay adaptable, keep learning, and never lose your sense of humor.

As a part of the Out of Office community, Dom’s story reflects the very ethos we aim to foster—a place where professionals thrive despite geographical boundaries and complex challenges. Just like Dom balances security and innovation with a diverse global team, Out of Office by CXC empowers remote professionals to connect, collaborate, and succeed in a flexible, remote-first environment. Our platform is designed to help leaders like Dom continue excelling, while encouraging others to reach new heights in their careers, no matter where in the world they are.