In this feature of Security Spotlight, we caught up with Craig Smith to talk about the experiences, lessons and curiosity that have shaped his career in technology. Craig shares what he’s learned along the way from solving complex problems to helping organisations make smarter and more secure decisions.
I'm Craig Smith, the Pre-Sales Lead at Infotrust. I've been working across technology and managed services for more than 20 years, supporting organisations with everything from infrastructure and networking through to cloud, modern workplace and security initiatives.
My role today is focused on helping customers solve business challenges through technology. That means working with customers to understand where they are today, where they want to get to, and designing practical solutions that support their goals while managing risk and complexity along the way.
I've always enjoyed understanding how things work and finding better ways to solve problems.
Like many people in the industry, I started in technical roles where I was very hands-on with infrastructure, networks and end-user technology. Over time, I became more involved in larger projects and strategic initiatives, working not just on the technology itself but helping organisations understand how technology could support the broader business.
That eventually led me into consulting and pre-sales, where I could combine technical experience with customer engagement. What I enjoy most is helping customers cut through complexity and make informed decisions that deliver real outcomes.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that security isn't something you bolt onto an environment after the fact. It needs to be considered as part of every technology decision, process and service.
Working with organisations across different industries and levels of maturity has reinforced that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. The right outcome is usually the one that balances security, operational requirements, user experience and business objectives.
I've also seen how quickly issues can escalate when technology, governance and operational processes aren't aligned. Those experiences have shaped my belief that resilience comes from having the right foundations in place, not just the right tools.
Technology has changed dramatically over the last two decades.
When I started, environments were largely on-premises and much easier to define and control. Today, organisations are operating across cloud platforms, multiple applications, mobile devices and increasingly distributed workforces.
The pace of change is significantly faster, which creates both opportunities and challenges.
For me, adapting has been about maintaining a continuous learning mindset. Technology never stands still, so staying curious, keeping up with industry trends and learning from customers, peers and partners has been critical. The fundamentals remain the same though: understand the business need, understand the risk, and deliver solutions that are practical and sustainable.
The most rewarding part of my role is helping customers solve problems and seeing the positive impact that technology can have on an organisation.
I'm passionate about helping organisations build capability and confidence in their technology environment, whether that's improving operational efficiency, reducing risk, enabling growth or supporting a major transformation initiative.
I also enjoy the collaborative side of the role. Technology projects are rarely successful because of one person. Bringing together customers, technical specialists and delivery teams to achieve a common outcome is something I genuinely enjoy.
Not to sound too cliché but stay curious and be willing to learn.
Technology changes constantly, and nobody knows everything. Focus on building strong fundamentals, take opportunities to gain hands-on experience, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Finally, invest in your communication skills. Technical knowledge is important, but being able to explain complex concepts clearly and work effectively with people is often what sets great technology professionals apart.