Coworker Spotlight: Meet Sarah from Modern Methodologies

Here at the Canberra Innovation Network we are lucky enough to have a coworking space filled with incredible innovators, entrepreneurs and startups. So who are these coworkers, and what do they do? We spoke with Sarah Humphrey, Senior Cyber Analyst at Modern Methodologies and we’d love to introduce you!  

So Sarah, tell us what is the origin of Modern Methodologies? How did the company get to where it is now?

Like all good things in life, Modern Methodologies started with a coffee. In 2019, our Founders met for coffee in a food court and discussed how old and outdated methods were still being used to implement cyber security solutions and the need for companies to use more modern methods. Hence the name, Modern Methodologies!

With a combined plethora of knowledge across Identity and Access Management, Cyber, Enterprise and IT Security Architecture alongside an understanding of the market, years of experience in the industry (and of course a bit of luck) the Modern Methodologies Directors Sophie Wade, Phil Wade and Tony Tynan founded the company. Officially engaging with clients in 2021, Modern Methodologies is now a company of over 25 staff working across Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Wollongong and providing services across federal and state Government, private sector and the education sector.

Building a strong, inclusive and dedicated team who work together cohesively and who all value team culture plays a significant role in how the company has got to where we are now. Let’s be honest – a fun team is a good team! We’ve grown rapidly over the past two years and continue to gain momentum, regularly bringing on new clients, and we attribute our success to the team being the right mix of people who put in a lot of hard work to ensure we deliver value to our clients.

Wow, what an origin story! Can you tell us about what you are working on?

Currently I’m working with one of our Government Agency clients on implementing a new Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution. The IAM solution we’re introducing will bring our client into the right security posture, putting them in a position where they are confident about who’s joining, moving and leaving the agency, and very importantly, able to recognise and respond to unsanctioned accounts.

Our work involves building a solution that provides the Agency with centralised visibility of all their staff who have access to their systems as well as ensuring that when staff leave, they are offboarded quickly and efficiently providing assurance that departed staff no longer have access to systems or resources. The architecture behind the IAM solution we are implementing is specific to the Agency we are working with, however like other IAM clients, we focus on rolling out a solution which is streamlined and automated. Our end goal is to always leave a client better than we found them.

If you could only use three words, how would you describe your business journey? 

Fast, all-consuming (in a good way!) and rewarding.

It certainly sounds like it! What’s on your daily to-do list?

As an Analyst my daily to-do list changes regularly. However, without exception it starts with a strong black coffee and checking emails. I’m usually working alongside our Developers and Architects to understand what they’re doing so I can gather the right information they need from our clients. This usually involves meetings with clients to understand their IT environments and systems. I spend a large portion of my day problem solving, reading through functional specification documents, in excel looking at data or in Visio building process maps and diagrams.

What are you looking forward to achieving in the next 12 months?

For MM – its more clients – growing, growing and growing!
For me personally – its developing skills – learn, learn and learn!

I love that, what a better way to grow than to learn. What’s your favourite thing about being part of CBRIN’s coworking space?

I’m really enjoying coming in to a lively and friendly office post the covid working from home life. It’s been so nice spending in person time with colleagues and I value being able to easily swing my chair around and ask a question or hash out an idea. I’ve also found it positive to be in an environment where we’re surrounded by other start-ups and small tech companies – it’s a productive vibe to be around others who are also passionate and enjoy what they do. And of course – the community fruit box! I love the fruit box!

Haha, who doesn’t love a bit of fruit with their morning (or mid-day and afternoon) coffee refill. Shameless plug time! What are you proud of right now and want to promote?

Apporetum! Need to efficiently manage access to your applications? Contact us 🙂

 

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing with us Sarah. We’re so thrilled to have you and the rest of the Modern Methodologies team, and all the energy you bring, in the Level 5 Coworking space.