You move between two worlds that seem completely different at first glance: classical music and cyber security. What’s the story behind that?
Quite simply, cybersecurity is the future of the world, and opera is mine. From a very young age, I realized my immense need for expression and sought the most demanding, according to some or perhaps the most beautiful, according to others, way to serve it. I always enjoyed a challenge and, combined with the "big picture" I had for myself, this path led me to classical music.
Where acting meets sound, great sound, there is a unique requirement: to be and to be heard at the same time. Because, as much as we talk about talent, the truth is that it comes second. For me, success relies on three factors: 70% work and effort, 20% innate talent, and 10% luck or timing, depending on how one prefers to call it.
Something similar applies to cyberspace. Someone may know how to code or easily recognize attack patterns, but that alone is not enough.
Many would say music and cyber security have nothing in common. What do you think about that?
Many people truly believe that music and cybersecurity have nothing in common, but I see many similarities. Both worlds demand discipline, precision, and the ability to perform under pressure without losing control. In classical music, you are obliged to serve an emotion with absolute technical stability and have full awareness of yourself (your breath, your body, your thoughts). In cybersecurity, you are obliged to serve a purpose and protection with the same consistency.
That is why, for me, the two worlds are not opposites. They are two different paths that lead to the same principle: You have to be present, composed, and fully prepared to succeed.
You work for a German corporate group in Greece. Which differences do you recognize between the German and the Greek market? OR What are the differences between the German and Greek mentality?
There is a clear difference both in mentality and in the way the market operates between Germany and Greece.
On the German side, one encounters a level of organization and planning that resembles the mechanism of a clock, everything is structured, predetermined, and functions with precision. On the other hand, Greece is characterized by greater flexibility and readiness for restructuring, precisely because the same level of advance preparation is often not present. This may sound like a weakness, but in practice it often allows for quick adjustments in unpredictable situations.
Both approaches have their advantages and their challenges. At DTS, however, we consciously strive to achieve the best possible combination: German precision with Greek flexibility. Because we cover a very wide range of services and products, and each client represents a unique case study for us, we must be both absolutely precise and equally adaptable. Only in this way can we respond to different needs and deliver real value.
In your position as Lead Manager you present our products and services as well as our company in general to (potential new) customers. How do you explain complex technical topics to people with less technical background?
I usually speak with people who already have some technical background, if not specialization in our field. However, when I need to explain more complex services to someone who is not in the industry, I use examples from everyday life. I don’t start with terms like endpoints, logs, or firewalls. Instead, I try to make it relatable.
For example, when I explain a threat‑monitoring system (SOC) like our Cockpit, I say:
“Think of it as an alarm system for your home, it constantly monitors what is normal and immediately alerts you to anything suspicious.”
This helps the other person understand the essence without getting lost in the details.
What do you still hope to achieve as both a tenor and a Lead Manager for a cyber security company?
Although I often joke that one day I’d love to sing at the CISO Summit and that the Greek National Opera should have its own cybersecurity protocol, the truth is that these comments simply reflect my sense of humor and not an actual goal.
What I really want to express is that every day, in both fields, music and technology, I see people and companies promising quick and effortless results. In my circle, we treat such promises half‑seriously and half‑playfully, because we know very well that real quality doesn’t “promise”; it is built. From music, I learned that progress requires patience, perseverance, and continuous dedication. And the same applies to cybersecurity: nothing truly reliable is built carelessly or in a rush. That’s why I walk alongside DTS. We are here to endure, to evolve steadily, and to create trust through our work, not through easy promises.
Last but not least: What is your favourite song to perform?
The “Vincerò” from the aria Nessun Dorma in the opera Turandot is, for me, more than an impressive climax, it is a declaration of strength and faith in the outcome. In the opera, Calaf chooses to stand with confidence amid uncertainty, something I feel is closely connected to our work in technology and cybersecurity: it requires clear thinking, discipline, and perseverance. As my classical music studies are still in progress, I try every day to refine my interpretation, including this piece. Perhaps that is why “Vincerò” means so much to me. It expresses the journey toward improvement and the determination to succeed, regardless of the challenges. Because in the end, good will always prevail!
