By now, Entrust’s Peter Carlisle has probably circumnavigated the globe more than a few times. As VP of Global Sales  for data protection solutions, Peter racks up the miles while navigating a host of divergent cultures and gaining insight about global customer challenges.

Over the years, Peter’s sales adventures have taken him to every corner of the world. It’s why he’s the subject of Entrust’s new blog series, ‘Where in the World is Peter Carlisle?’ The series will pose questions about Peter’s personal and professional experiences as he traverses the competitive, rapidly evolving, and always exciting world of cybersecurity sales.

Entrust: Peter, where in the world are you?

PC: Hong Kong.

‘Where in the World is Peter Carlisle’: Hong Kong Edition (Episode 1)

Entrust: What do you enjoy the most about visiting Hong Kong?

PC: Hong Kong is such an energetic and vibrant place. The geography is so dramatic with that amazing blend of skyscrapers, mountains and islands. The view from “The Peak” really brings that to life and is well worth the climb. Change is constant here as the old gives way to the new and buildings are demolished and replaced with ever taller ones to make the most of the available ground space. Watching the city evolve can be hypnotic. I love the hustle and bustle – there is always so much going on as people make their way in commerce and in life. The markets and the harbour are positively bursting with activity! The food is amazing too!

Entrust: What are some of the localized challenges customers are facing?

PC: There is a major transformation taking place in financial services at the moment in Hong Kong as the government is issuing the first licenses for “virtual banking”. These are intended to be a catalyst for innovation and help to reinforce the status of Hong Kong as a global financial centre. Virtual, or online, financial transactions can save huge amounts of time and money but need the right safeguards in place to protect the data.

Also, in healthcare we are seeing an explosion in the use of online devices in hospitals. This includes surgical robots and beds that monitor patients’ vital signs. This internet of things (IoT) technology offers huge benefits from a medical perspective, but creates a security headache with all of the personal medical data which is now being created, shared and stored as a result.

Entrust: What type of advice have you given them?

PC: Well, it may come as surprise, but I have suggested that working with Entrust could help with the challenges we are seeing here. Our nShield technology is tried and trusted by many of the world’s top financial services organisations, with our encryption and key management solutions helping to secure millions of online transactions every day. We also have great experience in helping to secure the medical IoT landscape using our technology and that of our trusted partners. So, overall, I am excited that there is a strong role for Entrust to play in some of the most critical business challenges in Hong Kong.

‘Where in the World is Peter Carlisle’: Hong Kong Edition (Episode 1)

Entrust: When visiting Hong Kong, is there a specific food or beverage you always seek out?

PC: Well, the food in Hong Kong is amazing. No one is completely sure of the number but it is said there are more than 40,000 restaurants here. Eating out is a way of life for many locals! I love to eat dim sum, so a traditional dim sum lunch is always something I will try and fit in. So many delicious small bites with different textures and flavours – not to be missed. I love my seafood too, and fortunately it is in abundance here. A particular favourite is “Under the Bridge Spicy Crab” in Wan Chai. It’s been around for years and the restaurant’s house special, which is crab roasted with garlic and chili, is wonderful!

Entrust: If you wrote about song about Hong Kong for your blues band, what would you call it?

I’m thinking about the mist hanging over the harbor and watching the old Star Ferry set sail for Kowloon so “Misty Kowloon Rain” might be one for me to go and work on!

‘Where in the World is Peter Carlisle’: Hong Kong Edition (Episode 1)

If you’d like to learn even more about Peter, please visit his LinkedIn page.