From a think tank to cybersecurity leader

He got his job at PwC by chance and, even as a former manager, started from scratch. He has now been with the company for six years and leads one of the local cybersecurity teams. In recent years, Tomáš Kulda has worked on projects that are unparalleled in the Czech Republic and, from time to time, his work allows him to contribute to good causes. When it all gets too much, he flees to the sea in Sweden to clear his head.

Before PwC, you worked in a completely different field. What brought you here?

After six years of working for a think tank that focused on security in international relations, I wanted to approach the topic in a more practical way. At first, during an interview at another company I got laughed at and asked why I was even trying when I wasn’t involved in cybersecurity. The whole thing was really unpleasant. Then, by coincidence, I met some classmates from college, told them about what I’d been through, and one of them directed me to PwC, where the whole interview went completely differently. They took the fact that I had no experience in the field in stride: OK, you’ll learn, you bring a different and interesting perspective, and we’ll help you out with everything.

How would you describe your team’s daily routine?

Usually, a client hires us to implement regulatory requirements, or they already have some problems, perhaps after an attack. That’s where we come in, try to understand how it works, and propose measures, which we then usually help them implement. Many projects were interesting because we were the first ones ever to do anything like that. This was the case, for instance, within a five-year project for one of the leaders in the automotive industry, or in a project aimed at increasing security in ten Czech hospitals. Among other things, we provided them with training in case they came under attack. This allowed me to learn how the Czech healthcare system works and also to help this sector, which is great in itself.

What are you working on now?

I’d mention a project for a Czech non-profit organisation, because at PwC we try to do something for a good cause every year. In addition, we are working on a contract in cooperation with branches in Ukraine, Albania and the United States. This allows us to get to know colleagues from other countries and use other languages.

What qualities should a person have to fit into your team?

We usually work on several projects at a time, so it is necessary to be able to communicate with others and manage your own time. It is also important for us to feel that a newcomer will fit into the team, making work enjoyable for them as well as for everyone else. Other than that, we’re used to teaching juniors everything – training them from scratch is actually easier for us. We try to strike a balance between not telling them exactly how to write an email, but at the same time not making them feel like making a mistake will have major consequences.

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t handle a job? 

Coincidentally, I have a reputation in our team that when a project looks like a fuck-up, I’m the ones who gets it. But part of my job is to learn how to navigate all the twists and turns, communicate with the client, and deliver everything they want without the whole team getting burned out and not wanting to do anything like that again. So far, we’ve survived everything in good health.

In addition to your career, you have a very interesting hobby – yachting. How did you get into it?

Just as some people have been obsessed with cars or trains since childhood, I fell in love with boats. I’ve been sailing since college, and three years ago I bought a 40-year-old boat in Sweden. Sweden has beautiful nature without tourists, and boats there are nice and significantly cheaper than anywhere else. After three years of repairs, I now have a three-month cruise ahead of me, which I will spend alternately with my girlfriend and friends. Fortunately, PwC has always been understanding about my boat trips, so I can do what I enjoy.