Candice Pressinger - Director of Customer Data Security, Elavon Europe talks to Adrian Evans.

Key learnings:

1. Security and innovation are complementary There is a common misconception that security slows down innovation. Candice reframes this, arguing that they are not opposites but partners. Effective security is actually a "growth lever" that reduces friction and costs, enabling businesses to innovate safely.
2. Psychological safety drives commercial results Creating a safe culture isn't just a soft skill; it is a business necessity. Candice emphasises that to solve complex problems, leaders must create an environment where staff, especially quieter team members, feel safe to voice ideas, challenge the status quo, and admit mistakes without fear of being shut down.
3. Hiring for curiosity, accountability, and adaptability While technical competence is the baseline, Candice prioritises three specific traits when recruiting: Curiosity (the desire to extrapolate and find the "next big thing"), Accountability (the willingness to own decisions and mistakes), and Adaptability (the ability to pivot in a constantly changing fraud landscape).
4. Curiosity as a career compass Candice’s journey from a lawyer in data protection to a leader in payment security was not a straight line. She highlights curiosity as the primary driver that allowed her to spot opportunities, pivot successfully, and navigate the complex payments ecosystem.
5. The "Arms Race" with fraudsters Security innovation is necessary because fraudsters are innovating just as fast. Candice notes that fraudsters now operate like organised, high-tech businesses using AI. Therefore, corporate innovation is required not just for new products, but simply to keep up with the sophistication of bad actors.