Aws Farooq

I am a driven IT Auditor and certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer with a strong foundation in cybersecurity, IT governance, and risk management. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business IT & Management and currently finalizing my Master’s in IT Auditing at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, I specialize in bridging the gap between complex technological landscapes and strategic business objectives.

Career & Achievements In my current role at Flynth, I focus on analyzing IT environments, assessing controls, and helping organizations align with critical frameworks and regulations, including ISO 27001, COBIT 2019, NIST CSF, NIS2, and the EU AI Act.

A key milestone in my career was obtaining my PECB ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer certification, which allows me to go beyond traditional auditing and actively design, build, and optimize robust Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

I am also highly active in shaping the future of my profession. I serve on the Educational Committee (Opleidingscommissie) for the IT Audit Master's program at VU Amsterdam. Additionally, as an active member of VUrORE, I co-organized the highly successful 2026 annual seminar focused on "Navigating between cyber threats and AI innovation."

Academic & Technical Interests I am deeply fascinated by the intersection of risk management and emerging technologies. My academic research focuses on Explainable AI (XAI) and utilizing the SHAP method to provide IT audit assurance, particularly within sustainability reporting. Furthermore, I actively follow industry advancements in hardware tech, including integrated photonics and quantum-enhanced computing chips.

Personal Interests Outside of my professional life, I believe in maintaining a strong, disciplined routine to optimize both physical and mental performance. I stay active through weightlifting, running, and swimming, combined with a highly structured nutrition and wellness regimen that includes frequent sauna sessions. To unwind and keep my analytical skills sharp in a relaxed setting, I enjoy diving into complex tabletop board games, with Everdell being a personal favorite.