Exclusive Interview of Dwayne Smith, Global CISO, Vensure Employer Solutions with Dr. Sunil Singh, Editor-In-Chief, HR TODAY
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Dwayne, and congratulations once again on winning the global award. I represent HR Today as the Editor-in-Chief, and our publication is widely read by HR professionals across the world. I must say I’m truly impressed by the range of HR solutions Vensure offers, particularly your HCM solutions.
To begin, could you share an overview of what Vensure brings to HR professionals?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Thank you, Sunil. I really appreciate the recognition. Vensure has significantly expanded in the product space, particularly with PRISM HR. PRISM HR has long been a platform supporting the PEO industry. Over the years, we have grown through both acquisitions and organic development. In the last two years, we have improved reporting capabilities, introduced a fresh user interface, and expanded our services beyond PEOs. Now, with PRISM HCM, we have moved into the self-serve business, allowing organizations to streamline their HR processes more effectively.
Additionally, we have integrated PRISM with other products to support the entertainment industry, particularly in time and labor management. We also have a growing list of partners integrating with our platform, enabling HR professionals to offer competitive benefits and attract top talent in the market.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
That sounds fantastic. Which geographies are you primarily covering?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
PRISM and some of our PEO solutions were initially focused on the U.S. market. However, in recent years, we have expanded globally. We now support payroll operations in nearly 50 countries, either directly or through our partners. Our footprint is growing in South America, India, and Europe, while we continue to expand in Asia and Canada. We are committed to strengthening our presence in global payroll and HR support services.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
Compliance is a critical factor when operating in multiple geographies. Many solutions struggle to keep up with local compliance requirements. How does Vensure ensure compliance across different countries?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Compliance is a top priority for us. We work closely with our compliance officers and legal teams to track evolving regulatory requirements. There are both U.S. and international governing bodies with different compliance frameworks. Our approach is to align with multiple frameworks that offer the highest commonality, ensuring that we meet regulatory expectations efficiently. Additionally, we partner with experts in privacy and tax reporting to ensure local compliance standards are met in every region we operate in.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
Speaking of privacy, how does Vensure compare to industry leaders like Workday and SuccessFactors in terms of global data security certifications? What assurances do users have regarding security compliance?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Privacy has been a major focus over the past decade, especially with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. We heavily model our compliance structure around these frameworks. Additionally, biometric data security is becoming increasingly important, particularly in the U.S. with regulations like BIPA (Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act). We ensure that our platforms comply with these evolving security standards.
We have also been actively engaged in initiatives like the Privacy Shield, which has evolved into the privacy framework that governs data transfers between Europe and the U.S. Our collaboration with the Department of Commerce and other regulatory bodies ensures that we stay ahead of security expectations and maintain credibility in global markets.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
One of the challenges HR professionals face is the lack of seamless integration between different modules, leading to a disjointed employee experience. How does Vensure address this challenge?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
That’s a great point. Data integration and accessibility are key concerns in HR tech. Some industry standards have historically created rigidity in how data flows between systems. At Vensure, we account for this in our development cycle. We invest in technologies that enable seamless data transfer across modules, ensuring that HR teams and employees have a cohesive user experience. Our goal is to make data easily accessible within the platform while maintaining strict security and compliance measures.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
AI is making a significant impact on HR technology. How do you see AI shaping employee and organizational experiences, particularly in analytics and decision-making?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
AI is one of my favorite topics. Many CISOs are hesitant about AI adoption, but I believe in embracing it with a structured approach. AI is similar to the early days of Windows 95 and 98—just another evolving technology. While generative AI is still in its infancy, we are seeing its growing influence in natural language processing, machine learning, and automation.
Organizations must be cautious about AI adoption, ensuring that they work with trustworthy vendors and avoid unnecessary data exposure. AI is already embedded in most products today, whether businesses realize it or not. Instead of resisting AI, companies should focus on using it strategically to enhance security, optimize operations, and drive business efficiencies.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
That’s an insightful perspective. AI adoption is becoming mainstream in India as well. Many Indian enterprises, including smaller players, are integrating AI into their HR tech solutions. What is Vensure’s presence in India?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
We have a significant presence in India, primarily in Noida. We also have operations in other regions, including Pune. Our India offices play a vital role in product development and operational support. Additionally, we provide payroll services and HR solutions tailored to the Indian market. India is a key strategic region for us, and we look forward to expanding further.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
That’s great to hear. I also noticed that Vensure operates under multiple brand logos. Is there a long-term strategy behind maintaining these different brands, or do you plan to consolidate them in the future?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Vensure is a dynamic company serving multiple business segments, so our multi-brand strategy is intentional. Different logos help customers differentiate our various product offerings. For example, Vensure Entertainment caters to the entertainment industry with payroll and onboarding solutions, while ePay focuses on time and labor management. PRISM remains our flagship HCM platform. Maintaining these distinct identities allows us to cater to diverse industry needs without confusion.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
That makes sense. With Vensure managing multiple service segments, cybersecurity must be a critical area. What challenges do you foresee in standardizing cybersecurity measures across different geographies?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Cybersecurity is a top concern, and the challenges vary by geography. Different regions have preferred technologies, legal frameworks, and business norms. Our approach is to assess security tools and policies based on financial and risk perspectives rather than imposing rigid restrictions. This ensures that innovation is not stifled while maintaining robust security. Vendor management and compliance play a crucial role in this process.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
What trends do you foresee shaping the business and cybersecurity landscape in 2025?
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
If I had a crystal ball, I wouldn’t be working! But I believe a few key trends will define 2025. The geopolitical landscape—especially in major economies like India, China, the U.S., and Russia—will significantly impact global business dynamics. Additionally, AI adoption will continue evolving from its current incubation stage into mainstream applications. We’ll also see a surge in cybersecurity products aimed at protecting businesses from ‘shadow AI’ and unauthorized AI implementations.
Another critical area will be business resilience and continuity. The recent CrowdStrike outage highlighted the risks of relying on third-party infrastructures like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. As organizations become more dependent on cloud services, they will need robust contingency plans to mitigate risks effectively.
Dr. Sunil Singh
Editor-in-Chief
That’s a compelling outlook. Thank you, Dwayne, for sharing your insights. I’m sure our readers will find this discussion valuable, and we look forward to seeing how Vensure continues to innovate in the HR tech space.
Dwayne Smith
CISO,
Vensure HR
Thank you, Sunil. It was a pleasure speaking with you. I look forward to more discussions in the future!
