To mark our 75th Anniversary, we are shining a light on some NCI alumni to showcase the amazing talent the College has produced throughout the years.
Brian Honan, CEO of BH Consulting
Alumni Spotlight: Brian Honan
Diploma in Industrial Relations (1990)
CEO of BH Consulting
Founder of the Irish Reporting and Information Security Service (IRISS)
Chairman of the Cyber Ireland Advisory Board
About Brian
Brian Honan studied Industrial Relations at National College of Ireland between 1987 and 1990, attending classes part-time alongside students from a wide range of industries, professions and backgrounds.
While his career would eventually take him into IT, cybersecurity and data protection, Brian believes one of the greatest benefits of his time at NCI was the opportunity to learn from the people around him. Studying alongside classmates at different stages of their careers provided valuable perspectives that complemented the academic learning taking place in the classroom.
"No matter what industry you're in, or what career you take, you're going to have to deal with people and work with people."
Brian credits his studies at NCI with helping him form a greater understanding of dealing with conflict in the workplace, motivating people and supporting his team to achieve their goals.
People at the Heart of Success
Brian studied industrial relations as he believed that understanding people is valuable in every profession. Over the decades, that belief has remained central to his career. Today, Brian is the founder and CEO of BH Consulting, an independent cybersecurity and data protection advisory company serving clients around the world.
Looking back, Brian credits many of the lessons he learned at NCI with helping him lead, mentor and support teams throughout his career. While BH Consulting's commercial success is something he is proud of, he views the development of talented people and the strong culture within the organisation as his greatest achievement.
His advice to today's students is to focus less on reaching specific milestones and more on appreciating the experiences, opportunities and relationships built along the way.
"Don't focus on the destination. Focus on the journey and the people who are with you on it."
When reflecting on his career path and his studies at NCI, he acknowledges that being able to work well with people is a lesson that will always stand the test of time.
#75YearsofNCI