Paulette Phay is a cybersecurity architect at Aristocrat Inc, where she leads the design and implementation of the company’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) program to strengthen security, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Her career spans cybersecurity architecture, consulting, auditing, and compliance, with a strong focus on delivering practical, risk-based security solutions that align with business objectives.

Phay is a doctoral candidate in information technology at Capella University, demonstrating her commitment to advancing cybersecurity research and practice. She holds a Master’s Degree in cybersecurity technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus, as well as dual bachelor's degrees in accounting from Pannasastra University of Cambodia and Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Her professional certifications include OKTA Professional Certification, AWS Certified Security – Specialty and Solution Architect, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), and the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK).

At Aristocrat, Phay leads the development and execution of IAM strategies and roadmaps while overseeing the deployment of the organization’s Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) solution and Privileged Access Management (PAM) program. She collaborates with business and technical stakeholders to define IAM standards and frameworks, conduct security assessments, and ensure secure access across diverse environments. Her role includes driving niche technical integrations with tools within IAM platforms, enabling advanced lifecycle management, access certifications, and privileged account security. Through these initiatives, she is building robust, scalable access management capabilities that improve compliance and reduce risk across the enterprise.

Previously, Phay worked as a security consultant at Amazon, where she supported infrastructure security, IAM, and DevSecOps initiatives, conducted security reviews and threat modeling, and partnered with development teams to embed security into the software development lifecycle. She also served as a senior IT auditor at Schellman & Company, conducting SOC 1/2/3 audits, assessing security controls, and evaluating risk across cloud and container environments.

In addition to her industry experience, Phay has taught undergraduate information systems courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), ranging from introductory IS-101 classes to advanced IS-300-level courses. She is dedicated to sharing her practical expertise with students, helping them develop a strong foundation in technology and security concepts to prepare for professional success.
Phay’s work is characterized by her ability to bridge technical security requirements with strategic business goals, delivering security architectures and programs that enable secure, compliant, and efficient operations in complex, hybrid environments.