As the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Arete, I was pivotal in safeguarding our organization’s digital assets and ensuring cybersecurity standards and regulations compliance. I led a team of cybersecurity professionals to design and implement comprehensive security strategies, conducted risk assessments and vulnerability management, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and enforce security policies, procedures, and protocols. I took a proactive approach in managing incident response efforts, oversaw the implementation of advanced security solutions, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies, and provided guidance and training to staff on security best practices and emerging threats. I ensured compliance with industry standards such as SOC2 Type 1 & 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR, led vendor vetting processes to evaluate and select third-party vendors, directed penetration testing initiatives to identify and address security vulnerabilities proactively, integrated security measures throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), managed asset inventory and security patching, and implemented comprehensive vulnerability management programs. This role required a deep understanding of cybersecurity principles, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats, equipping me with the experience and expertise necessary to protect and secure digital environments effectively.

As the Incident Response | Onsite Support Manager at Arete Incident Response, I managed and resolved medium to enterprise-level ransomware incidents. I led a dedicated team in providing rapid and effective onsite support to affected clients, ensuring minimal disruption to their operations. Our collaborative efforts, both within the team and with our clients, were critical to our success. My role involved not only conducting thorough incident investigations and implementing strategic response plans, but also proactively developing and maintaining detailed incident reports, conducting root-cause analyses, and providing actionable recommendations to prevent future incidents. Additionally, I facilitated training sessions and tabletop exercises to enhance the organization's and our clients' incident response capabilities. I frequently traveled across the US to handle major incidents at clients' data centers, ensuring timely and effective incident resolution onsite.

As the Sr. IT Infrastructure Architect / IT Specialist at Access-Interactive, I was responsible for designing, implementing, and managing robust IT infrastructure solutions to support business operations. My role involved assessing and optimizing existing IT systems, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security of IT infrastructure. I led the development and deployment of network and server configurations, managed data center operations, and oversaw the integration of new technologies. I demonstrated my strategic thinking by collaborating with cross-functional teams to align IT strategies with business goals, conducted performance tuning, and ensured compliance with industry standards and best practices. Additionally, I provided technical support and training to staff, managed vendor relationships, and played a crucial role in disaster recovery planning and implementation.

As an IT Infrastructure Architect at Setty & Associates in Mysore, I demonstrated strong leadership skills in designing, implementing, and maintaining the company's IT infrastructure. I led projects to upgrade and expand network and server capabilities, implemented virtualization technologies, and oversaw data center operations. I collaborated with various departments to understand their IT needs and provided customized solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency. My role also involved managing IT budgets, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and conducting regular system audits and performance tuning. Additionally, I traveled across the US to implement technology solutions at various locations, ensuring consistent and seamless integration. I played a crucial role in disaster recovery planning, ensuring business continuity, and providing training and support to IT staff to maintain operational excellence.

As a Wintel Admin at Wipro in Mysore, Karnataka, I managed and maintained the Windows and Intel-based server infrastructure. My role included installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Windows servers, ensuring high availability and performance of server systems and applications. I managed Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and other core Windows services and implemented and maintained Group Policies. Additionally, I was involved in server patch management, performance tuning, and system monitoring to ensure optimal operation. I followed ITIL processes to ensure best practices in IT service management. My responsibilities extended to handling VMware virtualization technologies, managing Microsoft Exchange for email services, and supporting Office Communication Server and Lync Server for unified communications. I collaborated with various IT teams to support infrastructure projects and provided technical support to resolve complex server-related issues. Moreover, I was meticulous in creating and maintaining documentation for server configurations, processes, and procedures, ensuring strict compliance with industry standards and best practices.