Cyber Security

Professional Highlights

🏅 Cybersecurity Leader | Security Engineer

🔴 GSLC | GRTP | CRT-ID | RTO-I

"Akhil is a Cybersecurity Leader and Security Engineer with 9+ years in cybersecurity, specializing in Red Team operations, Security Operations, Cloud Security, and Security Consulting. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, adept at translating complex security concepts into actionable insights, and passionate about leveraging AI and Cloud for adversarial applications.”

Career Highlights

Led implementation of various security initiatives including CSPM, SIEM and AI-powered SOAR to name a few resulting in improved security posture and operational efficiency
Spearheaded Red Team initiatives to simulate Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to fortify organizational defenses against sophisticated cyber threats.
Conducted advanced vulnerability research and zero-day analysis to strengthen cybersecurity posture and develop effective mitigation strategies to safeguard organizations against emerging threats.
Delivered high-impact security engagements for Fortune 500 companies, providing strategic guidance and technical expertise to enhance cybersecurity posture.

Cybersecurity Experience

Ethos

Senior Security Engineer | Full-Time

Apr 2024 - Feb 2025

Led Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) implementation in the AWS environment, completing deployment 30% faster than the projected timeline and continuous security monitoring with alerting for Kubernetes deployment.
Designed and implemented a comprehensive SIEM strategy and developed an AI-powered SOAR automation strategy for SOC operations to reduce alert triage time and enhance threat detection capabilities.
Developed and implemented a comprehensive incident response plan from scratch, with a specialized focus on ransomware threats, enhancing organizational preparedness and resilience.
Implemented and managed the CrowdStrike platform, enhancing security and tuning platform policies.

GIAC Advisory Board

The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) Advisory Board is a prestigious panel of top cybersecurity professionals selected by invitation only for their extensive expertise in various domains of information security.

Board Member

Jul 2021 - Present

Contributed expertise to tackle emerging problems in AI, Cloud, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Offered guidance on industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving cybersecurity threats for certification development initiatives.

Delta Dental

Delta Dental, one of the largest, dental insurance providers in the U.S., serves over 80 million Americans and manages their PHI data through 39 independent member companies. It has a network of more than 152,000 participating dentists and more than 2000 workers nationwide.

Senior Security Engineer - Red Team | Full-Time

Jan 2021 – March 2024

Orchestrated adversary emulation exercises by planning, executing, and analyzing complex attack scenarios and helped develop and refine adversaries' tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
Delivered comprehensive reports and KPIs to senior leadership, guiding strategic decision-making.
Developed and implemented infrastructure and tools in AWS, Azure, Python, and Terraform to augment red teaming capabilities, increasing TTP coverage and efficiency.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute tailored red-teaming strategies, helping improve Blue Team detection metrics.

Senior Security Engineer - Vulnerability Research | Full-Time

Jun 2020 – Jan 2021

Spearheaded vulnerability research initiatives, leading to discovering and remedying high-risk security flaws in hybrid cloud environments.
Developed custom exploits and mitigation techniques to address zero-day threats, safeguarding organizations against cyber-attacks.
Conducted penetration testing and vulnerability assessments on systems, networks, and applications to identify security weaknesses and provide recommendations for remediation.
Researched the latest security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques while experimenting with new tools and methodologies to improve the offensive testing capabilities.

HackerOne + Bug Crowd

HackerOne and Bugcrowd are pioneering platforms in the cybersecurity field, offering crowdsourced security testing through bug bounty programs and vulnerability disclosure initiatives.

Bug Bounty Hunter | Security Researcher | Freelance

Jan 2019 – Aug 2023

Independently identified and reported security vulnerabilities across various platforms and technologies.
Regularly participated in bug bounty programs and security challenges, honing skills and staying abreast of emerging threats and attack vectors.
Cultivated relationships with security researchers and industry professionals, contributing to collective knowledge and advancement of cybersecurity practices.

Synopsys

Synopsys, valued at over $70 billion, is a global frontrunner in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Semiconductor IP, application security solutions, and security consulting for Fortune 500 companies and international market leaders.

Security Consultant | Full-Time

Jan 2018 – Jun 2020

Led security assessments for Fortune 500 companies, providing actionable recommendations to enhance resilience against cyber threats.
Developed and implemented customized security strategies to address specific threats and vulnerabilities, enhancing resilience and reducing risk exposure.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement tailored vulnerability remediations aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Associate Security Consultant | Full-Time

Dec 2016 – Jan 2018

Participated in diverse security engagements, identifying vulnerabilities and creating actionable remediation plans for clients across multiple industries.
Earned client commendations for delivering precise, actionable security recommendations that strengthened their security posture and cyber resilience.

Cigital

Cigital Inc. is a renowned leader in the cybersecurity market, specializing in software security consulting, training, and application security products across various domains, including but not limited to banking, finance, healthcare, and credit unions.

Associate Security Consultant | Full-Time

Jul 2016 – Dec 2016

Independently identify and report security vulnerabilities across various platforms and technologies.
Regularly participate in bug bounty programs and security challenges, honing skills and staying abreast of emerging threats and attack vectors.
Cultivate relationships with security researchers and industry professionals, contributing to collective knowledge and advancement of cybersecurity practices.

Security Operations Center (SOC) of UMD

University of Maryland - College Park (UMD) is a leading research institute that partners with government and businesses to address global challenges. It is also the largest university in both the state and the Washington metropolitan area.

UMPD Security Analyst | Part-Time

Mar 2015 – Feb 2016

Monitored security alerts and events to identify potential incidents and promptly initiate incident response procedures.
Collaborated with law enforcement to effectively handle and mitigate security incidents at the University of Maryland - College Park.

Education

University of Maryland, College Park

Master of Cybersecurity Engineering

University of Mumbai

Bachelor of Information Technology