“Cyber threats evolve rapidly, and staying ahead requires a commitment to ongoing education and the flexibility to implement new strategies and technologies” said Sameer H Kulkarni, CIO at Coreintegra Consulting Services Pvt.Ltd and Core Integra Global Services Pvt.Ltd.

Can you describe your current role, and what responsibilities do you undertake?

As the CIO of Core Integra, I lead the IT strategy and oversee technology initiatives to drive business growth. My responsibilities include managing IT operations, ensuring cybersecurity, aligning technology with business goals, and fostering innovation. I also collaborate with other executives to integrate advanced technologies, optimize processes, and enhance digital transformation efforts across the organization.

How will you describe your journey in the cybersecurity Industry?

My journey in the cybersecurity industry has been dynamic and transformative. From tackling emerging threats to implementing robust security frameworks, I’ve seen the landscape evolve rapidly. At Core Integra, I’ve led initiatives that prioritize proactive defense, employee training, and innovative technology adoption. This relentless focus on staying ahead of threats has strengthened our resilience and fortified our clients’ security postures. Each challenge has been an opportunity to learn and adapt, reinforcing my commitment to safeguarding digital assets in an ever-changing environment

If you could make one recommendation to the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, what would it be?

My recommendation to the next generation of cybersecurity leaders is to prioritize continuous learning and adaptability. Cyber threats evolve rapidly, and staying ahead requires a commitment to ongoing education and the flexibility to implement new strategies and technologies. Embrace a proactive mindset, foster a culture of security within your organization, and collaborate with peers to share insights and best practices. This approach will enhance your ability to protect your organization’s assets and stay resilient in the face of emerging threats.

How do you stay current with the latest security threats and technologies?

As CIO at Core Integra, I stay up-to-date with the latest security threats and technologies by subscribing to industry-leading cybersecurity journals, attending related conferences and websites, and working with employees communication. I also collaborate with security experts and invest in ongoing training for our IT team . Using comprehensive threat intelligence and regularly monitoring security updates from trusted sources ensures, we remain proactive in protecting our systems.

Can you discuss a time when you had to handle a security incident, and what steps you took to resolve it?

Sure, there was a recent occurrence where we discovered some uncommon activity within our network. During the subsequent period i quickly arranged for our incident response team to cut off any affected systems from our network. This entailed carrying out an intensive inspection exercise that helped us trace back into locating the sources of this breach which we have acted upon by putting some controls in place as well as deleting completely this danger from our midst . Consequent to that occurrence we revised our security guidelines so as to ensure continuity without having such incidents happening again after giving instructions . This led to reduction in downtime intervals and avoidance of loss on information in operations.