Ramkumari Iyer: A Visionary Leader in Cybersecurity

Ramkumari Harisankar Iyer is a CISO and CPO of Cybersecurity, Privacy, and DevSecOps. Her journey into process consulting and cybersecurity has been driven by a passion for technology and a commitment to helping organizations thrive in a secure environment. She is excited to continue this journey, collaborating with like-minded professionals to create innovative solutions that not only protect but also propel businesses forward. She is also proficient in IT service management, Agile methodologies, DevOps principles, Quality Assurance through Lean and Six Sigma methods, deep-level monitoring using SRE, and observability concepts.

She believes that cybersecurity is not just a technical requirement; it’s a fundamental aspect of business strategy. In today’s interconnected world, organizations face many risks, from data breaches to compliance failures. Her role as a cybersecurity consultant allows her to help businesses navigate these challenges, fostering a culture of security that empowers teams and protects valuable assets.

Introduction:

Ramkumari Harisankar Iyer, and a Principal Consultant with over 23 years of experience in technology, cybersecurity, and process consulting. She had the privilege of working with some of the leading IT companies in India, including IBM, Infosys, Wipro, and TCS, where she honed her skills in information security, compliance, and risk management.

Her journey into process consulting and cybersecurity began with a profound interest in technology and its potential to transform businesses. Early in her career, she recognized that technology is not just about systems and software; it’s about creating frameworks that enable organizations to operate efficiently and securely. This realization led her to pursue a career in process consulting, where she could leverage her technical expertise to help organizations optimize their operations and achieve their strategic goals.

As she delved deeper into the world of technology, she became increasingly aware of the critical importance of cybersecurity. With the rise of digital transformation, the threats to information security grew exponentially. She was drawn to the challenge of protecting organizations from these threats, ensuring they could operate securely in an increasingly complex digital landscape. This passion for cybersecurity led her to become a certified Global Risk Compliance professional, specializing in regulatory controls across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Her career journey began in 1995 when she joined EFTIA OSS Solutions in Mumbai as a Technical Lead. This foundational role allowed her to develop critical skills in technology and project management, setting the stage for her future endeavors in the IT sector. 

In 2002, she transitioned to Infosys as a Project Manager, where she honed her leadership abilities and deepened her understanding of software development and delivery processes. This experience was pivotal as it introduced her to the complexities of managing large-scale IT projects. 

From 2005 to 2010, she held senior managerial positions at iGATE and Wipro Technologies, where she was responsible for overseeing project delivery and ensuring compliance with quality standards. Her focus on process improvement and quality management led to her expertise in frameworks like CMMI and ITIL. 

In 2010, she joined TCS as a Senior Consultant-Program Lead, where she began to specialize in cybersecurity and information security management. This role marked a significant turning point in her career, as she recognized the growing importance of cybersecurity in the digital age. Her responsibilities included implementing security frameworks and conducting risk assessments, which solidified her commitment to this field. 

In 2012, she advanced to IBM as a Senior Delivery Program Executive, where she led teams in developing and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. This experience further enhanced her expertise in regulatory compliance, particularly in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. 

Ramkumari's career took another significant leap in 2015 when she became the Vice President of IT at MFX Fairfax, QuessCorp. Here, she was responsible for driving digital transformation initiatives and enhancing the organization’s cybersecurity posture. Her efforts were recognized when she received the CIO Award for India's Best CIO in 2016. Since 2017, she has served as the CIO/CISO at Reliscale Consulting Pvt Ltd, where she led the Client organization’s cybersecurity strategy and governance. 

Her work has been recognized with several awards, including the Infosec Award in 2019 and the Women Achiever’s Award in 2020. Throughout her 23-year career, she has navigated various roles and responsibilities, each contributing to her growth as a technology evangelist, quality and process expert, and cybersecurity leader.

Challenges and Achievements:

Ramkumari Iyer faced challenges early in her career, which was to break into the male-dominated field of IT infrastructure. As a woman, she encountered perceptions that this domain was not suitable for her. However, she persevered and proved her capabilities, demonstrating that gender should not be a barrier to success in technology.

Entering the field of cybersecurity was a natural progression for her, but it also presented unique challenges. She had to stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats, continuously updating her knowledge and skills. Her ability to obtain multiple certifications, including CISSP, CISA, and GDPR, showcased her commitment to professional development and her dedication to protecting organizations from cyber threats.

Consistently delivering results under tight milestones has been a significant challenge throughout her career. She had to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring that her teams met their objectives while maintaining high-quality standards. Her proactive leadership skills, ability to prioritize tasks, and effective communication have been instrumental in overcoming these challenges.

As a leader, one of the biggest challenges has been working with teams that have passion but lack experience. She had to invest time and effort into training and developing her team members, ensuring that they were equipped with the necessary skills to deliver as per SLAs and secure sign-offs. Her ability to mentor and motivate her teams has been crucial in fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Throughout her career, she has faced numerous challenges, from breaking gender stereotypes to adapting to new domains and leading high-performing teams. Her ability to overcome these obstacles and achieve remarkable success is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to excellence in the field of technology.

She has over 10 CIO, and CISO awards and nominations, from areas ranging from Cybersecurity, DevOps, and Privacy frameworks. These are the following:

• CIO Award Winner: Recognized as one of the Next 100 CIOs in 2015 by IT Next. 
• India's Best CIOs 2016: Awarded by DELL EMC for outstanding leadership in information technology. 
• Infosec Award Winner: Honored in 2019 for excellence in information security. 
• Women Achiever’s Award: Received in 2019 and 2020 for contributions to the field and promoting women in technology.
• Technical Excellence Award: Awarded in 2021 and 2022 for outstanding performance in technical leadership.
• Digital Transformation Officer Power Award: Recognized for significant contributions to digital transformation initiatives. 
• DevOps and InfoSec Global Influencer: Acknowledged for influence in the fields of DevOps and cybersecurity.
• Leadership in Cybersecurity: As CIO/CISO at Reliscale Consulting Pvt Ltd, led the development and implementation of comprehensive information security strategies that align with organizational goals. 
• Implementation of Security Frameworks: Developed and enhanced security frameworks, ensuring compliance with global standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI-DSS. 
• Third-Party Risk Management: Managed third-party oversight teams to ensure effective technology risk management of vendors, enhancing the organization’s security posture. 
• Internal Audits and Assessments: Conducted numerous internal audits and assessments in IT and applications, significantly improving compliance and security measures. 
• Information Security Governance: Facilitated the establishment of a robust information security governance structure, including the formation of an information security steering committee. 
• Cybersecurity Tools Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in various cybersecurity tools and methodologies, including vulnerability assessments, threat modeling, and incident response planning. 
• Development of Security Training Programs: Created and managed targeted information security awareness training programs for employees, enhancing the overall security culture within organizations. 
• Risk Management Frameworks: Developed and implemented risk management frameworks that integrate with organizational processes, ensuring a proactive approach to security. 
• Advanced Program in Strategy Management: Completed at IIMC, enhancing strategic management skills. 
• Multiple Certifications: Holds numerous certifications, including PMP, CISSP, CISA, and certifications in GDPR, DevOps, and ITIL, reflecting a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Recipient of Cyber Champion Award, Business Transformation Award, CF100 Cyber Influencer Titan Award 2024

Personal Insights:

Talking about her work-life balance, she says that thanks to her loving family and their support, she can travel and work on tight schedules. She ensures that she doesn’t miss out on important dates in her personal life, so she regains the energy and focus required to continue.

Impact and Vision:

She tries to lead by example. She spent significant time and effort to train and develop her team in the industry's best practices. Apart from frequent online meetings, she prefers to meet face to face and discuss issues, and challenges and help develop rapport and trust.

She was more and more involved in many Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC projects) in Cybersecurity, Privacy, and IT Governance areas. Security by design and IT-OT security are some of her favorite subjects.

Eventually, she would like to move on to the CEO role, as she has been thinking more from a business point of view, and the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the success of any organization.

Conclusion:

Ramkumari advises young women to show interest and be enthusiastic to learn and relearn. Grab opportunities and take risks. Be aware of the changes happening all around in the business and society, and be ready to embrace change.