In the heart of Dallas, Texas, resides a cybersecurity expert whose career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Akhil Mittal, Managing Consultant in Cybersecurity at Synopsys, has carved out a niche for himself as a visionary leader and a relentless protector of digital infrastructures. Over an illustrious 19-year career, Akhil’s journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication, innovative mindset, and exceptional leadership skills.
The Early Days: A Passion for Technology
Akhil’s fascination with technology began at an early age. Growing up, he was always intrigued by how things worked, constantly tinkering with gadgets and computers. This curiosity led him to pursue a career in technology, where he quickly realized the importance of cybersecurity in our increasingly digital world. Akhil’s early years were spent honing his skills and building a strong foundation in application security, network security, and regulatory compliance.
Rising Through the Ranks: From Infosys to HCL Software
Akhil’s professional journey took a significant turn when he joined Infosys Limited. Here, he led the delivery of cybersecurity offerings, focusing on security program planning, cyber-risk assessments, and implementation. His ability to drive revenue growth and business expansion within client accounts, while ensuring client satisfaction, set him apart. Akhil’s strategic direction and mentorship guided his team to execute tasks with precision and efficiency, establishing him as a respected leader in the field.
At HCL Software, Akhil’s leadership skills were put to the test as he built an application security program from the ground up. He constructed enterprise capabilities across people, processes, and technology, devising comprehensive business plans and initiating capabilities such as metrics, training, developer enablement, security champions, security requirements, secure SDLC, and static analysis. His efforts laid a strong foundation for the company’s future growth and success in cybersecurity.
Synopsys: Leading with Vision and Impact
In 2022, Akhil joined Synopsys as a Managing Consultant, where he took on the challenge of driving anchored account growth and cultivating client relationships. His role involved overseeing project delivery, managing P&L, and fostering talent development. Under his leadership, Synopsys experienced double-digit year-over-year growth, with revenue for anchored accounts doubling within two years. Akhil’s strategic insights and business acumen were instrumental in enhancing the company’s service offerings and ensuring client satisfaction.
At Synopsys, Akhil led the design and execution of strategic solutions aimed at assisting customers in constructing and maintaining secure software environments. He became the foremost authority in application security, actively involved in penetration testing, supply chain security, DevSecOps, cloud security, AI/ML security, zero trust strategy/maturity action plan, NIST CSF, IoT security, and managed security testing services. His ability to present strategy and business review communications at the executive level guided discussions and provided valuable insights.
Thought Leadership and Contributions
Akhil’s thought leadership in cybersecurity is widely recognized. He has authored influential pieces, including “Trustworthiness of Big Data” in the International Journal of Computer Applications and “Afraid of Unknown? VUCA is the New Normal.” His insights into the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world have resonated with many, providing valuable perspectives on thriving amidst uncertainty.
Beyond his primary role, Akhil has been appointed as a judge for the Globee Information Technology Awards, contributing his expertise in Cyber Security and Technology. He has volunteered for ISC2 exam development workshops, participated in ISC2’s Content Advisory Panel, and reviewed educational scholarships for ISC2. His peer review activities for the Cloud Security Alliance underscore his commitment to advancing cybersecurity practices globally.
Notable Projects: A Story of Impact
Akhil’s career is punctuated with several notable projects that showcase his profound impact on the field of cybersecurity. Early in his career, he led the implementation of BSIMM and SSI-MAP assessments, providing organizations with detailed evaluations of their application security programs. These assessments not only identified areas of improvement but also established robust frameworks for enhancing security maturity.
One of Akhil’s significant achievements was conducting comprehensive security control risk assessments, ensuring alignment with the NIST CSF framework. This project involved meticulous analysis of security policies, standards, and procedures, ultimately fortifying the security posture of his clients. His collaboration with CISOs to craft and implement information security strategies, including application security, penetration testing, identity management, and data governance, further demonstrated his ability to develop holistic security solutions.
Akhil also spearheaded vulnerability assessments and data security initiatives for over 1200 applications. His leadership in overseeing SAST, DAST, and IAST processes ensured the timely identification and remediation of vulnerabilities. This proactive approach not only safeguarded critical assets but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance.
In another noteworthy project, Akhil architected a migration framework for legacy source data. This involved extracting, transforming, validating, enriching, and loading data, ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining data integrity. His innovative solutions in data security and migration have been instrumental in helping organizations navigate complex digital transformations.
Akhil’s commitment to quality management was evident in his adoption of an industry-standard Quality Management (QM) services model. This model delivered consistent quality results, improved efficiency, and scaled effectively with business demand. His ability to implement and oversee such comprehensive solutions underscores his expertise and dedication to excellence in cybersecurity.
Conclusion
Akhil Mittal’s journey in cybersecurity is a story of passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His ability to lead, innovate, and educate within the industry sets him apart as a visionary and a protector in the digital age. As cyber threats continue to evolve, professionals like Akhil ensure that our digital world remains secure, resilient, and robust.
