Relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and leadership in India’s top IT organizations
As Ramkumari Harisankar Iyer, my career spanning over 26 years has been a transformative journey in the realms of IT, cybersecurity, DevOps, and compliance. My path has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and leadership in some of India’s top IT organizations, coupled with a commitment to fostering secure, compliant, and efficient technological ecosystems. Below, I elaborate on my career journey and the felicitations that have marked my contributions to the industry.
My professional journey began in 1995 at **EFTIA OSS Solutions, Mumbai**, where I served as a Technical Lead for nearly seven years. This role laid the foundation for my technical expertise, as I honed my skills in network design, system integration, and project delivery. Working on operational support systems exposed me to the intricacies of telecommunications and IT infrastructure, sparking my interest in robust, scalable solutions.
In 2002, I joined **Infosys, Bangalore**, as a **Project Manager**, where I managed complex IT projects for global clients. This role sharpened my leadership and stakeholder management skills, as I navigated cross-functional teams and delivered high-impact projects under tight deadlines. My exposure to enterprise-level IT services deepened my understanding of IT governance and service management frameworks like ITIL.
From 2005 to 2007, I served as a **Senior Manager-Projects** at **IGATE, Bangalore**, where I led large-scale IT initiatives, focusing on process optimization and quality management. This period was pivotal in my adoption of frameworks like CMMI and Lean Six Sigma, which became cornerstones of my approach to operational excellence.
My tenure at **Wipro Technologies** (2007–2010) as a **Senior Manager** saw me driving strategic IT projects with an emphasis on network security and application architectures. I began integrating cybersecurity into project lifecycles, conducting vulnerability assessments, and embedding secure-by-design principles—early steps toward my specialization in DevSecOps.
At **TCS, Bangalore** (2010–2012), as a **Senior Consultant-Program Lead**, I spearheaded compliance-driven programs, aligning IT operations with global regulatory standards like ISO 27001 and GDPR. My expertise in risk management and compliance controls grew significantly, as I worked closely with clients in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
From 2012 to 2015, I was a **Senior Delivery Program Executive** at **IBM, Bangalore**, where I led end-to-end delivery of IT and cybersecurity programs for Fortune 500 clients. I championed the adoption of cloud security frameworks (AWS, Azure) and implemented STAR controls, enhancing clients’ resilience in cloud environments. My focus on metrics-driven governance and IT service management (ITSM) tools solidified my reputation as a process and quality expert.
Between 2015 and 2017, as **Vice President, IT** at **MFX Fairfax, QuessCorp, Bangalore**, I drove digital transformation initiatives, integrating DevOps toolchains (e.g., Jenkins, Docker, Splunk) and fostering a culture of continuous integration and delivery. My leadership in cybersecurity governance and privacy frameworks, including GDPR and HIPAA, positioned the organization as a compliance leader.
Since 2017, I have been the **CIO/CISO** at **Reliscale Consulting Pvt Ltd, Bangalore**, where I lead strategic initiatives in cybersecurity, DevOps, and AI governance. My role involves architecting secure, compliant IT ecosystems, driving ISO 42001 (AI Management Systems) implementations, and fostering DevSecOps practices. I’ve built internal tools and methodologies to enhance infrastructure security, conducted extensive audits in cloud and on-premises environments, and established governance structures like privacy advisory boards. My work with global regulatory frameworks (NIST, GDPR, MAS) and advanced technologies (threat modeling, predictive analytics, DLP) has empowered organizations to achieve business outcomes while maintaining robust security postures.
Throughout my career, I’ve cultivated expertise in **DevOps toolchains** (GIT, Maven, Fortinet, Puppet, Chef, Nagios, Jira), **cybersecurity tools** (IDS/IPS, firewalls, DLP, anomaly detection), and **compliance frameworks** (ISO 27001, ISO 20000, PCI-DSS, SOC1/SOC2, HIPAA). My certifications, including **CISSP, CISA, CCSK, GDPR-DPO, and ISO Lead Auditor** for multiple standards, reflect my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry best practices. My academic credentials, including a **BE in Electronics & Telecommunications** from PSG Tech, Coimbatore, and advanced programs from IIM and IIMC, have equipped me with strategic and technical acumen.
My career has been a blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for security and compliance. From a technical lead to a CISO, I’ve evolved by embracing emerging technologies, mastering regulatory landscapes, and nurturing high-performing teams. My felicitations are not just personal milestones but a testament to the collaborative efforts of the teams and organizations I’ve served. As I continue to lead at Reliscale Consulting, my focus remains on embedding security-by-design, advancing AI governance, and empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence. My journey exemplifies a relentless pursuit of excellence, blending technical mastery with visionary leadership to shape the future of cybersecurity and digital transformation.
