Aparna Achanta Principal Security Architect at IBM Aparna Achanta, Principal Security Architect at IBM, has been honored with the prestigious title of “Most Outstanding Cybersecurity Architect in Digital Transformation.” by CToday Awards. This recognition highlights her trailblazing work in safeguarding digital ecosystems and her transformative contributions to advancing security architecture across industries. Inspiration Behind a Career in Security Architecture Aparna’s journey into security architecture began during her early career as a software engineer in 2014. While developing Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, she observed a critical issue: the neglect of security in the rush to deliver applications quickly. With 1/3 of SaaS implementations susceptible to data breaches, she felt compelled to address this vulnerability. “This issue drew me to security and inspired me to pivot my career,” Aparna shares. “Becoming a Security Architect allows me to protect the data of millions of users and govern security processes to build robust cloud environments.” Her passion and commitment have been instrumental in shaping her career, eventually leading her to the esteemed role of Principal Security Architect at IBM. Ensuring Compliance with Global Security Standards In her role, Aparna ensures her clients comply with a wide range of global security standards and regulations, including FedRamp, FISMA, NIST RMF, NIST CSF and ISO standards. “Staying updated with global security regulations is critical as they evolve constantly,” Aparna explains. “Regularly reviewing updates from organizations like NIST, ISO, or CIS ensures our compliance and strengthens our security posture.” Her in-depth knowledge of frameworks like NIST standards and OWASP CVE enables her to navigate the complexities of different industries and regions effectively. Achievements and Milestones in 2024 This year, Aparna Achanta has garnered widespread recognition for her exceptional contributions to cybersecurity. She became a member of the prestigious Forbes Technology Council, further solidifying her position as a thought leader in the tech industry. Her achievements include receiving the Titan Business Award for “Strengthening security posture of US Federal agencies” and the Claro Award for excellence in Information Technology. Additionally, Aparna earned a Global Recognition Award for her pivotal role in securing vital healthcare applications. As a founding member of the WomenTech Network, she continues to champion diversity and empowerment in technology, inspiring others to pursue impactful careers in the field. The Impact of Recognition Being named the Most Outstanding Security Architect in Digital Transformation by CToday Awards has been a significant milestone for Aparna. “This recognition is both humbling and motivating,” she shares. “It encourages me to push boundaries in cybersecurity and contribute through a continuous learning and growth mindset. It also gives me a credible platform to mentor aspiring professionals and help them launch their careers in tech and security.” Advice for Aspiring Security Architects Aparna’s advice to those aiming to excel in cybersecurity is straightforward and impactful. “Cybersecurity is demanding but incredibly rewarding,” she states. “There is a significant skills shortage in this field, which creates opportunities for those passionate about securing the digital world. Start your journey, master the fundamentals, pursue security certifications, and stay updated on the latest threats. Find a mentor and build a strong network of experts to guide and support you. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in making the digital world safer for everyone. A Vision for the Future Aparna’s leadership and dedication continue to transform security architecture in digital transformation. As she pushes forward, her vision remains clear: to empower organizations with robust security frameworks and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to build a safer, more secure world.

Balaji Gangishetty Senior Vice President at Persistent Balaji Gangishetty is a Senior Vice President at Persistent for Hi-Tech and Independent Software Vendor (ISV) business. He brings 25+ years of global consulting, digital product engineering, P&L, GTM strategy, and sales experience with passion for delivering better product outcomes and business value for his clients. Despite his go-to-market leadership role today, Balaji still identifies as an engineer at heart, shaped by his two decades experience in the Silicon Valley, working with several enterprises and emerging startup companies building commercially successful products. His career trajectory is defined by end-to-end product development expertise and a deep commitment to solving business challenges through innovative solutions. A Journey from Developer to Go-to-Market LeadershipBalaji’s professional path began in product development, building a foundation that continues to guide him today. His transition to sales engineering marked a turning point; in this role, Balaji gained a broader view of how technology could drive business value. He learned the intricacies of presenting value propositions and establishing technical credibility with clients. Rather than pivoting directly into sales, Balaji deepened his understanding of the end-to-end product development lifecycle. For a decade, he focused on building solutions that catered to global markets, gaining critical insights into customer needs and market trends. His hands-on experience managing full product life cycle gave him a holistic understanding of building commercially successful solutions. Driving Go-to-Market Strategy and Growth at PersistentAs a Senior Vice President at Persistent, Balaji primarily focuses on creating and executing strategies that elevate Persistent’s position as a Digital Engineering and Enterprise Modernization services leader. In his role, Balaji takes the time to understand each client’s business and product priorities, ensuring that Persistent’s offerings evolve alongside client needs. His practitioner-driven methodology ensures that Persistent is not just a service provider, but a trusted partner, delivering solutions that make a real impact. Fostering Innovation, Client Success and One-TeamTo effectively manage the organizational changes prevalent in the Hi-Tech industry, Balaji recommends that his clients consult with a partner firm specializing in digital product engineering services with a strong product engineering DNA. Such a partnership can accelerate innovation, enhance product roadmaps, and support modernization with a global engineering footprint. Engaging with experts who bring a product mindset, rather than a project or consulting mindset, is critical for success. At the heart of Balaji’s work is a firm belief in the power of innovation. He champions the idea that solving complex business challenges requires fresh thinking and cutting-edge technologies. Whether it’s helping clients improve their market positioning or gaining competitive advantage, Balaji is committed to delivering solutions that drive client success. His approach is rooted in increasing the “innovation quotient”, ensuring the Company brings new ideas and thought leadership to every client engagement. This emphasis on innovation allows Persistent to streamline its clients’ product development processes, leading to more efficient and timely launches. Navigating Challenges in Global MarketsBalaji approaches his role with a problem-solving mindset. He believes the core of his job is to simplify complex business challenges for clients, and he achieves this by first understanding the “why” behind each client’s needs. Focusing on the underlying business problem enables him to craft solutions that provide clarity and deliver meaningful outcomes. One of Balaji’s most significant career experiences was during his tenure in a global P&L role, where he built and managed global teams and businesses. His time heading diverse teams and working with global clients allowed him to develop a deeper understanding of leadership at scale. A key challenge Balaji faces is managing cross-cultural collaboration, with teams spread across North America, LATAM, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Balaji emphasizes the importance of one-team spirit, clear communication, and goal alignment to ensure these diverse teams work cohesively toward common goals. Once a solution is in place, he focuses on consistent execution and continuous improvement, which he views as critical to maintaining client trust and long-term success. Shaping Persistent’s AI-Led FutureLooking toward the future, Balaji is leading Persistent into an AI-driven future, aligning with the company’s strategic vision. By adopting an AI-led, platform-driven approach, Persistent is poised to deliver even more personalized and scalable solutions to its clients. Despite Persistent’s global scale, Balaji emphasizes the Company’s boutique and agile mindset, ensuring that each solution is customized to meet the specific needs of its clients. He aims to help clients achieve greater innovation, product acceleration, product portfolio consolidation, and R&D optimization with Persistent’s global technology center model, which allows the Company to draw on engineers worldwide to streamline client strategies and product cycles. Empowering the Next Generation of LeadersBalaji is passionate about empowering the next generation of professionals, who he believes are ambitious and full of potential. For him, creating an environment where they can freely share and debate their ideas is crucial to fostering creativity and innovation. He regularly encourages young professionals to focus not only on the technology, but also on the broader business challenges they are addressing. Balaji believes that understanding the “reasoning” behind their work is key to their long-term success. Additionally, he stresses the importance of transparent dialogue, collaborative effort, and fostering strong connections—skills that are becoming increasingly essential in today’s digital work environments. Envisioning the Path ForwardAs he looks ahead, Balaji’s focus remains on leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to deepen Persistent’s impact on the Hi-tech & ISV industry. His relentless pursuit of innovation and dedication to client outcomes will contribute to Persistent’s goal in becoming a $2 billion enterprise within the next three years, while remaining a trusted partner in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Connect with Balaji on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/balaji-gangishetty-bg-3962aa3/