Mr. Upendra Kanuru   for being awarded “International DevSecOps Leader of The Year – Information Technology (USA)“

Awarded by Bizox Media Network as a Global Technology Leaders Awards 2025

Questionnaire for Exclusive Interview:

Kindly brief us about the outset of your career.

My career trajectory commenced in August 2011 at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where I systematically advanced through roles as a Developer, Senior Developer, and ultimately, a Module Lead. My foundational contributions at TCS involved the meticulous analysis of existing systems, the development of innovative components, and the optimization of processes to enhance efficiency and ensure quality. A significant early undertaking included the development and ongoing maintenance of a sophisticated mainframe policy administration system, critical to insurance operations. This pivotal experience cultivated my deep technical proficiency across mainframes, databases, and quality assurance methodologies. These formative roles were instrumental in honing my capabilities to comprehend complex systems and engineer robust solutions, thereby establishing the crucial technical bedrock for my subsequent specialization in cloud technologies and DevSecOps.

As a successful leader, which three personal qualities do you believe contributed most to your success?

When reflecting on the personal qualities most instrumental to my success, three stand out prominently:

• Adaptability: The technology landscape is in perpetual evolution, particularly within the dynamic realms of cloud and DevSecOps. My career trajectory, spanning from foundational mainframe systems to cutting-edge cloud architectures, has consistently demanded a profound willingness to embrace novel tools, methodologies, and challenges. This inherent flexibility has been critical in successfully navigating complex public cloud transformation projects and seamlessly transitioning across diverse technological stacks.

• Proactive Learning: This quality works hand-in-hand with adaptability. I am consistently driven to acquire new knowledge and skills, not merely in response to immediate needs, but by actively anticipating industry shifts and future demands. This commitment is clearly evidenced by my continuous pursuit of advanced certifications in areas such as FinOps, SRE, and AI, complemented by my ongoing doctoral studies specializing in Cybersecurity. This dedication ensures I remain at the forefront of innovation, consistently equipped to deliver optimal solutions.

• Collaboration and Communication: Effective leadership in a globalized, technology-driven environment necessitates exceptional collaboration and communication. My experience working with diverse teams across multiple countries—including India, Mexico, and the US —and my direct engagement with client directors, executives, and vice presidents, have significantly honed my ability to articulate complex technical concepts with clarity. This proficiency has been pivotal in fostering a cohesive “One Team One Vision” environment, crucial for successful project execution and stakeholder alignment.

What are the aims and ideals that guide you as an individual and a professional?

As an individual and a professional, I am fundamentally guided by two core aims: unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and an absolute focus on strategic value creation. My personal philosophy champions relentless self-betterment; this compels me to consistently learn, adapt, and refine my proficiencies, ensuring I contribute optimally to every challenge. My demonstrated track record, particularly in optimizing complex business processes through Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, directly reflects this dedication to operational excellence and enhanced efficiency.

Central to my professional ethos is the ideal of value creation. My overarching objective is to serve within agile leadership capacities, spearheading growth and transformation initiatives that precisely align with, and ultimately advance, organizational vision. This commitment translates into a tangible focus on delivering measurable business impact, whether achieved through boosting operational efficiency by 40% via strategic cloud migrations or through judiciously optimizing cloud spending by fostering a comprehensive FinOps culture.

What are the primary offerings of your company?

The primary offerings to which I contribute, based on my current and recent professional engagements, predominantly revolve around Cloud DevSecOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), and comprehensive IT transformation initiatives within the highly regulated insurance and financial services sectors.

At USAA, my recent focus has been on architecting and implementing robust DevOps pipelines and establishing advanced observability for the Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Content Management System on AWS Cloud. This foundational work enables omnichannel content delivery for a diverse portfolio of financial products. Key responsibilities included configuring stringent security controls for AEM components, developing automated lifecycle processes for critical infrastructure refresh, and ensuring high availability and disaster recovery across disparate AWS regions.

During my tenure at DISH Network, specifically supporting Sling TV, I specialized in critical SRE activities for their expansive video streaming platform. This encompassed establishing comprehensive observability for numerous technical components, automating cloud infrastructure deployments on AWS, and actively cultivating an SRE culture among development teams by defining clear Service Level Indicators (SLI), Objectives (SLO), and Agreements (SLA). My responsibilities also extended to performance testing, proactive incident management, and participating in the essential on-call rotation for production incidents.

Earlier at Tata Consultancy Services, my contributions were centered on large-scale cloud migration projects for the ALIP (Accenture Life and Annuities Insurance Platform), including hosting ALIP software on AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) and facilitating the migration of extensive datasets from on-premises to cloud-native databases. Furthermore, I was instrumental in enabling broader cloud DevOps practices, modernizing health acquisition workflows, and onboarding brokered health products. Collectively, my efforts consistently revolve around building, securing, optimizing, and managing resilient, cloud-native solutions tailored for the demanding requirements of large enterprises in regulated industries.

What have been the toughest obstacles you’ve faced in your career?

The most formidable obstacle throughout my career has consistently been navigating the intricate cultural and operational shifts inherent in large-scale digital transformations within traditional enterprise environments. The transition of clients from deeply entrenched, often mainframe-dependent systems to agile, cloud-native infrastructures transcends mere technical complexity; it represents a profound organizational and cultural undertaking. Overcoming inherent resistance to change, cultivating a collaborative DevOps and FinOps culture, and uniting diverse global teams (from India, Mexico, and the US) towards a unified vision and new operational paradigms has proven exceptionally demanding.

Furthermore, ensuring seamless business continuity during these high-stakes migrations, particularly when managing hundreds of millions of records or critical financial applications, imposes immense pressure and necessitates highly sophisticated problem-solving. The imperative to constantly innovate while rigorously upholding stability and stringent security standards within heavily regulated industries, such as insurance and financial services, layers on additional, significant complexity.

Mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organization and yourself.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive several notable recognitions. Personally, I was honored with a “Technical Excellence Award” from Tata Consultancy Services for creating numerous value-added items, including tools and induction documents, and for my contributions to supporting other teams and resolving complex issues. Earlier in my academic journey, I was recognized with a “Merit cum Means Scholarship” from Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering.

In terms of accreditations, I hold a comprehensive array of professional certifications that rigorously underscore my expertise. These include:

• LOMA Designations: Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI), Associate Life Management Institute (ALMI), Associate Annuity Products and Administration (AAPA), and Associate Customer Service (ACS), Academy for Healthcare Management (AHM-250).

• Agile and Project Management: SAFe Agilist, Professional Scrum Master. Six Sigma Green belt

• Cloud and DevOps: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, FinOps Certified Practitioner, Cloud+, New Relic Observability Foundations Badge, and various DevOps certifications.

Do you have a mantra that you live by?

A mantra that profoundly resonates with me is “Embrace continuous transformation.” This principle extends beyond mere technological evolution to encompass a holistic approach to personal and professional growth. It serves as a constant reminder that stagnation impedes progress, and that every challenge presents an invaluable opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve. This philosophy underpins my unwavering commitment to proactively seeking new knowledge and diligently applying innovative solutions to complex problems, consistently striving to deliver enhanced value.

Who in your life inspires you the most?

Throughout my life, my family has consistently been my profound source of inspiration. They meticulously instilled in me the core values of diligent work ethic, steadfast perseverance, and the paramount importance of education. Their unwavering support and profound belief in my potential have unequivocally served as the bedrock of my drive and ambition. Beyond this fundamental influence, I find continuous inspiration in innovators and visionaries who courageously challenge the status quo and relentlessly push the boundaries of what is conceivable, particularly those who harness technology to effect positive societal impact.

What would be your future endeavors, and where do you see yourself in the near future?

My future endeavors are firmly anchored at the dynamic intersection of advanced technology and strategic business transformation. I am committed to profoundly deepening my expertise in pioneering domains such as AI/ML Ops, sophisticated Cloud Architecture, and comprehensive Cybersecurity strategies, with a particular focus on their application within critical financial and healthcare infrastructures. My drive lies in exploring how these transformative technologies can fundamentally redefine industries, rather than merely instigating incremental enhancements.

In the near future, I envision myself continuing within a pivotal leadership capacity that seamlessly integrates strategic oversight with invaluable hands-on technical guidance. My aspiration is to spearhead larger, more complex transformation initiatives that rigorously leverage cloud-native solutions, advanced AI, and robust DevSecOps practices to generate significant operational efficiencies and cultivate novel revenue streams for global organizations. Critically, my ongoing doctoral research in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance will serve as a foundational pillar for these endeavors, rigorously ensuring that innovation is always constructed upon a resilient and secure bedrock. Furthermore, I am dedicated to mentoring emerging talent, cultivating environments that champion continuous learning, and actively shaping the strategic direction of a truly forward-thinking enterprise.

Your journey has been inspiring, and it sets a great example for aspiring leaders. What advice do you have for them?

For aspiring leaders, my foremost advice is to cultivate a mindset of relentless curiosity and continuous learning. The technological landscape is in constant flux; what is cutting-edge today may well be foundational, or even obsolete, tomorrow. Therefore, never cease learning, whether through formal education, professional certifications, or immersive, hands-on experimentation. Embrace new challenges as invaluable opportunities to expand your skill set and deepen your understanding.

Secondly, prioritize understanding the profound business value of technology, not merely the technology itself. Authentic leadership emerges from the ability to expertly bridge the divide between intricate technical solutions and tangible, measurable business outcomes. Cultivate the skill to clearly articulate precisely how your technical contributions directly impact efficiency, revenue generation, enhanced customer satisfaction, or robust risk reduction.

Thirdly, develop exceptionally strong communication and collaboration proficiencies. In essence, technology is inherently a team endeavor. Master the art of communicating effectively and persuasively with a diverse array of stakeholders—from technical teams and business leaders to external clients—and proactively construct bridges across varied functions and cultural landscapes.

Finally, do not shy away from taking calculated risks and purposefully stepping beyond your comfort zone. My own career trajectory involved a significant transition from established mainframe technologies to the highly dynamic world of cloud and DevOps. Embrace transformation, consistently demonstrate adaptability, and always endeavor to be a proactive catalyst for positive change within your organization.

Mr. Upendra Kanuru : https://www.linkedin.com/in/upendrakanuru/