Priyanka Neelakrishnan
Ms. Priyanka Neelakrishnan Product Management and Information Security Enthusiast, An Exclusive Conversation with Sandra Rich, Editor-in-Chief of CIOTODAY, Unveiling the Remarkable Journey of Ms. Priyanka Neelakrishnan. (Product Management and Information Security Enthusiast, Expertise in the Networking and Cybersecurity Industry) for achieving Innovation Leader of The Year – Cybersecurity Published on :- 21 Sep 2024 Awarded by Bizox Media Network as Global Technology Leaders Awards 2024 Driving Innovation in Autonomous Data Security: The Priyanka Neelakrishnan Journey Priyanka Neelakrishnan, B.E., M.S., M.B.A., is a seasoned product leader in the autonomous data security realm. Her journey has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation, with pivotal roles in conceptualizing, leading, and launching cutting-edge data security solutions for industry giants such as Palo Alto Networks and Symantec by Broadcom. One of Priyanka’s standout achievements was her groundbreaking work at Symantec, spearheading the development and rollout of the company’s pioneering Cloud Enterprise DLP solution. Tailored for large enterprises, this innovative solution integrated state-of-the-art data loss prevention technologies, including exact data matching (EDM), indexed data matching (IDM), optical character recognition (OCR), and vector machine learning (VML). In recent years, Priyanka has continued to push boundaries with the introduction of forward-thinking data security solutions like cloud applications posture management, suspicious user activity detection, zero-trust-based user access control, enterprise data loss prevention migrator, and an auto-tagging recommendation system for cloud applications. These solutions address national cybersecurity executive orders issued by US President Biden in recent years. Priyanka’s impact transcends product development, with her strategic initiatives driving substantial revenue growth. Notably, she achieved remarkable success in increasing revenue turnover for SaaS data security products, with the CASB solution, a critical component of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), contributing significantly to a 150% year-over-year growth in the SASE segment. Leveraging her background in software-defined networks and data security, Priyanka is uniquely positioned to drive the security solutions consolidation strategy with SASE. Currently, Priyanka holds a leadership position overseeing a cloud data security product portfolio valued at $200 million. Beyond her professional endeavors, Priyanka is a dedicated researcher and published author committed to advancing the cybersecurity industry for a safer world. Her dedication has earned her prestigious industry awards such as the Stevie Awards and Titan Award. Priyanka’s passion for continuous learning and knowledge-sharing extends to her role as a lifelong student with curiosity and a sought-after speaker. She captivates audiences with her expertise in product management and cybersecurity. Through her work and contributions, Priyanka continues to inspire and drive positive change in the cybersecurity landscape. The conversation below dives deep into Priyanka Neelakrishnan’s remarkable journey, her myriad accomplishments, invaluable insights, and her visionary perspective on the future of data security. Can you share your journey into cybersecurity? What initially drew you to this field? I began my career in networking, specifically focusing on network security. During my time at Ericsson, following my master’s thesis on software-defined networks, my expertise in networking was highly regarded by my seniors. They encouraged me to explore Layer 7 security, also known as application security. Intrigued by the challenge, I delved into understanding how organizations protect their data. I was struck by the dual nature of technology as both a powerful tool and a potential vulnerability. The complexities of information security and the ongoing effort to safeguard sensitive data in our digital world fascinated me. This curiosity drove me to pursue a career where I could make a significant impact by developing innovative security solutions. What were some of the key challenges you faced when starting out in cybersecurity, and how did you overcome them? Transitioning from network security to application security presented significant challenges. I needed to shift my focus from network infrastructure to safeguarding application data in transit and at rest. The rapidly evolving threat landscape demanded constant learning to stay updated. To tackle these obstacles, I pursued a multifaceted approach. Continuous learning was paramount; I attended industry conferences, forums, and obtained relevant certifications to stay abreast of developments. Seeking practical experience, I immersed myself in high-impact projects at Symantec, witnessing the immediate impact of my contributions. Mentorship from experienced colleagues at Ericsson and Symantec provided invaluable guidance in navigating application security nuances. Collaboration with cross-functional teams enriched my perspective and approach to security solutions. Embracing innovation and adaptability was crucial; constant innovation allowed me to stay ahead while learning. Transitioning into leadership roles, I prioritized fostering an inclusive environment that encouraged diverse contributions. These strategies and a genuine wish to help, enabled me to overcome initial challenges and make significant contributions to cybersecurity. What are some of the key projects or achievements in your decade-long career in data security that you are most proud of? In my decade-long career in data security, I introduced the first cloud data loss prevention solution for enterprise customers, incorporating advanced content detection technologies. I’ve spearheaded the development of cutting-edge solutions like SaaS API Security, SaaS Inline Security, SSPM, and UEBA, significantly enhancing our company’s security offerings. My contributions led to the introduction of industry-leading products, resulting in a remarkable 150% year-over-year growth in CASB adoption. I played a pivotal role in pioneering Zero Trust-based access control solutions aligned with national cybersecurity directives. Solutions developed under my leadership have garnered recognition from industry analysts like Gartner and Forrester, highlighting our impact on the cybersecurity landscape. I devised a flexible model for selling cloud services, driving over 60% adoption among VM customers. Additionally, I conceptualized and implemented the CASB-X release, generating over $20M in revenue within a single quarter, showcasing our ability to deliver high-impact solutions. These achievements underscore my dedication to advancing data security practices and developing innovative solutions that empower organizations in the digital age. You were the first to release a cloud data loss prevention product for enterprise customers. Can you elaborate on that? Absolutely! Launching the inaugural cloud data loss prevention (DLP) product tailored for enterprise customers marked a pivotal milestone in my career. This solution directly tackled the urgent demand for robust data protection within enterprise cloud