2025

Cybersecurity and Risk Management Judging Panel

Global Recognition Awards
GRA Judge Akash Kilaru
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Akash Kilaru

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Profile

Akash Kilaru, Vice President at City National Bank in Los Angeles, California, is a seasoned professional with over 11 years of experience in technical project lifecycle management. His expertise in integrating AI into financial services has significantly enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and customer experiences at the bank. Kilaru has been instrumental in advancing cybersecurity measures, ensuring the protection of sensitive data and operational continuity. His strategic insights and proactive approach to emerging threats have positioned him as a leading figure in the fintech sector, demonstrating his exceptional qualifications and innovative leadership in information technology.

GRA Judge Praveen Tripathi
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Praveen Tripathi

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Praveen Tripathi, Global Technology Head at HCLTech, is an accomplished leader in digital transformation, AI, cloud services, and cybersecurity. With over 20 years of experience, he has led large-scale IT modernization projects for Fortune 500 companies. Tripathi’s innovative integration of advanced technologies, commitment to ethical technology adoption, and focus on mentoring emerging tech leaders have earned him numerous accolades, including a 2024 Gold Stevie® Award and recognition as one of the World’s 10 Most Dynamic Tech Leaders. His expertise and leadership continue to shape the global technology landscape.

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Dinesh Besiahgari

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Dinesh Besiahgari is a technology leader specializing in cloud computing, AI, and frontend engineering. As a Frontend Engineer at AWS, he leads the development of large-scale applications for AWS websites and AWS TV, delivering solutions used by millions globally. He holds deep expertise in building scalable, secure architectures and has contributed to research in AI, blockchain, and medical imaging, with several publications and patents to his name. A certified AWS Solutions Architect, he has successfully managed cloud migrations and optimized IT infrastructures. Besiahgari’s thought leadership spans IoT, 5G, cybersecurity, and healthcare, making him highly qualified to assess innovation and excellence.

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Gene Schank

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Gene Schank is a distinguished leader in cloud computing and cybersecurity education. As Director of Google Cloud Training at Jellyfish, he has shaped industry standards through his expertise in cloud migration, data security, and architecture. His work at Jellyfish has empowered countless professionals, fostering improved cloud adoption and cybersecurity practices globally. Schank’s extensive experience, particularly at Infosys, has solidified his position as a thought leader. His innovative teaching methods and mentorship have positively influenced students and professionals worldwide, contributing significantly to the advancement of cloud technology and cybersecurity across various organizations and industries.

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Bhagyashree Deokar

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Bhagyashree Deokar brings over a decade of engineering leadership and research expertise in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Her groundbreaking work in intrusion detection systems has influenced multiple patents by major tech companies and is cited in over 50 academic publications. At Salesforce, she leads critical enterprise software platform & applications development, impacting millions of users globally. Her technical innovations span cybersecurity, AI, and enterprise software platform & applications. Beyond technical achievements, she champions diversity in technology through mentorship programs. She was a founding member of initiatives such as the Service Cloud Women in Tech group, showcasing her comprehensive leadership in the industry. She has held various roles at Techwomen.org, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), further highlighting her commitment to driving positive change.

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Judge -Suchismita Chatterjee
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Suchismita Chatterjee

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Suchismita Chatterjee is a cybersecurity specialist with over a decade of experience in IT infrastructure, security architecture, and cloud security. She has designed and implemented security protocols across AWS, Azure, and GCP platforms, focusing on protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks like SOC2, HIPAA, and GDPR. Chatterjee’s expertise spans complex risk management strategies, automated compliance systems, and innovative platform controls that enhance enterprise-level security. Her practical experience in developing security frameworks for critical infrastructure and her academic contributions make her a qualified judge, capable of evaluating the technical merit and real-world application of cutting-edge technological advancements.

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Surendra Vitla

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Profile

Surendra Vitla works as a lead security consultant at TechDemocracy, where he designs and implements enterprise-level identity and access management solutions. He creates security frameworks that protect organizations’ digital assets using technologies like SailPoint, Okta, and AWS. His work involves evaluating security risks, developing governance protocols, and implementing advanced threat detection systems. He trains senior IT professionals in identity governance and regularly advises organizations on cybersecurity strategy. His security implementations have successfully protected critical infrastructure while maintaining high system availability and user access efficiency across multiple industry sectors.

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