Written by Anna Thompson
Photo credit: Gopinath Sadhanantham
Gopinath Sadhanantham, a senior technical architect at Capital One Financial Services, is essential in improving cloud systems using AWS (Amazon Web Services), particularly focusing on AWS Lambda and Fargate, the services that allows developers to run code without managing servers. With over 15 years of experience in software engineering, Sadhanantham helps the company save money and boost efficiency, two major needs for financial institutions handling huge amounts of data and transactions daily.
Sadhanantham’s focus is making AWS Lambda more efficient. He explains, “We’ve seen up to 40% cost savings by fine-tuning Lambda functions and adopting a more granular scaling strategy.” In finance, the ability to manage fast-growing data needs is essential. As more people use online services, the systems that handle their data must be flexible and affordable.
Real-Time Fraud Detection: The Future of Financial Security
As online transactions continue to rise, real-time fraud detection has become essential for banks and financial services. He has been part of a team that designs systems to detect fraud as it happens, preventing losses for both the company and its customers. With criminals constantly evolving their methods, the technology to combat fraud has to be one step ahead.
“We designed our fraud detection systems with speed in mind,” says Sadhanantham. “The system needs to analyze thousands of data points per second to identify anomalies in real-time, and any delay could mean millions in fraudulent transactions.” AWS plays a big role here, using services like AWS Kinesis, which processes data streams, and AWS Lambda, which runs the necessary code without delay.
These systems must process huge amounts of information, looking for unusual transaction patterns. Sadhanantham and his team have developed systems that combine machine learning (ML) and big data to detect fraud accurately while keeping the process fast. Systems can handle large amounts of data and adapt to new types of fraud, making it more difficult for criminals to get away with scams.
Managing Cloud Costs and Infrastructure
Running large-scale cloud systems can be expensive, and reducing these costs has been a major focus of Sadhanantham’s work. Capital One uses AWS, one of the largest cloud service providers in the world, to run its systems. However, using such services can become expensive if not managed properly. He leads efforts to optimize how cloud resources are used to reduce costs while keeping the systems reliable.
One of the main ways to save money on cloud services is through serverless computing, where systems like AWS Lambda only run when necessary instead of running constantly. “We moved from static provisioning to a dynamic scaling model that adjusts to traffic demands in real-time,” says Sadhanantham. This strategy helps Capital One avoid paying for unused cloud resources while still being able to handle high levels of traffic when needed.
By closely monitoring how cloud resources are used and setting up systems that can adapt automatically, Sadhanantham has helped the company save significant money. This ensures that Capital One can manage the high demand for its services without overspending on technology.
Building Scalable Systems for Financial Institutions
For large companies like Capital One, it is crucial to have systems that can scale up when needed. Scaling refers to the ability of a system to handle more users or transactions without slowing down or crashing. Sadhanantham has led many projects to ensure the company’s systems can handle customer and transaction volume growth.
Sadhanantham’s systems handle thousands of transactions every second, which include processing credit card payments and verifying customer information. To manage this, Sadhanantham relies on AWS tools that allow systems to grow as needed. The company can handle high activity levels without any delays by using tools that automatically adjust the system’s size based on real-time demand.
One area where Sadhanantham has made a significant impact is cloud cost management. He and his team use AWS to track usage and adjust cloud resources based on need. “We’ve integrated automated tools to monitor our system’s performance and costs in real time, making sure we’re staying within budget without sacrificing performance,” he shares.
Developing Future Talent
In addition to his technical work, Sadhanantham mentors younger engineers at Capital One. He believes in sharing knowledge and helping others grow, ensuring the company continues innovating. He regularly mentors team members, encouraging them to take on new challenges and think creatively about improving existing systems.
“I believe in empowering teams to take ownership of their projects and constantly seek ways to improve existing systems,” says Sadhanantham. His approach helps develop future leaders within the company and ensures that the systems Capital One uses are always evolving to meet new challenges.
