A conversation with Srikanta Datta Prasad Tumkur.
In our hyperconnected world, cybersecurity has emerged not merely as a shield against adversaries but as the foundational enabler of digital trust and enterprise resilience. As organizations venture into hybrid and multi-cloud ecosystems, navigating complex regulatory landscapes while innovating at scale, the role of cybersecurity has become pivotal. I had the privilege of discussing these nuances with Srikanta Datta Prasad Tumkur, a seasoned technical leader whose experience spans designing secure architectures for distributed systems and preparing for the transformational wave of quantum computing.
How has the role of cybersecurity evolved in real-world contexts?
Cybersecurity today is the bedrock of trust in digital systems. In the past, it was akin to a fire extinguisher—something to be deployed when the flames arose. Now, it’s more like a fire-resistant structure integrated into the blueprint of every technological innovation.
Take the example of a global e-commerce platform. A decade ago, their primary concern might have been protecting credit card data. Today, they are safeguarding the entire customer journey—from login attempts flagged by AI for anomalous behavior to real-time fraud detection algorithms that halt suspicious transactions mid-flight. Cybersecurity has evolved into an anticipatory framework, ensuring that businesses can innovate without fear of compromise.
What are the key cybersecurity products in the market, and how do they solve real-world problems?
Cybersecurity products are as diverse as the threats they counter, each tailored to address specific vulnerabilities in an enterprise’s ecosystem. For example, consider a multinational financial institution relying on endpoint security solutions like CrowdStrike. These systems monitor thousands of devices, flagging unusual behavior and thwarting ransomware attacks that could otherwise cripple operations.
In the realm of cloud security, companies like Wiz have revolutionized the identification of misconfigurations—a problem that has haunted enterprises migrating workloads to platforms like AWS and Azure. A misconfigured storage bucket, such as the infamous cases where sensitive data was publicly exposed, can be quickly detected and remediated. Similarly, identity management solutions like Okta are a godsend for large corporations where employee turnover and remote work have amplified the challenge of managing access rights.
These tools are not just products; they are solutions born of real-world pain points, designed to avert disasters like data breaches that have cost enterprises billions in both revenue and reputation.
What are the challenges in securing hybrid and multi-cloud architectures?
Hybrid and multi-cloud architectures are a marvel of modern engineering but a quagmire of security challenges. Let me share a scenario: A healthcare provider adopts a hybrid model, storing patient records in an on-premise data center while leveraging the cloud for analytics. The challenge arises in maintaining a unified security posture. If an API connecting the two environments is misconfigured, it could expose sensitive patient data—a breach with both financial and regulatory consequences.
Adding to the complexity is the inconsistent enforcement of policies. For instance, a strict IAM policy applied in AWS may not seamlessly translate to GCP, creating gaps that attackers can exploit. Moreover, with applications and workloads dispersed, the attack surface multiplies exponentially. The challenge is not just technological but also operational—requiring a coordinated effort across teams and tools to achieve visibility and consistency.
Zero trust is a buzzword in cybersecurity. What does it mean in practice?
Zero trust is often touted as a paradigm shift, but at its core, it is an elegantly simple concept: never assume trust, always verify. In practice, this means dismantling the traditional notion of a secure perimeter. Imagine an organization with employees accessing sensitive systems remotely. Under a zero-trust framework, even an authenticated employee accessing the network would face continuous verification—perhaps through device posture checks or behavioral analytics.
Take the case of a global tech company rolling out zero trust for its DevOps teams. Engineers accessing production environments must pass multiple checks, from MFA to real-time risk scoring based on location and device health. The result? Even if an attacker compromises a set of credentials, the layers of verification thwart their progress, preventing breaches before they unfold.
How have Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS) evolved to tackle real-world threats?
IDS/IPS systems have matured from reactive tools to proactive sentinels. Let’s consider an energy provider managing critical infrastructure. An IDS detects an unusual surge in traffic to a control system managing power grids—an anomaly that could signal a cyberattack. A modern IPS immediately isolates the affected systems, preventing the anomaly from cascading into a blackout.
These systems are increasingly driven by machine learning. In one case, a financial institution’s IDS identified a sequence of small, innocuous-looking transactions as part of a larger exfiltration attempt. Without AI’s ability to connect the dots, such activity might have gone unnoticed. These tools now serve as the eyes and ears of modern enterprises, identifying and mitigating threats that evolve at the speed of thought.
Quantum computing is often described as a looming cybersecurity challenge. How should organizations prepare?
Quantum computing is the proverbial double-edged sword. While its computational prowess promises breakthroughs in fields like drug discovery, it simultaneously threatens to unravel the cryptographic algorithms that secure our digital world. Imagine a scenario where a cybercriminal archives encrypted financial transactions today, knowing that quantum capabilities tomorrow will render the encryption meaningless. This is not science fiction—it’s a strategic reality.
Organizations must act now. Post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, such as those being standardized by NIST, are a critical first step. Transitioning to these algorithms is no small task; it requires years of planning, particularly for systems deeply embedded in sectors like finance or healthcare. Forward-thinking enterprises are already running pilots, testing the waters for a quantum-resistant future.
What excites you most about the future of cybersecurity?
What excites me most is the convergence of technology and human ingenuity in tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Cybersecurity is no longer confined to firewalls and antivirus software—it is about creating resilient systems that empower businesses to innovate fearlessly. The rise of AI-driven threat detection, the promise of quantum-safe cryptography, and the shift to zero trust are not just technological advancements but reflections of a broader realization: that trust, once lost, is the hardest currency to regain.
One of the most inspiring trends is how cybersecurity is moving beyond protecting data to safeguarding lives. Think of autonomous vehicles or smart healthcare systems—securing these technologies is not just about compliance but about ensuring safety in a profoundly interconnected world. Cybersecurity, in its essence, is about preserving what we hold most valuable: trust, safety, and progress.
Reflections
This conversation underscores that cybersecurity is no longer a defensive mechanism; it is an enabler of trust and a driver of innovation. As organizations navigate the complexities of hybrid architectures, prepare for quantum challenges, and adopt transformative frameworks like zero trust, they must embrace cybersecurity as a strategic imperative. The future belongs to those who see security not as an obstacle but as a foundation for growth, resilience, and trust in an increasingly digital age.
