Akshata Ghadge
Director - Cybersecurity
Mumbai
Summary
Highly experienced Cybersecurity Europe Delivery Head with 19+ years of success leading and managing complex cybersecurity portfolios for enterprise clients across Europe. Proven track record in driving operational excellence, implementing security frameworks, and aligning cybersecurity solutions with organizational goals. Skilled in strategic leadership, stakeholder management, and delivering scalable cybersecurity services that ensure compliance, reduce risk, and improve overall security posture. Rich & diverse experience in governance, risk, compliance and security frameworks. Proven ability to design and implement robust security policies, conduct risk assessments and lead enterprise-wide security initiatives. Adept at balancing risk management with business objectives to ensure resilience & regulatory alignment. Trusted advisor to C-suit executives, with expertise in ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, GDPR, PCI-DSS and cloud security governance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
7
7
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Director: Cybersecurity Delivery Head - Europe
LTIMindtree
03.2019 - Current
- Leading the overall Cyber Security Delivery portfolios for Europe based customers
- Portfolio Leadership: Oversee Cybersecurity operations and strategic delivery for high-profile enterprise clients across Europe, ensuring all security initiatives align with client objectives, SLAs, and compliance requirements.
- Service Delivery Management: Managed the end-to-end delivery of cybersecurity services, including risk assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response, achieving 99% client satisfaction and a 99% reduction in security breaches.
- Strategic Cybersecurity Roadmaps: Developed and implemented security strategies to drive digital transformation initiatives while maintaining compliance with European regulatory frameworks, such as GDPR Directive.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Led cross-functional teams consisting of security architects, engineers, and consultants to deliver tailored cybersecurity solutions, improving threat intelligence capabilities and risk mitigation strategies.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Built and maintained strong relationships with senior executives and stakeholders, offering insights on emerging cybersecurity trends and business impact, influencing key business decisions.
- Team Leadership & Development: Managed and mentored a team of 85 cybersecurity professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, while improving team retention by 95%.
- Budget & Resource Management: Managed annual cybersecurity budgets of €7Mn, optimizing resource allocation to support the timely and efficient delivery of cybersecurity initiatives across multiple countries in Europe.
- Security operations supported: 24*7 SOC team, EDR, Email Protection, IAM, PKI, Azure Key Vault, Network Security, Vulnerability Management and GRC
- Traveled to customer locations (US and Germany): Successfully managed transitions and transformations programs that attained customer expectations. Effectively managed customer escalations.
- 2019-2021: Lead a Switzerland based Security governance project delivery for multiple UN agencies. Developed, implemented and monitored strategic, comprehensive enterprise information security and IT risk management programs. Developed the information security awareness program via multiple security awareness platforms like Media Pro, Go Phish, KnowBe4, Terranova. Lead the Governance Risk and Compliance Practice. Developed Security CoE Service offering for Cyber Risk Management, Third-Party Risk Management, and ServiceNow GRC. Demonstrated Cyber Risk Management Service offering to potential clients.
Project Manager - Cyber Security
TechMahindra
05.2017 - 02.2019
- Established and lead Governance Risk and Compliance consulting in Enterprise Security Risk Management. Responsible for managing GRC Projects. Managed the project for implementation of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard for the safety of cardholder data for a UK based Telecom. Review policies, procedures, and other documentation for assessing security risks. Review of standard security frameworks working in coordination with deployment, operations and other internal groups. Managed project of Data loss prevention implementation for an Australian Retail Group company. Received accolades from Australian customer for the quality and smooth delivery of DLP project. Project management for Cyber Data Security implementation – Plan, Design, Implement, Manage. Consulting and Advisory support for security standards like PCI-DSS, ISO27001 & NIST. Responsible for driving major deals in GRC Consulting area and responding to RFP’s. Specialize in developing IT Strategy, Information Risk Assessment and mitigation strategies, information security policies and procedures and standards such as ISO 27001, PCI-DSS & NIST. Managing initial GDPR assessment for a European healthcare company. Constantly learn, evolve and mentor team to aim higher.
Sr. Security Lead - Cyber Security
Capgemini
12.2011 - 05.2017
- Worked as a key member for Governance, Risk, and Compliance team. Supported the development of security governance, risk and compliance analysis and reporting. Collaborate with tower team members and client Security team to assess risk and make decisions on appropriate risk strategies; perform risk assessments that consider reasonably foreseeable threats, asset value and exposure, mitigating controls and provide risk mitigation recommendations. Perform critical security assessment activities including the identification of compliance gaps, development of remediation plans, documentation, and monitoring compliance status.
Technical Security Consultant
TechMahindra
01.2010 - 12.2011
- Responsible for implementation and administration of the Security Solution in scope, providing Managed Security Services to clients. Member of the SI team, implementing Security controls for GreenField projects and part of Managed Security Services for one of the largest UAE based Telecom client. Technology Expertise – Anti-Malware, End- Point & Mail Security(McAfee ePO), Vulnerability Assessment Acunetix WVS (6.5),Nessus (4.2.0), GFI LanGuard, Conducted Proof of Concept(POC) of McAfee Vulnerability Manager, Proxy &content / URL filtering BlueCoat, NIPS/HIPS IBM ISS Proventia, CISCO IDSM.
Senior Security Administrator
Tata Consultancy Services - Sellcraft Payroll
01.2008 - 12.2009
- Responsible for Security Administration in Information Security function of US based chemical company (24
- 5 support to the Client) Technology Expertise – Microsoft Active Directory & Group policies, Configuring group policies on windows server, Account management for Active Directory. Define Active Directory groups, shares, and webs. Create workstation accounts in Active Directory. Execute additional security administration requests as appropriate. Information Security Documentation. Support Internal Audit.
System Administrator
WNS
02.2007 - 05.2008
- Analyzing system logs and identifying potential issues with computer systems. Performing routine audits of systems and software. Performing backups. Applying operating system updates, patches and configuration changes. Installing and configuring new hardware and software. Adding, removing, or updating user account information, resetting passwords, etc. Answering technical queries. Responsibility for documenting the configuration of the system. Troubleshooting any reported problems. System performance tuning. Ensuring that the network infrastructure is up and running. Managing Anti-Virus (McAfee ePO)
System Engineer
Network Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
02.2006 - 02.2007
- Supported U.K based Financial Group client which was based on SQL database and processed data through Citrix Application. Installing and configuring new hardware and software. Systems Setup and handling LAN issues. Managing Anti-Virus. Worked at Clientsites: Capita Offshore Ltd., Quintiles ECG Services, DuPont Pvt. Ltd.,Mastek, Motorola.
Education
MBA - Information Systems Management
Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education
BSC.IT - Information Technology
University of Mumbai, Institute of Distance Education
Diploma - Electronics and Tele- Communication
Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education
Skills
Cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO, CIS)
Vulnerability Management
Security awareness training
Incident response management
Security policy development
Strategic planning
Program management
Analytical thinking
Relationship building
Business planning
Risk management
Stakeholder engagement
Team management
Certification
ISO 27001:2013 LA
Accomplishments
- Three Star Recognition - TCS
- Rising Star - TechMahindra
- Project Star - Capgemini
- Fire Fighter - Capgemini
- Certificate of excellence - UNICC
- Innovator of the Quarter - LTIMindtree
- 10% Club Finalist in Jombay 1000 Women Leaders Program
- Luminary Leader Award - LTIMindtree
- Microsoft Security Excellence Awards 2025 finalist - Diversity in Security
Timeline
Director: Cybersecurity Delivery Head - Europe
LTIMindtree
03.2019 - Current
Project Manager - Cyber Security
TechMahindra
05.2017 - 02.2019
Sr. Security Lead - Cyber Security
Capgemini
12.2011 - 05.2017
Technical Security Consultant
TechMahindra
01.2010 - 12.2011
Senior Security Administrator
Tata Consultancy Services - Sellcraft Payroll
01.2008 - 12.2009
System Administrator
WNS
02.2007 - 05.2008
System Engineer
Network Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
02.2006 - 02.2007
BSC.IT - Information Technology
University of Mumbai, Institute of Distance Education
Diploma - Electronics and Tele- Communication
Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education
MBA - Information Systems Management
Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education