Ankit Sharma
Greater Noida
Summary
Cyber Security Specialist with 7+ years of experience in implementing security awareness initiatives and policy governance. Proven success in leading programs that include phishing simulations and training for thousands of employees. Expertise in platforms such as KnowBe4 and Proofpoint to enhance security compliance. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills facilitate effective collaboration across departments to foster a security-focused culture.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Technical Specialist (Awareness and Training Lead)
HCLTech
Noida
11.2023 - Current
- Led security awareness initiatives for four clients from the U.S. and the U.K., impacting approximately 50,000 employees. This involved heading a team of three resources.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to tight timelines.
- Managed Proofpoint and KnowBe4 platforms for training enrollment, compliance reporting, and phishing simulations.
- Collaborated with clients and technical teams to resolve platform issues efficiently.
- Developed procedural documentation and runbooks to ensure clarity in training activities.
- I was involved in onboarding transition processes for a couple of clients, Taylor Wimpey and Clearwater Paper, and later took over as the Awareness and Training Lead for the same.
- Oversaw quarterly training assignments to maintain high employee engagement levels.
- Conducted regular assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs.
- Delivered training sessions to staff on security best practices.
- Prepared reports summarizing key metrics associated with the success of each training program.
- Addressed ServiceNow queries related to platform and awareness programs, including the creation of user accounts, configuring access rights, modifying account details, etc.
- Coordinated with client contacts to adjust technical support and program implementations.
Security Specialist
Cognizant Technology Solutions Ltd
Bengaluru
01.2021 - 11.2023
- Oversaw policy governance of over 150 new and existing documents, and conducted comprehensive security awareness programs across the organization, which had approximately 300,000 employees.
- Developed training collateral and communications, and facilitated online attestation for associates.
- Conducted gap analyses to identify deficiencies in awareness materials, and collaborated with leadership to enhance security training initiatives.
- Played a key role in developing an e-learning course on data security for a global audience.
- Responsible for the development of security awareness collateral, such as wallpapers, posters, and infographics, as well as various decks on phishing and other security activities. This also included liaising with graphic designers and a content writer to attain the desired output.
- Instrumental in the development of new web pages for various branches of Corporate Security using the CMS web development tool named Unily.
- Managed the workload and tracked the availability of graphic designers and content writers, including year-end feedback and reports.
Security Analyst
Cognizant Technology Solutions Ltd
Bengaluru
03.2018 - 01.2021
- Executed phishing simulation campaigns at various organizational levels, utilizing platforms such as PhishMe and MS Defender.
- Managed the corporate security website and conducted online awareness sessions for associates.
- Headed and conducted awareness acknowledgment for defaulters using SET (Security Endorsement Tool).
- Developed the training plans for numerous accounts on need basis, which were inclusive of SET, phishing, posters, infographics, online training, etc., and brought them to completion.
- Developed and maintained communication channels to influence positive security behavior, and conducted regular security awareness polls for over 300,000 employees.
- Prepared monthly, account-wise Acceptable Use Policy compliance reports.
Education
Master of Science - Cyber Security
University of York
York, UK01.2017
BCA - Computer Application
Sikkim Manipal University
07.2015
Intermediate - Science stream with Mathematics
KV AGCR Colony
Delhi03.2008
High School -
DLF Public School
Sahibabad03.2006
Skills
- Security awareness training
- Phishing simulations
- Platform management
- User training plan development
- Training documentation development
- E-learning development
- Social media content creation and posting
- Employee engagement strategies
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Operations support
- Data interpretation
- Data analysis
- Compliance tracking and reporting
- Platform troubleshooting
- Client collaboration
- Project management
Certification
- 2025 Proofpoint Certified Security Awareness Specialist (expires 2027)
- ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Information Security Controls Implementation Training Course from BSI Training Academy
- Android app developer from Manipal ProLearn
Languages
English, Hindi
Websites
Hobbies and Interests
Photography, Gaming, Driving enthusiast, Gardening, Travelling
Timeline
Technical Specialist (Awareness and Training Lead)
HCLTech
11.2023 - Current
Security Specialist
Cognizant Technology Solutions Ltd
01.2021 - 11.2023
Security Analyst
Cognizant Technology Solutions Ltd
03.2018 - 01.2021
Master of Science - Cyber Security
University of York
BCA - Computer Application
Sikkim Manipal University
Intermediate - Science stream with Mathematics
KV AGCR Colony
High School -
DLF Public School
Similar Profiles
Sashanka BoraSashanka Bora
Technical Lead at HCLTechTechnical Lead at HCLTech
Vinit BarhateVinit Barhate
Senior Software Engineer at HCLTechSenior Software Engineer at HCLTech
DINSHITH DDINSHITH D
Senior FPGA Engineer at HCLTechSenior FPGA Engineer at HCLTech
Aditya MishraAditya Mishra
ANALYST at HCLTECHANALYST at HCLTECH
Neeraj KumarNeeraj Kumar
Business Head at Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt. Ltd (Big Basket)Business Head at Supermarket Grocery Supplies Pvt. Ltd (Big Basket)