Arun Padmanabhan

• Established IT Infrastructure and Security Frameworks from Scratch: Successfully created and put in place complete IT infrastructure and information security compliance frameworks for an NBFC and LSP organization, ensuring strong protection and compliance with regulations from the start.
• Developed and Enforced Compliance Standards: Formulated and enforced IT compliance standards aligned with RBI directives and ISO 27001 for NBFCs, establishing a solid foundation for regulatory adherence and operational excellence.
• Enhanced Information Security Posture: Spearheaded the development and implementation of advanced security protocols, achieving stringent compliance with information security requirements, and safeguarding organizational assets.
• Managed Comprehensive IT and Security Operations: Oversaw the deployment and management of IT operations and security frameworks, including directing service desks, support operations, asset management, and security centers, while integrating digital workplace tools to enhance operational efficiency.
• Advanced Compliance and Certification Efforts: Directed certification and compliance audits (IRM, ITGC,ISO), fortifying security frameworks, and ensuring ongoing adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Elevated Role to CISO: Expanded responsibilities to include Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) duties, driving strategic security initiatives, and enhancing the organization's overall security posture.

• Built and Led High-Performing Teams: Mentored and guided team members, fostering professional growth and consistently driving top-tier performance. Enhanced collaboration through structured communication, goal-setting, and performance evaluations.
• Championed Continuous Improvement: Cultivated a culture of innovation and growth by promoting open communication channels and encouraging employees to share ideas.
• Formulated Strategic IT Policies: Developed and enforced IT systems and policies aligned with organizational goals, ensuring seamless integration and efficient operational support.
• Spearheaded Digital Transformation: Designed and implemented comprehensive digital transformation roadmaps with clear short- and long-term objectives, significantly enhancing organizational agility and adaptability.
• Ensured Robust Information Security: Maintained high compliance with regulatory standards by enforcing stringent security protocols and managing network protection.
• Managed IT Budgets and Financial Planning: Led IT budgeting, resource utilization, and cost-efficiency initiatives to optimize operations while aligning with business objectives.
• Directed Comprehensive IT Operations: Supervised a broad range of IT functions, including service desks, support operations, IT asset management, and security operations centers, ensuring service excellence.
• Automated Critical Processes: Implemented RPA BOTs to automate over 15 key processes across finance, HR, and IT, significantly improving efficiency and productivity.
• Implemented Cutting-Edge IT Strategies: Applied agile methodologies and advanced technologies like DevOps, SaaS, microservices, and AI to drive innovation and support business growth.
• Enhanced Cross-Team Collaboration: Introduced digital workplace tools such as Salesforce, Zoom, GWS,Microsoft 365, CRM,MDM,AWS and SAP S4/HANA, boosting collaboration and productivity across departments.
• Led Compliance and Certification Audits: Successfully managed certification and compliance audits, including IRM, ITGC, and ISO 27001 (preliminary), while reinforcing the information security framework.
• Drove Strategic IT Initiatives: Directed transformative projects in HR IT, Finance IT, and IT for IT, enhancing innovation and streamlining operational efficiency.

Leadership & Strategic Initiatives:

• Directed corporate IT and information security teams across Swiggy locations in India, aligning security frameworks with customer requirements and industry standards.
• Spearheaded enterprise-wide security measures, establishing information security processes and frameworks that aligned with diverse operational needs.

Infrastructure & Operations Management:

• Led engineering support for key security systems, including firewalls, data classification,proxy, WAFs, NACs, and DDoS mitigation tools across a complex network infrastructure.
• Orchestrated IT transformation from an operational team to a fully functional enterprise IT architecture, data center operations, network services, compute, and cloud infrastructure divisions.

Process Optimization & System Reliability:

• Deployed robust ITIL and process methodologies, introducing a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) program to enhance system monitoring and reliability.

Scalable Growth & Expansion:

• Built and developed a high-performance IT team, scaling operations from 50 to over 350 locations.
• Managed IT infrastructure for contact centers processing 100K+ daily calls and led the rapid setup of 15 satellite offices, including a 3,500-workstation corporate office, within 3 months.

Core Infrastructure & Project Management:

• Driven infrastructure core infrastructure and security projects, managing a $15million budget for 250+ Instamart stores across India.
• Led 24x7 SOC and NOC implementation, supporting 10K+ end-users with advanced IT services.

Technology Integration & Compliance:

• Integrated emerging technologies like HCI, SDWAN, CASB, ZTNA, and RPA, optimizing IT infrastructure and applications.
• Implemented security solutions (AV/X/MDR, DLP, SIEM, MDM) and achieved PCI-DSS and ITGC compliance certifications.

Standardization & Project Leadership:

• Standardized project management across enterprise IT verticals, ensuring consistent practices and strategic alignment.