Harkanwal Singh
Information Technology
Bengaluru
Summary
Visionary Leader & Strategist, offering 25 years of unique leadership in spearheading large-scale operations, multi- disciplinary high-value project management and HR during distinguished career with Indian Army. Led a specialized team with 250+ skilled personnel with equipment worth 1000+ Cr. Learned Professional & Catalyst of Change, valued for strategic & tactical decision-making, security & crisis management under extreme pressure situations, adverse climatic conditions & terrain, peacetime or combat. Directed all aspects of units from scratch entailing contingency planning, administration, assets management, seamless transportation of men and material to successful set-up and its operations. Bringing-in a bouquet of technical expertise, management and administrative skills; and looking forward to honing them further and utilizing the same for growth of the organization. Distinction of having commanded two back-to-back tenures of team of 250+ personnel with cross-functional background in challenging environments and varied nature of operations. Awardee of Air Officer Commanding -in-Chief Commendation Medal (2024), High Altitude Medal, Operation SURAKSHA (BAR), Operation J&K (BAR) and Long & Meritorious Service Medals for distinguished service in IT, Telecom, Cyber Security and Special Operations in Indian Army.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director
Govt. of India
08.2022 - Current
- Spearheading planning, execution and management of over 110+ significant communication projects of all Air Force Stations in Southern India.
- Implemented strategies, policies, standards and benchmark assessments for existing communication infrastructure.
- Led development & research agencies in designing role and task specific equipment with strategic partnering, teaming & industrial participation.
- Trained more than 400 officers of the Indian Armed Forces on IT assets management and Cyber Security audits.
- Liaised extensively with all the three-service headquarters for indigenization projects.
- Interacted with design and technical teams on the new technologies, requirement of the customer for project requirement and provided customized solution.
Chief Executive Officer and CISO
Govt. of India
07.2019 - 08.2022
- Led more than 350 personnel of Army Air Defence Communications unit in operational areas, effective deployment of communication grid supporting Army Air Defence operations.
- Provisioned voice, data and video services, provisioned Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR), improved stakeholders’ satisfaction, conducted Cyber Audits & policy enforcement, carried out Violation Mitigation and Asset Management in the challenging & hostile regions along the border areas.
- Deployed and maintained more than 40 communication detachments across the inhospitable terrain, facilitating provisioning of communication and smooth conduct of operations across the area.
- Looked after training in communication aspects of more than 500+ Army Air Defence personnels in highly active field area.
- Deployed Artificial Intelligence based facial recognition and vehicle recognition tools, to enhance the security of the military station.
- Envisaged and implemented networking and telecommunication related projects worth Rs 200 Cr+.
Chief Executive Officer and CISO
Govt. of India
06.2016 - 07.2019
- Designed, planned and implemented Data Network and its Security Architecture for surveillance grid exercises comprising of 4000+ end points and achieving convergence of 200+ video feeds along with GIS mapping from 100 different locations at Integrated Monitoring Station established at Apex level.
- Monitored and maintained a multi-layered information security solution which included Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VLAN, SIEM and smart-card based access control system.
- Responsible for Compliance and auditing of Info Security Policy and Procedures.
- Trained more than 100 Officers and Junior Engineers on Cyber Security.
- Carried out effective facility management and ensured seamless security with array of surveillance devices for the entire garrison spread over 2 lakh sq ft.
- Conducted various IT competitions to improve cyber posture IT assets management of units within the formation.
- Ensured physical security, training and development of staff deployed in adverse terrain and climatic conditions including operational planning and HR management.
Executive Director
Govt. of India
03.2014 - 06.2016
- Ensured administration, morale and training of 100+ junior engineers leading to improvement in output and efficiency in an Electronic Warfare unit on Western Borders of India.
- Provided strategic leadership for ICT operations management, cyber security and network operations efficiency.
- Conceptualized and established a state-of-the-art Communication Convergence and Satellite Communication Lab in association with foreign technical experts.
- Provisioned EW communications to 60+ field locations in dynamically changing environment, topology and requirements.
- Implemented security related projects more than Rs 4 Cr+ lakhs leading to improvement of physical security of the station.
- Spearheaded operations to include administration of Army Public School in Punjab.
Joint Director
Govt. of India
11.2012 - 03.2014
- Led 250+ specialized and cohesive individuals in a technically oriented unit with 100 communication trucks and equipment worth 1000 Crores over 500 kms in difficult and hazardous terrain of J&K.
- Provided effective operational communication grid to formations using cellular technology over inhospitable terrain.
- Conducted cyber security audits for various military establishments to gauge compliance and suggested initiatives to enhance the security posture.
- Managed operations of Key Distribution Centre and cryptographic material.
- Configured and operated Bandwidth Managers, Routers, EPABX, CSU DSU and engineering of Radio Relay and line communication links and IT networks for organization.
- Trained more than 550 Junior Engineers on network and telecommunication engineering.
- Carried out effective personnel management & addressed all HR issues.
Associate Director – Information Security
Govt. of India
11.2010 - 11.2012
- Extensive hands on experience in laying and managing regional optical cable communication network in the desert terrain on Western Borders of India for operational communications.
- Ensured implementation of latest communication security standards and compliance policies.
- Carried out an assessment for improving ICT infrastructure and executed over 30+ transformation projects through efficient project management.
- Conducted and part of multiple bidding and price negotiation committee with vendors/OEM.
- Managed OFC based secure data network and conducted incident management.
- Trained & led a team of 100-120 technical professionals to engineer Radio and line communication links and running of Network & Security Operation Centre.
- Established and managed LAN and IT networks in the organization with 1000 clients.
- Worked extensively on Video Conferencing(VC) & Video Streaming solutions through Mobile Satellite terminal.
Senior Manager (Information System Operations and Security)
Govt. of India
01.2008 - 11.2010
- RF Engineering, ICT Operations and Maintenance of Backhaul & Access Networks, Media Secrecy, Compliance with Cyber Security Policy and Manning of Regional Network Management Centre.
- Mobilized and established rolling communication grids over 1000 km in support of mobile operations in desert terrain.
- Authored training manuals and delivered presentations to raise cyber security awareness and reduce in-house violations.
- Executing project management, HR, administration, training and procurements.
- Undertook installation of EPABX, engineering of Radio and line communication links and IT network in operations.
Team Leader in Special Forces
Govt. of India
12.2000 - 01.2008
- Led highly specialised combat team in active combat operations.
- Qualified on mandatory professional military courses such as Young Officers Course and Junior Command Course.
- Also qualified as Combat Clearance Diver and earned coveted Divers Badge.
- Operated in different types of professional combat units gaining varied experience.
- Performed various regimental duties such as operations and management of manpower & logistics.
- Selected for Engineering Course for honing technical skills.
Education
Joint Electronic Warfare Course -
Signals School
01.2014
Junior Level Defense Management Program - undefined
Army War College
01.2011
Bachelor of Technology - IT & Telecommunication
Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE)
01.2007
Paratroopers and Special Forces Selection Course - undefined
Paratroopers Training School
01.2002
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Jawaharlal Nehru University (National Defence Academy)
01.2000
Skills
Information Security (IS) Architecture
Timeline
Director
Govt. of India
08.2022 - Current
Chief Executive Officer and CISO
Govt. of India
07.2019 - 08.2022
Chief Executive Officer and CISO
Govt. of India
06.2016 - 07.2019
Executive Director
Govt. of India
03.2014 - 06.2016
Joint Director
Govt. of India
11.2012 - 03.2014
Associate Director – Information Security
Govt. of India
11.2010 - 11.2012
Senior Manager (Information System Operations and Security)
Govt. of India
01.2008 - 11.2010
Team Leader in Special Forces
Govt. of India
12.2000 - 01.2008
Junior Level Defense Management Program - undefined
Army War College
Bachelor of Technology - IT & Telecommunication
Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE)
Paratroopers and Special Forces Selection Course - undefined
Paratroopers Training School
Bachelor of Science - undefined
Jawaharlal Nehru University (National Defence Academy)
Joint Electronic Warfare Course -
Signals School