We were lucky to catch up with Yash Patel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Yash, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.
Increasing use of artificial intelligence will impact human intelligence if we don’t wake up now…….
I will tell you story about this recent incident, a faulty antivirus update from cybersecurity firm led to a massive global tech outage, incapacitating specific Operating System based PCs and affecting banks, hospitals, airlines, and major businesses. This disruption underscores the double-edged nature of AI in cybersecurity: while AI-driven systems can enhance threat detection and response, they also carry massive risks if not properly managed. The incident highlights the importance of human oversight to interpret AI decisions and prevent potential missteps. As security professionals, it’s crucial to balance the efficiency of AI with human expertise to ensure robust and reliable cybersecurity measures.
<i>Reference: https://www.qa.com/resources/blog/adversarial-ai-threatens-our-financial-services-we-need-a-response/</i>
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hello Readers, I am a passionate security software engineer with over 8 years of expertise in InfoSec research and development. My journey in cybersecurity began with a strong passion for security engineering and data analysis, which has driven me to continuously seek superior opportunities in software design and development to fortify enterprise security. My career in cybersecurity started with a one-year internship at Indusface Pvt. Ltd. in Vadodara, a small town of India, where I conducted security audits and analysis on vulnerable applications. This experience laid the foundation for my deep understanding of cybersecurity methodologies and tools. I then moved to the United States for higher education and research opportunity, earning a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the New York Institute of Technology and currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Assurance & Cyber Security from Capella University.
<b>Security Engineer at FDM Group INC:</b> As an IT security consultant at a financial hedge fund firm, I developed and deployed robust security solutions for security monitoring, service authentication and authorization, conducted penetration testing, and employed machine learning techniques to detect threats in real-time datasets.
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Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft:</b> Here, I architect and lead robust, reliable monitoring and alerting solutions to support Microsoft’s Enterprise High-Risk Environment. My responsibilities include building and maintaining enterprise-level security services, incident response, customer support engineering, systems monitoring, release engineering, and ensuring data reliability and consistency.
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</b>What sets me apart from others in the field is my comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of system design and software development. I am also actively involved in contributing to the cybersecurity communities, serving as an advisory board member at Thakur College of Engineering and Technology, conducting workshops and lectures at various organizations, and contributing to various research publications. I am most proud of my contributions to the field of cybersecurity through my research and publications, security awareness magazine articles or news media articles.
Some of my notable works include:
“Network Aware Defenses for Intrusion Recognition and Response (N.A.D.I.R.)” presented at the IEEE Future Technologies Conference
“Digital Age Influence on IT Risk Management: Modern Implications & Consideration” published in the International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology
“Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Evolving Threats” published in the International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology
I want all potential contributors, followers, and fans to know that I am committed to enhancing cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure. My work is driven by a passion for innovation and a dedication to solving complex security challenges. I am always eager to collaborate with like-minded professionals and organizations to create a safer digital world.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Building a reputation in the cybersecurity market requires a combination of technical expertise, continuous learning, and active community involvement. My contributions to the field through mentoring early career talents, conducting security sessions, research publications, presentations at international conferences, and professional certifications have established my credibility and showcased my expertise. I believe in giving back to the community by sharing my knowledge and experiences, serving as an advisory board member, volunteering as judge, conducting workshops and lectures, and mentoring aspiring professionals. I am highly responsive on LinkedIn, where I actively help people achieve their goals in IT Security & Software Engineering, especially early career candidates like fresh graduates. My ability to develop innovative solutions to complex security problems, combined with my dedication to providing valuable feedback and support, has been key to building my reputation. I am proud of the work I have done and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the field.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the most valuable lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that scoring top marks in class was the only path to success in the tech industry. As an undergraduate student dreaming of working at big tech companies, I was fixated on achieving high grades and often struggled with the pressure of scoring well in my B.Tech. program. I believed that academic excellence was the sole determinant of my future career prospects.
However, during Master’s program, I realized that while academic performance is important, it is not the only factor that defines success. I learned that unique skill sets, communication, and presentation skills as well as curiosity to learn and grow, also positive are equally, if not more, important. Despite not having perfect <b>4.0 GPA</b> , I found myself competing with class toppers because I possessed the skills and qualities that set me apart. With the guidance of my professors and mates, I focused on honing my overall skill set, engaging in research publications, and developing my over personality. This holistic approach allowed me to see a clear roadmap to my goals and ultimately led to my successful entry into Microsoft.
Unlearning the notion that grades are everything and embracing the importance of a well-rounded skill set and personality development has been a transformative experience. It taught me that success is not solely measured by academic achievements but by the ability to adapt, communicate effectively, and continuously improve oneself.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.yashpatel.in
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roaming_yash/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yash–patel/
- Other: NGO: https://cyberngo.org Research & Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yash-Patel-2
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Arx5dngAAAAJ&hl=en