Governing Body Spotlight

Anand Thangaraju leads the security business for the Northern California and Pacific Northwest regions at ePlus, a NASDAQ listed technology solutions provider with $3B revenue and serving Commercial, Healthcare and SLED customers. As a Field CISO, he has a unique vantage point within the cybersecurity community, partnering with a variety of product and services companies and providing vendor agnostic advisory lead services to CIO/CISOs in effectively protecting their digital assets, managing compliance and fending off the ever-evolving threats. 

In prior roles, Anand has been an accomplished technology practitioner with 20+ years across Cognizant, JPMC, EY, SVB and Zelle. His impactful presence as an industry thought leader is underscored by his contributions as a speaker and panelist at leading industry events. Anand’s engagement with key security bodies like NIST, ISACA, OWASP, Cyber Future Forum, CSFI, Infragard significantly shapes security policies and promotes better cybersecurity practices. 

Anand is a distinguished board advisor, mentor, Angel and venture partner in several venture capital firms, startups and accelerators, specializing in cybersecurity. He actively partners with early-stage Founders/CMO/CRO of Product Companies supporting efforts in GTM, category creation, storytelling, BD, Partnerships, etc. orchestrating demand gen flywheel with global integrated campaigns as a value-added reseller and channel partner. 

As a proud alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and a continuous learner with 40+ active certifications including CISSP, CIPM, AWS, he brings a blend of academic excellence and a growth mindset to the table. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is an amateur vocalist, an adventurer and a travel hacker, showcasing his diverse interests and passions.

With a keen eye for innovation and a knack for strategic thinking, Anand continues to make a significant impact in the world of technology and finance, driving growth and transformation in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Learn more about the San Francisco CISO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I have had an interesting career path as I believe in constantly challenging myself with new challenges and exploring new functional areas and business models. I started my career as a software engineer and moved into strategic advisory and business development post MBA. I later ventured into industry practitioner roles with stints across Security Operations, GRC, Product Security and Virtual CISO before deciding to move back into a business role as a Field CISO and value added Reseller and/Channel Partner industry.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

My leadership style is rooted in a growth mindset, grit and empathy.
 

What is the greatest challenge facing your role today, and how are you addressing it?

The greatest challenge as a CISO today is balancing proactive cybersecurity measures with the accelerating pace of digital transformation. Organizations demand agility, cloud adoption, and AI-driven solutions, often introducing vulnerabilities. To address this, I’m fostering a culture of security by embedding cybersecurity into every business decision. This includes implementing zero-trust architecture, automating threat detection with AI, and aligning security goals with business objectives. Continuous communication with the board ensures cybersecurity investments are strategic. By prioritizing risk-based decision-making and fostering resilience, I’m positioning security not as a blocker but as an enabler of innovation and growth.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?

The key to success for a new CISO is mastering the balance between technical expertise and business acumen. Start by understanding the organization's strategic goals, risk appetite, and regulatory landscape. Build strong relationships with stakeholders across departments to align cybersecurity initiatives with business objectives. Prioritize clear, data-driven communication with the board to secure buy-in for security investments. Focus on creating a resilient security culture by embedding security into every aspect of operations. Stay adaptable, leveraging frameworks like zero-trust and advanced threat detection tools. Above all, lead with a collaborative mindset, recognizing that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

Success as a leader is measured by the growth of my team, achieving strategic goals, and fostering a culture of collaboration and resilience. It’s about empowering others, driving impactful outcomes, and ensuring alignment between security and business objectives. True success is reflected in trust, innovation, and the ability to adapt to evolving challenges effectively.
 

What is the value of being a member of the Evanta community?

Knowledge sharing within the trusted network and staying ahead of the emerging trends and threats and maintain deep personal networks in the cyber community.
 

Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.