This cybersecurity expert is known for her technological innovations and strategic initiatives.
Hashnee Subbusundaram believes that cybersecurity – already a key industry within the tech sector – is going to become even more integral as we head into an increasingly digitized future.
“There is a growing need for cybersecurity expertise in combating digital threats and safeguarding information assets,” Hashnee says. “And that’s because the problem is getting worse.”
The numbers back her up. In 2023, the cybersecurity landscape saw 2,365 cyberattacks, impacting 343,338,964 individuals. This marked a significant 72% increase in data breaches since 2021, previously the year with the highest record.
These breaches have a substantial financial impact on affected organizations and individuals – on average, they incurred costs of $4.45 million. Email was the predominant malware delivery channel, responsible for approximately 35% of such incidents, with 94% of organizations experiencing email security breaches.
Business email compromises were particularly costly, resulting in $2.7 billion in losses in 2022 alone. Amidst these challenges, the demand for information security professionals is expected to increase by 32% from 2022 to 2032.
Hashnee is one of the leading experts when it comes to cybersecurity, known for the development and implementation of groundbreaking technologies, the orchestration of complex projects, and a keen anticipation of future trends. Her career is marked by milestones that demonstrate her role as a transformative leader and innovator in cybersecurity, program management, and beyond.
And it’s backed up by solid credentials. Her robust academic background includes a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Anna University, complemented by an MBA in Marketing from Bharathiar University, and a Master of Science in Information System and Audit Control from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Throughout her academic journey, she engaged actively with ISACA and stood out as a respected member of Beta Alpha Psi.
Since then, Hashnee has made a name for herself at some of the world’s most notable tech giants. At Cisco – a multinational tech conglomerate specializing in networking hardware, software, and telecommunications equipment – she played a key role in developing a cybersecure build environment. Here, Hashnee fundamentally enhances the authorization and posture validation across all image signing infrastructure. The initiative led to significant cost savings and bolstered the company’s defenses against a myriad of cyber threats. Her approach – meticulously analyzing potential vulnerabilities and crafting strategic defenses – epitomizes the depth of her commitment to securing digital assets.
Hashnee’s expertise extends into the creation of secure build environments, which is a critical aspect of software development and deployment. Her work in this area has been instrumental in protecting the integrity of the software development lifecycle. Hashnee makes sure that from inception to delivery, every phase is secured against intrusion and manipulation. She implements stringent security measures and protocols and has been able to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, to safeguard both corporate and customer data.
Hashnee also made notable contributions at LendingClub, a fintech company that operates an online lending platform connecting borrowers with investors for personal loans, auto refinancing, and business loans. There, Hashnee integrated tech platforms with financial services, integrating over 800 Aspen Dental clinics with LendingClub. This was key because the well-known dental care chain needed to streamline its financing process to offer patients easier access to dental care through more efficient and accessible loan options.
This, of course, improved customer experience and satisfaction; it also demonstrated Hashnee’s ability to navigate and merge complex systems. The project showed her proficiency in managing large-scale integrations as well as her forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology to facilitate smoother, more efficient business operations.
Hashnee’s career is also exemplary due to her finely honed skills in aligning technological projects with broader organizational goals. Through her development of the Material Management Information System (MMIS) for San Mateo County, she revolutionized inventory management, purchasing, and supply chain workflows. This initiative improved operational efficiency and aligned closely with the county’s goals for transparency and accountability. Hashnee understood and executed on the strategic objectives of an organization. She transformed vision into reality, which is what truly sets her apart as a leader.
Then, at Qualcomm Robotics, which focuses on advanced robotics and emerging tech, Hashnee displayed her talent for driving product quality improvements and advancing the industry. She developed Board Support Packages (BSPs) and chipsets for autonomous drones and smart robots. Her leadership on this project was collaborative and creative, and she was able to boost notable improvement in the sector. Hasnee’s focus on quality, security, and efficiency has propelled advancements in robotics, and it showed her capacity to lead in highly technical and innovative domains.
A critical aspect of Hashnee’s success has been her ability to anticipate and respond to industry trends. She’s been a strong leader in the development of Visa’s Advanced Security Platform, the Shift Left Portal (SLP), which exemplifies her proactive approach to cybersecurity. The SLP assesses, classifies, and reports high-risk events and has become a cornerstone in the fight against payment fraud and cyberattacks.
When it comes to leadership, Hasnee’s skills encompass the ability to inspire teams toward excellence. She embraces an empathetic leadership style, coupled with a commitment to innovation and strategic problem-solving, and this has nurtured creativity and collaboration. Through mentorship and advocacy, she has empowered countless professionals to pursue careers in STEM, particularly women in technology.
It’s clear that Hashnee Subbusundaram’s career is rich with professional achievements. But more than that, her work is a blueprint for future leaders in tech. Her strategic vision blends with a methodical approach to problem-solving and innovation. And her journey offers valuable lessons on how to handle the many challenges of the tech industry. Hashnee manages projects and teams alike with empathy; she anticipates future trends; and thus her many contributions to the field have opened doors for tomorrow’s tech leaders.
Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hashnee/
