Pankaj Mittal, Founder and CEO of Digizen Consulting, Reveals the Secrets to Protecting Enterprise Assets in the Age of Emerging Technologies

Pankaj Mittal, the Founder and CEO of Digizen Consulting, recently sat down for an interview with Urmi Saha to discuss his journey and the vision he has for his company. With a career that started as a network engineer, Mittal gained valuable experience in hardware and network implementation through various roles in education institutions and companies outside of India. This exposure allowed him to understand the world of enterprise IT on a global scale.

Upon returning to India, Mittal took on the role of Chief Technology Officer at SLK Global, where he focused on implementing software applications, enhancing operational excellence, and strengthening security measures for a large-scale back office operation for a major US bank. In his subsequent roles with companies like Vodafone, Tata Communication, and Barclays Bank, he gained further exposure to the banking industry on a global scale.

It was prior to the first wave of COVID-19 that Mittal founded Digizen Consulting with a mission to empower citizens to become digital citizens. The company’s main focus is on security consulting, acting as a virtual Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for organizations. Digizen Consulting provides advisory services, remaining vendor-neutral, to help organizations navigate the rapidly changing IT landscape and protect their enterprise assets, particularly data, in the age of emerging technologies like blockchain, crypto, and generative AI.

Despite not selling any products, software, or solutions, Digizen Consulting has achieved success by offering impartial advice based on Mittal’s real-world experiences. The company has worked with various organizations, including a large agriculture bank, asset management firms, and SEBI registered companies, providing security compliance advisory services. Mittal expressed his gratitude to his first customer, a Chief Digital Officer, who approached him after reading his LinkedIn posts and entrusted them with an RFP writing and implementation project. Over the past three years, Digizen Consulting has experienced significant growth and continues to serve an expanding customer base.

During the interview, Mittal also discussed the challenges faced by IT service providers in today’s era of technological advancement. He emphasized that Digizen Consulting remains vendor and product neutral when working with clients, providing unbiased advice on the merits and drawbacks of products, software, and solutions. As a cybersecurity company, their role is to ensure that they advise correctly, without any bias towards specific products or solutions. They present the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, and highlight potential risks for clients to make informed decisions. Mittal acknowledged that while technology advancements are ongoing, the ultimate consideration for organizations is the commercial aspect. CIOs and CXOs operate within budget constraints and sometimes have to compromise on features or quality to meet financial requirements. Digizen Consulting aims to bring these risks to the forefront and help clients understand the trade-offs they may need to make. Mittal emphasized that the role of a CISO is challenging, as they not only have to protect against external threats but also be vigilant about internal attacks and unforeseen risks like the current COVID-19 pandemic.

In terms of staying at the forefront of technological advancements, Mittal highlighted the importance of continuous learning and knowledge expansion. He mentioned that attending conferences, webinars, and seminars, as well as networking and understanding different IT environments, allows his team to stay updated on cutting-edge products and technologies. Mittal also emphasized the value of case studies and references to gain insights into solving problems and avoiding repeats. Additionally, he recommended allocating a small R&D budget to test new products and platforms, even if they may not ultimately solve a specific problem. Learnings from such experiments can inform future IT budgets and strategies.

When discussing IT security, Mittal stressed that it is a concern for all organizations today. He stated that while security is the responsibility of everyone within an organization, around 60-70% of security threats can be mitigated through user awareness and regular training. Educating employees and stakeholders about new threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices can significantly reduce risks. Additionally, Digizen Consulting conducts comprehensive assessments of an organization’s IT infrastructure and data security. They evaluate the current security posture, identify gaps, and recommend improvements, including the deployment of necessary products or tools. Mittal mentioned that the security landscape is ever-evolving, requiring continuous adjustments and enhancements.

Mittal discussed recent trends and innovations in the IT industry that are shaping the services and solutions offered by Digizen Consulting. He highlighted the rise of generative AI and the challenges it presents in protecting internal data from being exposed in AI models. Basic security practices and patching vulnerabilities are crucial in mitigating risks. Mittal also emphasized the importance of adapting to changing threat factors, especially in the age of remote work and the dissolution of physical office boundaries. Solid processes, procedures, and selecting the right tools and solutions available in the market are essential in mitigating risks.

In terms of data breaches caused by employees, Mittal suggested building awareness through training sessions and utilizing tools like fishing simulation or breach attack simulation. Hiring white collar hackers to test the network’s security and implementing bug bounty programs can also help identify vulnerabilities and strengthen the network.

Regarding the use of AI technologies, Mittal explained that while Digizen Consulting does not develop software solutions, many products in the market now incorporate AI engines. These engines monitor network behavior patterns, browsing data, and real-time updates to detect and warn users about potential threats. AI improves reaction time and allows organizations to create customized playbooks for incident response.

Looking ahead, Mittal believes that security will remain a critical pillar in the IT landscape for organizations. He predicts that generative AI will continue to evolve, particularly in voice technologies. Voice commands may become the primary means of interaction, potentially replacing browsers and traditional search engines. Hyper digital automation, personalized e-commerce, and upskilling employees and partners will also be important trends in the future, with a focus on managing security challenges and supply lines.