Ishita Thanki
In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, where new challenges emerge as quickly as technology advances, mentorship and innovation are the keys to staying ahead.
Ishita Thanki, a Senior Engineering Technical Program Manager, has made her mark as a dynamic leader who not only masters the intricacies of security infrastructure and compliance but also empowers the next generation to rise to the challenge.
Her groundbreaking work with generative AI to strengthen security practices has earned her recognition as a forward-thinker in this ever-evolving field.
An example of how highly regarded Thanki is for her respected expertise was when she was invited to CWiCS (Cisco Women in Cyber Security 2024 Conference) as a Key keynote speaker to share her thoughts on Next Generation AI Security Frameworks.
The Foundations of Leadership and Mentorship
"For me, leadership has always been about giving whatever I had—sharing my knowledge, mentoring others, and truly guiding the team," says Thanki.
"It’s not just about knowing where someone is blocked; it’s about understanding why they’re in that situation in the first place. That ‘why’ is crucial. Leadership isn’t just about guiding teams but empowering them to think critically, overcome obstacles, and adapt to challenges with confidence and clarity."
Her philosophy is rooted in a lifelong passion for technology and a drive to make meaningful contributions. Growing up fascinated by resistors, Ethernet cables, and early internet connectivity, Thanki’s journey into tech was driven by a natural curiosity and problem-solving mindset.
Today, she channels that same curiosity into mentorship, inspiring others to explore innovative approaches in cybersecurity.
One of her hallmark initiatives was leading a company-wide hackathon, where she mentored participants.
Thanki’s role was to pair young talent with seasoned professionals and judge the work of thousands of highly skilled engineers.
Thanki analyzed work of 210 students who registered, and selected 78 students to participate for final hackathon event. Out of 78 students across 33 universities globally, 10 winners across 520+ teams and 6 winners for originally coming up with their own custom AI solution.
Hackathons attract thousands of engineers, and Thanki is an expert in her field. She has been able to judge their work and be more hands-on with individual students from the university and high school interns track, which focused on AI and automation.
Applicants came from countries such as the USA, India, and Canada.
“The hackathon wasn’t just about creating solutions; it was about fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation,” she reflects.
Ishita was recently featured on the award-winning Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, hosted by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Consistently ranked as the #1 careers podcast in countries such as the US, Mexico, UK, China, Brazil, and India, the podcast is renowned for helping listeners enhance their communication skills to boost their careers.
Thanki’s involvement in the Me2We Conference highlights her significant role in promoting collaboration and driving innovation.
This esteemed event brings together thought leaders and industry experts from diverse sectors to exchange ideas, inspire action, and foster meaningful global change within organizations and communities.
Leveraging her extensive experience connecting technical and non-technical teams, Thanki offered actionable strategies and insights to inspire listeners and help them thrive professionally.
Kevin Chan is a Staff Engineer at Fanatics with a deep passion for innovation and technology. Having worked alongside Ishita during college and at events like Startup Week, he has witnessed her exceptional qualities firsthand.
"Ishita has a remarkable ability to see things others don’t. Her drive and passion are contagious, and her positivity always lifts the teams around her. I’m grateful for the chance to work with her, and I have no doubt she will bring immense value to any organization she joins."
Generative AI: Revolutionizing Security Infrastructure
Thanki’s use of generative AI has been transformative in security compliance. “AI has the potential to simplify complex processes, but only if implemented thoughtfully,” she explains.
One of Ishita’s standout achievements was automating 80% of Cisco’s security compliance processes. She streamlined workflows and boosted productivity by integrating data into a unified AI-powered dashboard.
She also earned her team two prestigious Pinnacle Awards - these accolades recognize exceptional contributions to innovation and technical excellence within Cisco, underscoring her technical expertise and setting industry benchmarks for innovation and efficiency.
“Generative AI allows us to predict compliance risks before they materialize,” says Thanki. “For instance, the system can analyze patterns in data breaches and suggest preventive measures tailored to specific regulatory frameworks.”
This predictive capability saves time and ensures organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.
Patrick Vitalone is the Director of Product Marketing for Operational Technology (OT/ICS) at Fortinet, with extensive experience in product strategy and market development. Having collaborated with Ishita on the Networking team at Cisco, he offers high praise for her contributions.
"I had the pleasure of working with Ishita on the Networking team at Cisco, where she was an outstanding engineer and a highly collaborative colleague. Our work on SD-WAN made a meaningful impact, and her contributions were crucial to the project’s success. I highly recommend Ishita for her technical expertise and exceptional teamwork."
Bridging the Gap Between Mentorship and Innovation
One of Thanki’s core strengths lies in her connecting mentorship with innovation. “When you’re mentoring someone, it’s not just about transferring knowledge; it’s about instilling a mindset of curiosity and resilience,” she says. Her mentoring sessions often include real-world scenarios where participants are encouraged to apply AI-driven solutions to tackle compliance challenges.
During a recent project, Thanki collaborated with a group of interns to develop an AI model capable of assessing the compliance readiness of enterprise systems. This initiative offered the interns valuable hands-on experience and led to the creation of a tool that significantly streamlined assessment processes for her organization, reducing time and effort.
"Watching the interns take full ownership of the project, overcome challenges, and ultimately deliver a tangible, impactful outcome was incredibly rewarding.” she shares, “it’s moments like these that remind me why mentorship is so important; it’s about fostering growth, building confidence, and empowering others to achieve what they didn’t think was possible.".
Julie Wong is a seasoned professional with expertise in team management and organizational development. Having worked closely with Ishita, she offers a strong endorsement of her skills and leadership.
"Ishita is a joy to work with—she radiates positivity and energy and consistently gives 110% in everything she does. Her creativity, organizational skills, and strong communication abilities set her apart, while her open-minded approach and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds make her a natural leader. She brings out the best in every team she’s a part of."
Tackling the Nuances of Compliance
Compliance in cybersecurity is a multifaceted challenge, involving adherence to frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, SSDF framework and GDPR. Thanki’s approach is to simplify these complexities without losing sight of critical details. “The key is to break down regulations into actionable steps while ensuring that teams understand the underlying principles,” she explains.
One of her recent successes involved a banking client struggling to align with federal compliance standards. Thanki’s generative AI-powered solution identified gaps in their security controls and suggested specific remediation measures. The client achieved full compliance within three months, avoiding potential penalties and enhancing their reputation. “It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about building trust through robust security practices,” she emphasizes.
The Human Element in Security
Despite her reliance on cutting-edge technology, Thanki firmly believes in the importance of the human element: “AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment,” she asserts. Her leadership style reflects this belief, prioritizing collaboration and open communication.
“Mentorship is as much about listening as it is about guiding,” she says. By understanding each team member's unique strengths and challenges, Thanki creates an environment where innovation thrives.
Shaping Tomorrow's Innovations
Thanki believes generative AI has the potential to transform the future of cybersecurity. “As threats get more advanced, our defenses must keep up,” she explains. Her vision goes beyond detecting vulnerabilities; she focuses on solutions that empower people to act.
“Picture a dashboard that doesn’t just flag risks but also guides users with personalized training to address them. That’s the future I see for the industry,” she says, emphasizing the importance of combining innovation with education to tackle evolving challenges.
Thanki’s unwavering commitment to mentorship drives her vision for the future of cybersecurity. She plans to deepen her impact by collaborating with academic institutions and industry organizations to design training programs that equip the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.
“The future of security isn’t solely about advancing technology. It’s about empowering people to use it thoughtfully and effectively,” she emphasizes, underscoring her belief in education as the cornerstone of a safer, more innovative world.
"In this world of AI and security, my message to everyone is: don’t blindly trust any solution or technological app, even if it seems to offer free benefits,” Thanki shares.
“Always verify. Everything is transparent, and privacy is a fragile thing. Be careful about the data you share and the level of access you give to those around you."
Thanki’s leadership in security infrastructure and compliance and her innovative approach have set a new standard in the industry. Her commitment to mentoring the next generation ensures her influence reaches beyond her current work.
As technology evolves, Thanki’s unique ability to balance technical expertise with a people-focused leadership style will continue to inspire future leaders and play a key role in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
