The cybersecurity industry is at the core of protecting the digital field, responding to an ever-growing reliance on interconnected systems and data-driven technologies. It has become essential for protecting sensitive information and enabling trust in digital transactions across industries. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the industry is shifting towards proactive approaches, integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Zero Trust architectures to predict, prevent, and mitigate risks. Additionally, the emergence of hybrid cloud infrastructures and the expanding Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem have redefined the scope of cybersecurity, demanding innovative and adaptable strategies to secure the expanding digital frontiers.
Ashish Vohra, Executive Director, Head of Information and Cyber Security at SC Ventures characterizes the transformative leadership shaping the future of this domain. A pragmatic and forward-thinking professional, Ashish balances technical expertise with strategic vision. His leading approach cultivates collaboration, empowering teams to align security initiatives with broader business objectives. Known for his meticulous approach, he ensures that security frameworks are proactive, effectively addressing emerging threats while supporting innovation, and also include the reactive aspect to be able to respond to and mitigate security incidents as they occur. Ashish’s ability to articulate intricate security concepts in a business-centric language demonstrates his commitment to driving impactful and meaningful change within the industry.
SC Ventures, the innovation and fintech investment arm of Standard Chartered Bank, catalyzes revolutionary ideas in financial technology. Its mission is to nurture innovation by investing in disruptive technologies and exploring alternative business models. With security deeply embedded into its processes, SC Ventures offers a platform that integrates resilience and scalability seamlessly. By employing a risk-aligned security framework and using advanced methodologies like threat modelling, the organization ensures its ventures are equipped to thrive while maintaining the trust and safety of stakeholders. This commitment positions SC Ventures as a leader in redefining secure innovation in fintech.
Let’s explore Ashish’s transformative leadership for driving cybersecurity innovation:
Learning and Growing with Cybersecurity Advancements
Ashish’s cybersecurity journey began in 2002 when the field was still nascent. He was fortunate to learn from pioneers, building a solid foundation in risk management, network security, and secure coding. The dial-up and floppy disk era seems quaint now, but it provided a valuable baseline. He was in the right place at the right time. The cybersecurity field has shifted dramatically since then.
The rise of compliance standards like PCI-DSS and HIPAA in the early 2000s was a crucial learning curve. Then came the cloud revolution, offering a chance to design and implement secure cloud architectures from the ground up and gain hands-on experience with platforms like AWS.
Events like the Snowden leaks, major breaches at Sony and Target, and the devastating WannaCry and NotPetya ransomware attacks also marked this era. These incidents underscored the growing importance of robust security and led to stricter regulations like GDPR, shifting the information security landscape further.
More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated remote work, highlighting the need for adaptable security solutions. The emergence of IoT, Zero Trust architectures, and the increasing use of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity presented new challenges and opportunities. Each milestone has catalyzed growth, driving Ashish to learn through hands-on projects, professional certifications, continuous education, and active participation in the security community.
These events have shaped Ashish into the security professional he is today. His career has been a continuous learning process involving hands-on experience, certifications, formal education, and networking. He has witnessed firsthand the evolution of cybersecurity from its nascent stages to the intricate field it is today.
Innovating Securely in Fintech
SC Ventures provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technologies, and explore alternative business models. In today’s fast-paced innovation field, security is no longer just about protection—it’s about enabling growth.
As the Head of Information and Cyber Security at SC Ventures, Ashish ensures that ventures are built on a foundation of resilience, empowering them to innovate securely and scale confidently. In his work with startups and high-growth ventures that require agility and speed to succeed, his core focus is to design and implement a pragmatic, risk-aligned security framework that allows these ventures to thrive without being weighed down by unnecessary security compliance requirements.
By defining clear policies, metrics, and a pragmatic information security risk appetite, he ensures that ventures can strike the right balance between innovation and protection. SC Ventures uses a hybrid qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methodology, incorporating threat modelling and business impact analysis.
A core part of his role is risk oversight. From incubation to commercialization, he collaborates closely with venture teams to guide them through their journey, ensuring they go live securely and operate safely. Security is tightly integrated into their processes, enabling them to meet stakeholder expectations while building trust.
Crucially, he is constantly seeking efficiencies. His goal isn’t just security; it’s efficient security. He optimizes processes and costs, ensuring SC Ventures can launch securely and thrive without unnecessary overhead.
Celebrating Success and Encouraging Growth
Effective leadership demands more than a one-size-fits-all approach in today’s business environment. Ashish’s leadership philosophy blends situational and transformational leadership to address the intricacies of modern organizations.
He adjusts his style to match the team’s maturity and the task’s demands, employing directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating as needed. By setting a clear vision, he motivates his team, encouraging them to exceed their expectations through intellectual stimulation and personal consideration.
Creating an environment where team members feel valued promotes ownership. Ashish ensures that mistakes are not penalized but viewed as learning opportunities, promoting a fearless culture of innovation. Victories, big or small, are celebrated to boost morale, and open lines of communication are maintained, ensuring everyone feels heard and integral to collective success.
Lastly, he advocates for continuous personal development, staying abreast of leadership trends, and developing a two-way feedback culture. This approach leads to the growth of the organization and each team member’s personal growth.
Translating Security into Business Impact
Security is often considered a constraint but can be a powerful catalyst for business success.
Early in his career, Ashish learned that security leaders must “speak the language of business,” translating technical concerns into business impact and opportunities. Integrating security into a company’s DNA, not just as an afterthought, is key to thriving in today’s digital age. This means aligning security strategies with business goals, creating a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility, and building strong stakeholder relationships.
The goal isn’t just protection—it’s weaving security into the company’s fabric to create resilient, innovative organizations. When properly aligned, security becomes more than a defensive measure; it emerges as a strategic asset, driving business success.
Proactive Strategies for Work-Life Balance
Ashish believes maintaining a work-life balance in today’s threat environment is no easy task, and demands proactive strategies. The constant need to stay updated on new technologies, breaches, and adversarial tactics can feel overwhelming. However, setting clear boundaries and prioritizing self-care has been crucial in helping Ashish remain grounded and practical.
He makes it a point to reserve time for personal activities that promote physical and mental well-being. Taking regular breaks and pursuing hobbies outside of work allows him to recharge. One of his most valuable lessons is the power of saying “no.” By being mindful of his workload and priorities, he avoids overcommitment and stays focused on high-impact tasks.
Automation and delegation are essential tools he uses to streamline repetitive tasks, freeing time for strategic initiatives. Every Friday evening, he dedicates an hour to reviewing the week and planning. This simple habit keeps him organized and ensures he can fully disconnect and enjoy quality time with family over the weekend.
Staying Updated on Threat Intelligence
Staying ahead in information security requires a multi-faceted approach. Ashish prioritizes continuous learning, active community engagement, and hands-on practice. He regularly pursues certifications and follows industry reports from Mandiant, CrowdStrike, and SANS. Subscribing to threat intelligence feeds (AlienVault OTX, Cisco Talos) keeps him updated on vulnerabilities. He engages in forums like Reddit and attends security conferences. Collaboration with peers, researchers, and authorities facilitates information sharing and joint threat mitigation.
In addition, he is a firm believer in the practical application of knowledge. He maintains virtual labs for testing tools and emerging technologies to facilitate that.
By combining education, collaboration, and real-world practice, he stays prepared to address evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Effective Communication for Security Professionals
Aspiring information security professionals must become business-savvy to align security with business objectives, i.e., develop strong business acumen. They should deeply understand the organization’s operations, industry, and financial drivers. Security initiatives should be framed as risk management, quantifying potential impacts in business terms (e.g., revenue loss, reputation damage).
Effective communication is crucial in translating technical jargon into clear, business-relevant language. Building relationships across departments is essential, becoming a collaborative partner rather than a roadblock. Key focuses are prioritizing security enablement, streamlining processes, and using automation to support business growth. Reducing the business impact is paramount.
Continuous learning, staying updated on industry trends and regulations, and obtaining relevant certifications (CISSP, CISM, etc.) are essential for long-term success. Instead of saying, “We need MFA,” say, “MFA reduces account compromise risk by 90%, protecting customer data and preventing financial loss.” Instead of saying, “This vulnerability has a high CVSS score,” say, “This vulnerability could cost X in lost revenue per hour.” This approach helps articulate the impact of security on the business without confusing the business audience.
Combining technical expertise with business understanding and strong communication skills, security professionals can ensure their initiatives directly contribute to the organization’s overall success, moving from reactive to proactive security strategies.
Vision for a Secure and Innovative Environment
Ashish’s vision for SC Ventures’ information security centres on creating a secure, innovative, and resilient environment. Key aspects include enhancing the existing security framework for robustness and agility to support rapid growth and scalability as the portfolio grows; embedding security by design into all ventures, products, and services; utilizing threat modelling to identify and mitigate security threats throughout the development lifecycle proactively; and evolving into a strategic partner and trusted advisor.
This transformation will enable SC Ventures to integrate security from the ground up, enabling the fulfilment of business goals while protecting assets and stakeholders. It will also empower the ventures to create value without compromising on security, ultimately building a security-conscious and innovative culture.
