Byline: Wyles Daniel
In today’s digital age, healthcare and manufacturing cybersecurity, as well as key risk mitigation strategies, are critical for success. As a leader in information technology (IT) with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Sureshkumar Somanathan helps companies view cybersecurity as a strategic investment in their digital future. In doing so, Dr. Somanathan guides companies toward growth.
Drawn to the Challenge of IT
Understanding technology’s potential and the risks associated with such changes, Dr. Somanathan was drawn to the challenge of large-scale IT initiatives. Early in his career, he recognized that critical infrastructure in healthcare, manufacturing, and other sectors could no longer be ignored, leading him to carve a niche for himself in this space.
“My work at an Australian regional bank,” Dr. Somanathan said, “really solidified this for me. We weren’t just moving servers; we were building a secure and resilient cloud landscape that directly impacted the bank’s ability to serve its customers. We achieved $23.5 million in annual IT savings and delivered a more secure system.”
Experience and Achievement
Today, Dr. Somanathan applies this passion and expertise in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, banking, insurance, finance, information technology-enabled services (ITES), and other fields by leading the critical initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. He has published 17 articles, been cited 152 times, and authored a book on Transforming Project Management: Strategies for Cloud, AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. He received a prestigious award, The Iconic Felicitation of Exemplary Achievement (IFEA) for “Excellence in Strategic IT Leadership & Cloud Governance”.
The Importance of Cybersecurity Communication
For all his achievements, Dr. Somanathan remains dedicated to the clear communication of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure as a tool for digital transformation. Through his work in IT project management, Dr. Somanathan can point to several examples of how consistent, accurate, and accessible communication builds trust and promotes positive change.
“I was leading a critical cloud transformation project,” Dr. Somanathan recalled. “I remember one particular afternoon, a senior team member came to me, expressing serious concerns… I took the time to sit with him and walk him through the new transformation strategy [and] how our approach was aligned with the latest industry standards and how it would ensure the business value and protect our clients’ sensitive data.”
Dr. Somanathan shows that cloud transformation and proactive cybersecurity impact teams that relied on older infrastructure and must now adapt for the future. His unique ability to communicate why change is both positive and necessary has enabled many companies to achieve improved results while overcoming resistance to change.
US Pharmaceutical & Healthcare domain
Through the Mainframe Modernization and Zero Trust Foundation, Dr. Somanathan directly ensured 99.98% mission-critical application availability, which was crucial for maintaining seamless nationwide pharmaceutical retail and healthcare operations, thereby supporting business continuity and operational stability. The modernized platform also facilitated the more rapid implementation of advanced security measures.
Hybrid Cloud Migration & Technical Debt Reduction
This proactive approach successfully mitigated critical operational risks, including avoiding potential catastrophic failure costs estimated at approximately $5 million by upgrading unsupported network infrastructure and eliminating known vulnerabilities associated with End-of-Life (EOL) systems. The initiative also led to increased operational efficiency and enhanced scalability, which indirectly strengthened security by enabling faster patch deployments and more resilient infrastructure, contributing to overall cost savings.
Cloud Migration and Proactive Security Posture
This transformation achieved significant 38% year-over-year (YoY) IT infrastructure cost savings by optimizing resource utilization and shifting from capital expenditure to operational expenditure. The enhanced controls across all layers directly contributed to improved PCI DSS compliance and significantly mitigated data breach risks, leading to superior operational efficiency and automation capabilities. The initiative successfully delivered a more resilient and secure environment, accelerating response times to potential threats.
Dr. Somanathan’s research articles help industry professionals apply best practices to maximize benefits. Specifically his highly respected published articles like “A Study On Integrated Approaches In Cybersecurity Incident Response: A Project Management Perspective”, “Project Management Strategies for Cloud Migration: Integrating Cybersecurity and Compliance in Infrastructure Modernization,” “Governance in Cloud Transformation Projects: Managing Security, Compliance, and Risk,” “Artificial Intelligence in Cloud Security: Project Management Strategies for Threat Detection and Incident Response,” and “Data Science in Multi-Cloud Governance: Insights for Security, Scalability, and Risk Mitigation” can significantly help guide industry leaders toward successful digital transformation journeys.
Plans for the Future
Moving forward, Dr. Somanathan aims to explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, particularly regarding AI in cybersecurity and using the blockchain for data security. As a thought leader who has achieved millions in savings for numerous industries, he understands the importance of leveraging new technologies to look for greater efficiency.
“Ultimately,” Dr. Somanathan concludes, “my goal is to leave a lasting impact on the industry, ensuring that critical infrastructure is not only innovative but also ensures the business value [is] fortified against ever-evolving digital threats.”