Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar, known as DJ Naldurgkar, is a Bangkok-based cybersecurity leader, author, and trusted advisor with over two decades of experience delivering security transformations across industries. He combines deep technical expertise with a strong grasp of business risk, enabling executives and boards to make confident, security-driven decisions.
Author of AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced, DJ equips professionals and leaders to navigate the AI-driven security era. The book’s success led to a major institution adopting it for curriculum integration, training thousands of learners nationwide.
His career highlights include delivering cybersecurity solutions for manufacturing firms at Coforge, transforming security postures through AI, automation, and zero-trust strategies, and building high-performance SOC teams aligned with business objectives.
Creator of The CEO Brief, DJ translates complex security concepts into concise insights for decision-makers. His approach treats cybersecurity as a business enabler — focused on measurable risk reduction, operational resilience, and a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility.
Throughout his career, DJ has: • Managed IT infrastructure for IT and IT-enabled companies, overseeing cybersecurity services from inception to full-scale implementation — including risk assessments using frameworks such as NIST CSF and ISO 27001, developing a three-year cybersecurity roadmap, and establishing a Security Operations Center (SOC). • Enhanced security postures by remediating infrastructure and application gaps, leveraging AI adoption, automation, and zero-trust strategies. • Built high-performance SOC teams and designed security frameworks that align seamlessly with business objectives. • He is currently associated with Coforge, leading cybersecurity services for a major cement manufacturer with operations spanning five countries — Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.
He believes cybersecurity is not merely a technical function, but a strategic business enabler. His approach emphasizes measurable risk reduction, operational resilience, and fostering a culture where security becomes a shared responsibility across the organization.
In addition to his corporate contributions, DJ is the creator of The CEO Brief — a leadership-focused video series that simplifies complex cybersecurity concepts for business leaders. His roles as an author, speaker, strategist, and advisor continue to influence both the technical and executive sides of the cybersecurity world.
Founder
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar is the founder of the Cybersecurity Career Academy, a platform dedicated to equipping aspiring IT and cybersecurity professionals with foundational and practical digital skills.
Products & Services:
- Essential IT Course Series
A foundational program that equips learners with essential IT skills, creating a strong technical base for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.
- Cybersecurity Course Series
An advanced learning track that transitions students from IT fundamentals to mastering cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, strategies, and best practices.
- Cybersecurity Internship Program
A hands-on internship opportunity where participants apply their skills in real-world cybersecurity environments, gaining industry-ready experience.
- THETECHPROTEIN
A complete digital solutions provider offering domain registration, web hosting, business email hosting, SSL certificates, and Acronis backup services as an authorized reseller.
Early Life
His passion for learning and analytical thinking led him to earn a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad, followed by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Marathwada Institute of Technology under Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.
His passion for learning and analytical thinking led him to earn a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad, followed by a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Marathwada Institute of Technology under Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.
He is a proud son of Ashok Naldurgkar — an educator, writer, and academician renowned for his profound teaching. Dhananjay credits his father for instilling in him a love for language and gives full credit for his writing skills to his father’s influence. His mother’s unwavering encouragement and the constant inspiration from his sisters have also been integral to his journey. Their presence is deeply woven into his writing, shaping the values, insights, and perspectives that define his work.
Professional Experience
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar has over two decades of diverse professional experience spanning cybersecurity leadership, IT infrastructure management, technical training, and security consultancy across India and Southeast Asia. His career reflects a consistent trajectory of technical mastery, leadership growth, and strategic impact.
- Senior Consultant – Cybersecurity Services – Coforge (Mar 2020 – Present, Bangkok, Thailand & India)
Leading high-impact cybersecurity projects for clients across manufacturing and enterprise sectors. Responsibilities include designing IT and OT security frameworks, enhancing security posture through AI-driven automation, zero-trust strategies, vulnerability management, and SOC leadership. Played a key role in improving a client’s cybersecurity rating from 370 to an industry-leading 810. Skills: Team Management, Cybersecurity, Network Security, IT Audit, IAM, SIEM, Incident Management, ISO 27001.
- Cybersecurity Consultant & Trainer – TheTechProtein (Jun 2019 – Mar 2020, Pune, India)
Provided consulting for enterprise security architecture while training aspiring professionals under the Cybersecurity Career Academy initiative. Specialized in hands-on training for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and defensive security strategies.
- Head – Systems and Technology Group (Assistant Director STG) – Neeyamo (Oct 2017 – Jun 2019, Pune, India)
Oversaw IT and security operations for global clients, including IAM, SAN management, ISO 27001 compliance, and enterprise network security.
- 'Manager – Managed Services (Data Centre Security)' – DiGiSPICE Technologies (Dec 2014 – Oct 2017, Pune, India)
Managed end-to-end data center security operations, IT audits, virtualization (VMware vSphere), and access control systems.
- 'IT Manager' – ITAD Group (Jun 2013 – Nov 2014, Pune, India)
Directed IT operations, network security, and infrastructure management for corporate environments.
- 'IT Infrastructure Operations Manager' – Samruddha Jeevan Infotech India Pvt Ltd (Jan 2012 – Jun 2013, Pune, India)
Led enterprise-level infrastructure operations, SAN administration, and systems security.
- 'Senior Infrastructure Engineer' – Guru Shishya Infosolutions Pvt Ltd (Dec 2009 – Nov 2011, India)
Provided IT operations leadership, server management, and enterprise systems support.
- 'Technical Trainer' – Global Talent Track (Jun 2009 – Dec 2009, India)
Delivered corporate technical training in IT infrastructure and network management.
- 'Technical Trainer (MCSE/CCNA/RHCE)' – HCL Career Development Center (Jan 2009 – Jun 2009, Aurangabad, India)
Conducted professional certification training in Microsoft, Cisco, and Red Hat technologies.
- 'Desktop Support Engineer' – We Technologies (Jun 2007 – Jan 2009, Aurangabad, India)
Provided desktop support, network troubleshooting, and systems maintenance.
- 'Field Engineer for Sify Ltd (Sify iWay)' – Talent Maximus (Jan 2007 – Jun 2007, Aurangabad, India)
Managed network operations and customer support for Sify internet services.
Education
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar has pursued a strong academic foundation in mechanical engineering, which later complemented his analytical and problem-solving skills in the cybersecurity domain.
- 'Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Mechanical Engineering' – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (2004 – 2008)
Graduated with Second Division – Successfully completed his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering Activities & Societies: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
- 'Diploma in Mechanical Engineering' – Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad (2000 – 2003)
Graduated with Distinction. The diploma offered hands-on exposure to industrial machinery, production processes, and mechanical design principles, laying the technical groundwork for his future career. Activities & Societies: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- 'Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)' – Saraswati Bhuvan High School, Aurangabad (Nov 1999 – Jan 2000)
Graduated with Distinction. His higher secondary education helped build strong fundamentals in mathematics, physics, and problem-solving, which would later prove valuable in his engineering and cybersecurity career.
Career
DJ has built a distinguished career as a cybersecurity leader, working extensively across industries with a focus on manufacturing, telecom, and enterprise security. Key highlights include:
- Over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity strategy, architecture, and operations.
- Managing critical projects that improved security posture ratings to industry-leading levels.
- Designing and implementing robust IT and OT security frameworks.
- Expertise in vulnerability management, SIEM, XDR, phishing awareness, red teaming, and AI-driven SOC operations.
- Recognized by directors and CEOs as a trusted advisor for strategic security initiatives.
He has worked with leading organizations, earning awards such as the Guiding Star Award at Spice Digital for Vodafone’s SDP platform upgrade and multiple Employee of the Year and Annual Excellence awards. In 2025, he received the 'Cyberdome Data Guardian Award' for his contributions to data protection.
Dhananjay “DJ” Naldurgkar is a seasoned cybersecurity leader, author, and trainer with over two decades of experience safeguarding businesses across Asia. Known for his long-standing, high-impact contributions, he has led some of the most critical security initiatives in the manufacturing sector — including boosting a client’s cybersecurity posture rating from 370 to an industry-leading 810, surpassing even Big Four benchmarks. His career highlights include the Guiding Star Award at Spice Digital in 2017 for co-creating the success of Vodafone’s SDP platform upgrade, and the prestigious Cyberdome Data Guardian Award in 2025 for his exceptional contributions to data protection and cybersecurity. Trusted by directors and CEOs alike, DJ specializes in IT and OT security frameworks, vulnerability management, SIEM, XDR, phishing awareness, red teaming, and AI-driven security operations. His strategic vision and actionable guidance have earned strong endorsements from senior leadership teams across multiple industries. As an author, DJ has penned several cybersecurity titles, including Journey of an Email, and AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced. He also created The CEO Brief Series – 2-Minute Power Talks for Business Leaders Who Take Security Seriously, a popular leadership-focused video series that simplifies complex security topics into concise, actionable insights for decision-makers. Beyond his corporate and publishing achievements, DJ has trained over 16,000 students across 160 countries and is a sought-after speaker known for making cybersecurity practical, relatable, and easy to understand.
Author & Educator
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar is a recognised cybersecurity author and educator, holding the status of an Amazon Authorised Author. His works focus on simplifying complex cybersecurity concepts for both professionals and decision-makers, making him a trusted voice in the industry.
He has authored multiple books, including: • Journey of an Email • AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced • Mastering the art of IT Infrastructure Management
His latest book, AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced, has been widely acclaimed and adopted by a major institution for curriculum integration, equipping thousands of learners to navigate the AI-driven security era.
DJ is also the creator of 'The CEO Brief Series – 2-Minute Power Talks for Business Leaders Who Take Security Seriously', a leadership-focused video series that translates complex security issues into concise, actionable insights.
As an educator, he has trained over '16,000 students worldwide', delivering workshops, lectures, and mentorship sessions that make cybersecurity practical, understandable, and relevant to real-world challenges.
Achievements
• Cyberdome Data Guardian Award – 2025 • Guiding Star Award for co-creating success for Vodafone USSD SDP Zonal architecture upgrade – Spice Digital -2017 • Multiple Employee of the Year and Annual Excellence Awards – 2025, 2012, 2011 • Author of three widely recognized cybersecurity books • Creator of The CEO Brief Series - 2025 • Long-serving cybersecurity leader with over 5.5 years at Coforge
Personal Life
Outside the realm of cybersecurity, DJ is an artist, a skilled tabla and piano player, and an avid photographer. His creative pursuits provide balance and inspire fresh perspectives that enrich his professional leadership style.
Mission
To empower organizations, professionals, and future leaders with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to protect their digital assets in an increasingly complex cyber landscape. By blending technical expertise with business-oriented security practices, Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar strives to make cybersecurity a shared responsibility and a strategic enabler for growth, resilience, and innovation.
Vision
To create a global culture where cybersecurity is seamlessly integrated into every business decision, empowering leaders and organizations to operate with confidence in the digital age. Dhananjay envisions a future where AI-enabled security, informed leadership, and continuous education form the foundation for safe, transparent, and resilient enterprises worldwide.
Philanthropy
DJ is committed to spreading cybersecurity awareness beyond corporate environments. He actively engages in community workshops, educational webinars, and mentorship programs, empowering students, professionals, and business owners with the knowledge to protect themselves in the digital world. He also offers free cybersecurity education to students from humble backgrounds who cannot afford costly training programs, ensuring that financial limitations never stand in the way of learning.