Aparna Achanta

Industry Expert, Texas Cybersecurity Clinic

Aparna Achanta is a Security Architect and Leader at IBM Consulting with extensive experience driving mission-critical cybersecurity initiatives, particularly in U.S. Federal Agencies. Aparna successfully implemented cybersecurity frameworks like Zero Trust and Security by Design for Federal Clients thereby strengthening the security posture and enhancing data protection and security standards across cloud applications.  Aparna Achanta’s leadership resulted in establishing security review boards, secure development practices, vendor evaluations, AI powered threat modeling, vulnerability management, code scanning, observability, and performance monitoring to ensure that enterprise comply with stringent federal guidelines. 

Aparna specializes in securing Emerging technologies, including low-code, No-Code applications, and Generative AI applications. Aparna is member of the Forbes Technology Council and the founding member and speaker at the WomenTech Network. Aparna is an executive board member at Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Austin Chapter and an advisory board member at George Mason University’s Center for Excellence in Government Cybersecurity Risk Management and Resilience. Aparna has written multiple blogs for RSA, ISACA, CSA, ISSA, Forbes, Infosecurity Magazine, IT Security Guru and other major outlets. Aparna is a panelist and a podcast guest on SC Media and RSA Podcasts. 

Aparna graduated with a Masters degree in Information Systems from George Mason University, Virginia in 2014. Aparna enjoys traveling, cooking, trying out local restaurants and coffee shops.