Raj Badhwar has 30 years of hands-on leadership experience in Cybersecurity and IT, currently serving as the SVP and Global CISO at Jacobs Engineering. He is the former SVP and CISO at Voya Financial and former SVP and Global Head of Security at AIG, with additional executive security leadership roles at Oracle, Bank of America, and BAE Systems. Raj holds multiple certifications, including CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), and OCP (Oracle Cloud Certified Professional), and is FINRA licensed.
As a thought leader, Raj has authored five cybersecurity books, including Generative AI: Strategies for Risk Management and Secure Implementations, The CISO Guide to Incident Response, and The CISO Guide to Zero Trust Security. He has also co-authored 14 security patents and is a frequent speaker at major security conferences, presenting on cutting-edge cybersecurity and leadership topics.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Raj shared insights on the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in shaping the future of cybersecurity, the secret mantra behind his success, personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Raj. What drives your passion for cybersecurity and digital transformation?
My passion for cybersecurity is rooted in purpose. First and foremost, it’s about protecting what matters—corporate assets, sensitive employee and customer data, and the digital backbone of the business. But it goes beyond defense. I’m driven by the opportunity to lead from the front, to shape the next generation of cyber defenders by mentoring talent and building high-performing, future-ready teams. I’m especially passionate about democratizing cybersecurity—creating pathways for diverse talent to enter and thrive in this field, because our strength lies in perspectives as much as in tools. And at the core of it all, I see cybersecurity not as a blocker but as a business enabler—empowering the organization to innovate, move fast, and win in the marketplace with confidence.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What I love most about my role is the unique opportunity to shape and influence across the full spectrum of cybersecurity, identity, and infrastructure. I get to drive architecture, engineering, and operations for key strategic initiatives, ensuring that our defenses are not only strong, resilient, and future-ready—but also aligned with business priorities. I have the ability to modernize our cybersecurity policies to reflect today’s dynamic threat landscape, while also advocating for critical investments at the C-suite and board level—translating risk into business value in a language they understand.
One of the most rewarding aspects is being able to manage both upwards and downwards—engaging senior executives with financial and strategic insight, while also connecting with engineers and analysts through technical depth and hands-on leadership. I thrive at the intersection of business and technology, whether it’s collaborating with IT peers to build secure and scalable systems, partnering with external cyber leaders to strengthen our collective defense, or mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity talent. Building resilient teams, future-proof defenses, and a culture of security across all levels—that’s what truly drives me.
What role do you think artificial intelligence and machine learning will play in cybersecurity?
AI and ML are already playing a transformative role in cybersecurity—and their importance will only grow. These technologies offer the ability to detect advanced polymorphic and metamorphic malware, especially those leveraging advanced evasion techniques (AETs) that often bypass traditional defenses. AI also enables machine-speed, auto-reactive incident response, helping teams contain and mitigate threats in real time.
Critically, AI and ML are becoming essential in detecting sophisticated identity-based attacks—including those capable of defeating multi-factor authentication (MFA) through techniques like session hijacking, credential stuffing, and behavioral mimicry. As adversaries increasingly use AI to generate malware and deepfakes, defenders must rely on AI-driven capabilities to detect, attribute, and remediate such threats effectively.
Beyond detection, AI also plays a growing role in predictive analytics, behavior-based anomaly detection, and automated threat hunting, allowing organizations to shift from reactive defense to a proactive, intelligence-driven posture. While AI is not a silver bullet, when applied thoughtfully and ethically, it’s a powerful force multiplier in building adaptive, resilient cyber defense strategies.
What inspired you to write your first book, and how has your writing process evolved over time? As a 5X published author, can you share any interesting anecdotes or insights from your writing process?
My first book was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between theory and practice in cybersecurity. I wanted to provide hands-on, actionable guidance across critical topics—ranging from how AI/ML can be applied to real-world cyber use cases, to leveraging post-quantum cryptography to stay ahead of future threats from quantum computers, detecting advanced malware, managing cyber risk, and implementing modern approaches to data and identity security, including Active Directory hardening, as well as endpoint, cloud, and network security.
Over time, my writing has evolved to reflect the changing threat landscape and the needs of cybersecurity professionals on the ground. Across five books, I’ve focused on what truly matters: advanced cybersecurity paradigms, Zero Trust security, Incident Response, Gen AI security, and cybersecurity leadership in a high-threat, high-stakes environment.
Each book has been a journey—equal parts research, reflection, and field insight. One constant thread has been the feedback from readers and other cyber professionals in the trenches who say, “This helped me solve a real problem.” That, for me, is the most rewarding part of the process—knowing that the work isn’t just informative, but transformational.
Congratulations on being recognized as one of the Top 100 CISOs (C100), 2025. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
Thank you—I’m truly honored by the recognition. If there’s a mantra behind my journey, it’s rooted in a few core principles. First, the zeal to lead from the front—not just in title, but in action. Whether it’s responding to incidents, or guiding our security, identity, and risk management strategy—including Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)—I believe in being engaged, hands-on, and accountable.
Second, I believe in working hard, but also working smart—focusing on initiatives that deliver measurable security outcomes and enable the business to move forward confidently. Staying current is essential, so I continuously track emerging threat vectors, advanced security paradigms, and cutting-edge remediation techniques to keep our defenses agile and effective.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is the ability to hire, develop, and empower diverse, skilled cybersecurity talent. Building the next generation of cyber leaders is not just a goal—it’s a responsibility. And finally, collaboration—with both internal stakeholders and external partners—is foundational. No one secures an enterprise alone; success comes from aligned, cross-functional efforts that build a strong, unified defense posture.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Outside of work, I like to stay intellectually curious and creatively engaged. I enjoy working on security and identity-related patents—it’s a great way to push the boundaries of innovation in the field I love. When I’m looking to unwind, I’m a big fan of sci-fi movies and shows—anything that stretches the imagination and explores futuristic possibilities.
For a more active break, I love playing table tennis, and when the mood strikes, I dabble in a bit of amateur singing—strictly for fun! I’m also a passionate baseball and cricket fan, and I never miss a chance to catch a good game. It’s all about balance—staying sharp, having fun, and making space for the things that recharge you.
What is your favorite quote?
“Security is a process, not a product.” — Bruce Schneier
Which technology are you investing in now to prepare for the future?
To build a future-ready cybersecurity posture, I recommend that cybersecurity leaders adopt a Zero Trust model grounded in least privilege across applications, networks, and data. This includes enforcing adaptive, risk-based access to applications through identity-aware proxies and just-in-time privileges; implementing micro-segmentation and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to limit lateral movement and continuously validate identity and device posture; and securing data using continuous classification, encryption, DLP, and CASB controls across hybrid environments.
In parallel, it’s critical to prepare for the coming wave of quantum threats. Leaders should consider introducing dual root certificate authorities — one using established standards like RSA, and the other built on quantum-resistant algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Dilithium or Falcon — to ensure long-term cryptographic resilience. Finally, investing in AI- and ML-driven detection and response platforms is essential. These technologies can autonomously analyze behavior, detect subtle anomalies, and support SOC teams with automated decision-making and accelerated incident response. These aren’t futuristic ideas — they are pragmatic steps leaders should take now to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how do you see yourself evolving as a leader over the next five years?
Over the next five to seven years, I see myself evolving into a more strategic and advisory role—guiding and advising organizations as a board member, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, identity, and risk management. I believe experienced cybersecurity leaders have a vital role at the board level, helping shape strategy, strengthen resilience, and ensure responsible digital governance.
I’m also passionate about continuing my journey as a cybersecurity evangelist, which includes aspirations to teach part-time and guest lecture. I’d especially like to teach cybersecurity certification classes to returning veterans and students, helping them build critical skills and launch meaningful careers in the field. For me, leadership is not just about delivering outcomes—it’s about inspiring, mentoring, and elevating others. That’s the kind of impact I hope to expand in the years ahead.
What advice would you give to aspiring CISOs and cybersecurity professionals?
There’s no shortcut to hard work in cybersecurity—especially if your goal is to become a CISO. My advice is to get hands-on experience across as many domains as possible: engineering, architecture, operations, risk, identity, cloud, governance, and threat intelligence. The broader and deeper your exposure, the stronger your foundation will be as a future leader.
Don’t pursue the CISO title for the money or prestige. Do it because you’re passionate about protecting people, data, and the business. And know this: being a CISO can be a high-stress, high-accountability role. You’ll need to make tough decisions, often under pressure, with limited information.
But if you lead with humility, integrity, and service, it’s incredibly rewarding. Always put your team ahead of yourself—invest in them, support them, and help them grow. That’s how you become not just a CISO, but a cyber leader who truly makes a lasting impact.