Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar
About
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:
- Delivered cybersecurity solutions for manufacturing companies while working with Coforge.
- Transformed security postures through AI adoption, automation, and zero-trust strategies.
- Built high-performance SOC teams and security frameworks that align with business objectives.
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 – Structured programs designed to help learners master five core IT skills, including endpoint management, servers & storage management, and physical networking fundamentals.
- Cybersecurity Course Series – Advanced training modules that enable learners to secure and monitor real-world IT environments effectively.
Through these initiatives, DJ provides learners with clear, hands-on pathways into cybersecurity careers, starting from essential IT operations to applied security scenarios.
Early Life
Dhananjay Ashokrao Naldurgkar was born on 25 October 1982 in India. Growing up, he displayed a natural curiosity for technology, systems, and problem-solving. His early years were marked by a keen interest in understanding how things worked — whether mechanical systems, electrical devices, or the emerging digital tools of the time.
Raised in a supportive family environment, DJ developed a strong work ethic and discipline, values that later shaped his professional approach. His passion for learning and analytical thinking led him to pursue a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad, where he graduated with distinction. This early academic success reinforced his belief in combining technical knowledge with practical application.
During his teenage and college years, DJ actively engaged in technical projects and workshops, sharpening his skills in engineering design, process optimization, and systematic troubleshooting. These experiences built the structured, methodical mindset that would later become crucial in his transition to cybersecurity — a field where precision, foresight, and problem-solving are paramount.
This foundation of technical rigor, coupled with his growing awareness of the digital revolution, inspired him to apply engineering principles to information security, setting the stage for a career that would span leadership, authorship, and global impact.
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. The program provided an in-depth understanding of mechanical systems, technical design, and process optimization. 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 protecting businesses across Asia. Recognized as a long-serving, high-impact professional, he has spearheaded some of the most critical security projects in the manufacturing sector — including elevating a client’s cybersecurity posture rating from 370 to an industry-leading 810, surpassing even Big Four benchmarks.
DJ’s career is marked by numerous accolades. He earned the Guiding Star Award at Spice Digital for co-creating the success of Vodafone’s SDP platform upgrade, has been named Employee of the Year in multiple organizations, and has received several annual excellence awards. In 2025, he was honored with the Cyberdome Data Guardian Award for his exceptional contributions to data protection and cybersecurity.
Trusted by many directors and CEOs, DJ is an expert in designing and implementing IT and OT security frameworks, as well as in vulnerability management, SIEM, XDR, phishing awareness, red teaming, and AI-driven security operations. His strategic vision and practical guidance have earned him strong endorsements from senior leadership teams across industries.
As an author, DJ has written multiple cybersecurity books, including Journey of an Email, Email Under Siege, and AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced. He is also the creator of The CEO Brief Series – 2-Minute Power Talks for Business Leaders Who Take Security Seriously, a widely followed leadership-focused video series that translates complex security concepts into concise, actionable insights for decision-makers.
Beyond his corporate and publishing achievements, DJ has trained over 16,000 students worldwide and regularly delivers talks that make cybersecurity practical 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
- Email Under Siege
- AI in Cybersecurity – Adapt or Be Replaced
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 – Spice Digital
- Multiple Employee of the Year and Annual Excellence Awards
- Author of three widely recognized cybersecurity books
- Creator of The CEO Brief Series
- Long-serving cybersecurity leader with over 5.5 years at Coforge
Personal Life
Outside of cybersecurity, DJ is an artist, tabla and piano player, and a passionate photographer. His creative pursuits complement his professional work, bringing balance and fresh perspectives to his 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 frequently participates in community workshops, educational webinars, and mentorship programs, aiming to equip students, professionals, and business owners with the knowledge to protect themselves in the digital world.