Dr Neelanjan Manna
Dr Neelanjan Manna is an Indian cybersecurity researcher, cryptography innovator, and technology entrepreneur based in Kolkata, West Bengal. He is recognized for his pioneering work in secure communications, post-quantum cryptography, and zero-trust security solutions. As the Managing Director of Dortress Technologies Private Limited, he focuses on developing lightweight, high-performance encryption technologies designed for modern digital infrastructure.
Early Life
Dr Neelanjan Manna was born on 03 August 1997 in South Kolkata, West Bengal. His upbringing was profoundly shaped by the dual legacies of his grandfathers—one a freedom fighter who instilled a rebellious spirit and passion for breaking established norms, and the other a businessman who imparted practical wisdom and understanding of commerce. These influences, coupled with early financial constraints, forged a character marked by resilience and innovation. From childhood, he demonstrated intellectual curiosity, often dismantling household electronics to understand their inner mechanics—a precursor to his later fascination with the intricate architectures of software and cryptography.
Education
Dr Neelanjan Manna pursued his higher education at the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, where he earned a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) degree in 2020. During his academic years, he developed a singular focus on cryptography and programming, cultivating deep technical expertise while forging lifelong friendships that would sustain him through the challenges of unconventional thinking. His academic journey involved deliberate choices to dive deeper into the mathematical foundations of computer science, spending countless hours in laboratories debugging code and devising novel algorithmic approaches.
Career and Innovation
Manna Cipher and Cryptographic Innovation
Dr Manna's breakthrough came with the creation of the Manna Cipher in 2020, a mathematical ciphering model that utilizes a sophisticated numbering system for ciphertext. The cipher is designed to be extraordinarily difficult to crack even with the immense processing power of modern supercomputers, addressing the inherent limitations of conventional alphanumeric systems and introducing a novel layer of complexity. The Manna Cipher caught the attention of cybersecurity experts and academicians globally, positioning him as an innovative voice in cryptographic research.
SciFii Inc
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Manna channeled adversity into entrepreneurial action, establishing SciFii Inc, which he operated from a modest garage-sized room at his family home in Kolkata. With limited resources but boundless determination, he developed software solutions emphasizing offline functionality, data sovereignty, and cryptographic security—principles that would become cornerstones of his professional philosophy. Though a small operation, SciFii Inc served as a critical stepping stone for larger ventures.
Swastikk AITech
Dr Manna served as Chief Innovation Officer at Swastikk AITech, where he led deep-tech initiatives spanning AI-powered quantum computing and blockchain technology. His work extended beyond theoretical research to practical development of indigenous cryptographical algorithms, battlefield AI engines, and sophisticated deepfake detection tools designed to bolster national security. His approach was holistic, ensuring that every algorithm and system was transparent, auditable, and aligned with India's digital sovereignty.
Harness and Distributed Systems
Dr Manna worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Harness, applying his expertise in cloud-native systems and chaos engineering. His contributions to Litmus Chaos, a CNCF incubating project, underscored his commitment to building resilient, fault-tolerant infrastructure capable of withstanding the unpredictability of modern distributed environments.
ConureDB
Dr Manna created ConureDB, a distributed key-value database built entirely from scratch using the Raft consensus algorithm and a B-tree engine. This project reflected his belief that true mastery comes from understanding and building foundational components from the ground up. ConureDB served not only as a technical achievement but also as a pedagogical tool, with comprehensive documentation to mentor aspiring developers pursuing deep learning in database architecture.
Dortress Technologies Private Limited
Dr Manna is the Managing Director of Dortress Technologies Private Limited, a cybersecurity firm focused on developing lightweight, high-performance encryption technologies for modern digital infrastructure. Dortress specializes in secure communications, post-quantum cryptography, and zero-trust security solutions, addressing the critical need for robust security in an evolving threat landscape.
Advocacy and Philosophy
Dr Manna is a passionate advocate for India's digital sovereignty and self-reliance in technology. He urges startups and enterprises to develop proprietary solutions and offline-capable systems rather than over-relying on third-party packages, arguing that such reliance compromises intellectual property and undermines national digital independence. His advocacy resonates deeply within the Indian technology community.
He champions a philosophy of building from first principles, encouraging developers to understand and construct foundational components rather than relying solely on external tools. This approach extends to his broader vision for inclusive innovation, recognizing that talent is distributed evenly but opportunity is not.
Mentorship and Community Engagement
Beyond his corporate and entrepreneurial pursuits, Dr Manna has emerged as a mentor and thought leader. He dedicates significant time to fostering grassroots innovation through workshops and hackathons across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, bringing advanced concepts in cryptography, AI, and quantum computing to students and professionals who lack access to metropolitan tech hubs.
His workshops are characterized by a hands-on approach where participants are encouraged to build from scratch, make mistakes, and learn through iterative problem-solving. He advocates for transparent, auditable platforms and explainable AI, ensuring that technologies are not black boxes but open systems that invite scrutiny and trust.
Awards and Recognition
Dr Neelanjan Manna has received recognition from leading industry bodies and award organizations:
- IEEA Dubai Awards Night (2025) — Recognized in India batch
- Corporate Trendz — "10 Leading CXOs in India 2025"
- Corporate Trendz — "10 Most Inspiring AI Leaders in India 2025"
- IISA International Innovative Summit & Awards, Malaysia (2024) — Green Technology Award (Dortress Technologies)
- India MSME & Startup Awards, Kolkata — Excellence in Post-Quantum Security (Dortress Technologies)
- Nation Wise Awards Under 30 (Business Mint) — Excellence in Cyber Security (2026)
- Forbes India–DGEMS Select 200 — Nomination Stage Recognition
Publications and Thought Leadership
Dr Manna is the author of "Reinventing the Wheel," an autobiography detailing his personal and professional evolution, chronicling rejections, failures, and breakthroughs that have shaped his worldview. The title itself is a deliberate provocation against the notion that everything worth inventing has already been invented, asserting that true progress demands a willingness to revisit first principles.
Philosophy and Inspiration
Dr Manna draws inspiration from innovators and thinkers like Elon Musk and Nikola Tesla, admiring their willingness to pursue audacious goals and challenge orthodoxies. He views technology not as an end in itself but as a means for human empowerment, a tool to preserve truth, and a mechanism to amplify human potential.
Throughout his journey from a curious student dismantling gadgets to a recognized innovator and CXO, Dr Neelanjan Manna demonstrates the power of reinvention. His career is rooted in resilience, deep understanding of technical fundamentals, and a commitment to ethical engineering, inspiring a generation to look beyond conventional career paths and use technology as a force for truth, sovereignty, and collective progress.
Contact Information
- Date of Birth: 03 August 1997
- Residence: South Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Email: neelanjan.manna@dortress.com
- Email: igi.manna@gmail.com
- Phone: 9903691108 / 9831880966 / 9903332108