Viswanath Sashank Jajala
Viswanath Sashank Jajala is an Indian senior technology leader, internationally published author, and leadership coach based in Navi Mumbai. He has over 20 years of global experience in IT, cybersecurity, SAP, and digital transformation across various industries, and is also a certified Corporate Trainer and Facilitator.
Education
Viswanath Sashank Jajala completed an Executive Program in Leadership in AI from IIM Vishakapatnam. He holds a PGDM from WeSchool and an Executive Masters in Business Administration from XIBMS. Additionally, he earned a Diploma in Cyber Laws from the Asian School of Cyber Law and completed an Executive Program in Compliance Management from ISB. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Application from Osmania University.
He is currently pursuing a PG Diploma in Management (Business Administration) with We School, Welingkar University (2024–2026), and a Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology from Jain University (2024–2026).
Career
Viswanath Sashank Jajala is passionate about how technology can reshape business performance, strengthen resilience, and unlock new value through augmenting AI amid evolving cyber threats. His expertise lies at the intersection of digital innovation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and operational excellence across domains and industries.
With over 20 years of global experience, he has led end-to-end transformations in IT, cybersecurity, SAP, and digital solutions. His work includes driving cybersecurity strategies to protect mission-critical operations, leading SAP implementations and GRC programs across geographies, conducting complex risk assessments and compliance initiatives, enabling digital product testing, automation, and data-driven decision-making, and building high-performance teams that deliver at scale.
His leadership philosophy blends strategic vision with pragmatic, hands-on execution. He believes in empowering people, simplifying complexity, and using technology as a catalyst for sustainable, measurable business outcomes.
He is a seasoned IT and technology leader with 22+ years of global experience driving digital transformation, cybersecurity, and governance across the Pharma, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Utilities sectors, specializing in enterprise-scale IT strategies, GRC frameworks, and cybersecurity assurance with a strong command over SAP Basis & Security, Risk Management, and Cloud technologies.
Senior Manager, Business Digital Services – Wärtsilä India Private Limited, Mumbai (Nov 2014 – Present)
His growth path at Wärtsilä includes Senior Manager, Business Digital Services (Jun 2022 – Present), Manager – Cyber Governance, Risk & Assurance (Jul 2021 – Jun 2022), and Deputy General Manager (Nov 2014 – Jun 2021).
As Senior Manager, Business Digital Services, he spearheads a high-performing team of Python developers, QA testers, and process specialists delivering digital products in the energy storage and optimization domain, established and scaled a new QA and software testing vertical under enterprise IT, drives strategic planning and budgeting including FTE forecasting and CapEx proposals, and collaborates with global IT leadership to build and operationalize the India Delivery Centre.
As Manager – Cyber Governance, Risk & Assurance, he led enterprise-level cyber risk management strategies including risk assessments and Value at Risk analysis using the FAIR methodology, directed third-party cyber risk management processes, served as primary owner for customer assurance activities, and ensured adherence to standards including ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and CMMC.
As Deputy General Manager, he served as Global Head of SAP Basis, Security & GRC across 80+ countries and 130+ locations, directed the Global GRC project, architected the SAP S/4HANA Transformation Program, and led high-impact initiatives including DB compression, GRC 10.1 upgrade, EHP7 upgrade, and M&A integrations, while championing Robotic Process Automation with UiPath.
Prior to Wärtsilä, he served as Senior Manager at Gemini Consulting Services (Jul 2014 – Oct 2014), leading the SAP Basis and Security Practice and heading the Instructional Design & Training team.
He worked as Sr. Consultant, SAP Basis & Security Solution Architect, CoE Lead at Cognizant Technology Solutions (Nov 2008 – Jun 2014), and as SAP Basis & Security Consultant at Tata Consultancy Services (Jan 2007 – Oct 2008) and earlier in his career at the same role level (Jan 2004 – Jan 2007).
His early career included System Admin roles at Instance Software Solutions and Knoah Solutions.
Achievements
Viswanath Sashank Jajala is the internationally published author of the book "Leadership After Success: When stability becomes a Risk." He has been honoured with several awards including the Indian Icon Award for Best Debut Author, the Indian Literature Award 2026 from the Indian Literature & Arts Society, the "Ecosystem & Strategic Technology Partnership Leaders" award at the CIO Tech Leadership Conference, and an Honorary D. Litt.
He has built a scalable partner ecosystem establishing innovative delivery engagement models with external partners and vendors (2024–25), launched Business Digital Services from the ground up (2022), pioneered the first AI Ideathon at the India Delivery Center (2024), expanded India Delivery Center capabilities beyond Enterprise ICT (2019–2025), defined the strategic vision and roadmap for the India Delivery Center's digital transformation (2022–2024), standardized Cyber Assurance frameworks (2021), implemented ERP IT Risk Management and GRC solutions (2018–2019), and streamlined the IT operating model to eliminate silos (2017–2018).
He holds industry-recognized certifications including Certified GRC Auditor (GRCA), ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, ISO 20000 Foundation, Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE), ITIL® 4 Foundation, Certified GRC Professional (GRCP), PRINCE2®, and Certified ScrumMaster®.
Key Skills
His key skills include Cybersecurity Risk Management, GCC Operating Models, Digital Transformation, SAP Implementation & GRC, FinOps, IT Strategy & Governance, Team Leadership, and Operational Excellence.
Technical Skills: SAP Basis & Security, Cloud Platforms (Azure, SAP Cloud), Python, Robotic Process Automation (RPA – UiPath), DevOps & QA Automation, Agile & ITIL® Frameworks.
Core Competencies: IT Strategy & Leadership, Cybersecurity Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), Digital Transformation, IT Audit & Internal Controls, Third-Party Risk Management, IT Budgeting & Forecasting, Program & Project Management, Enterprise Architecture, Vendor & Stakeholder Management, Customer Assurance & Cyber Flowdown, Change Management, Software Testing.
Soft Skills: Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Communication, Team Management, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, Risk Management, Change Management, Relationship Building, Mentoring.
Personal Life
Sashank currently resides in Navi Mumbai and is a proud father to two teenage sons. Having grown up on various Indian Air Force bases as the son of an Air Force officer, he developed a deep appreciation for discipline, adaptability, and resilience from an early age — values shaped by the frequent moves and diverse environments of a service family upbringing. His mother has been a profound influence on his life, her constant encouragement and unwavering support laying the foundation for his personal and professional journey. He is also the youngest of three siblings, with two elder sisters who are both married and now settled abroad.