Byline: Malana VanTyler
Artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword for global enterprises. On the one hand, it optimizes efficiency. On the other hand, it multiplies security risks, such as data leakage via large language models (LLMs). Chetan Pathade, a GenAI Security Engineer, has taken on this challenge. With a rare mix of practical skill and analytical prowess, he helps secure cloud infrastructure from cyberattacks.
Securing the AI Shift
Enterprises race to deploy LLMs and generative systems at scale. However, few understand how to secure them. Traditional cybersecurity approaches don’t always translate to AI, where data pipelines and model behavior introduce new vulnerabilities. These include prompt injection attacks, training data poisoning, and the exposure of sensitive information through model responses.
In these environments, there is no margin for error. One breach can impact millions of users worldwide. Pathade tackles this issue with a focus on offensive security. In other words, he builds protection into systems from the beginning rather than reacting after breaches occur. “What fascinates me is the intersection of cybersecurity with artificial intelligence – two of technology’s most transformative domains,” he says.
Before joining enterprise roles, Pathade built his reputation as a bug bounty researcher, identifying and reporting vulnerabilities to major platforms. His early work in responsible disclosure earned him recognition in several Hall of Fame programs across leading organizations
From Curiosity to Cyber Defense
Pathade’s interest in cybersecurity began in 2018 during his undergraduate fellowship at Teesside University in the UK. What started as academic curiosity soon became a career mission. “I committed to cybersecurity as my specialized field and began developing expertise in this area,” he says.
Breaking into cybersecurity wasn’t easy. He began as a Test Automation Engineer at Quantiphi Inc., then moved into threat research at Qualys. At this company, he served as a member of the Attack Surface Management team. , Pathade advanced to the Eaton India Innovation Center, where he worked as a Product Cybersecurity Engineer. In this role, he protected critical systems across a global product portfolio.
Pathade furthered his education at Carnegie Mellon University. “It’s a prestigious institution renowned for its rigorous and comprehensive Information Security program,” he says. “In May 2024, I completed my Master’s in Information Security.” During his academic journey, he also contributed to the cybersecurity research community, authoring several peer-reviewed publications that are available on his Google Scholar profile. These works have been recognized within academic circles for advancing cybersecurity knowledge.
As a Security Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Pathade is fulfilling a professional aspiration to work in security. He leverages his academic training and hands-on experience to safeguard complex cloud environments.
The Discipline of Constant Learning
“The most significant challenge in cybersecurity is maintaining currency in a field that evolves at an extraordinary pace,” says Pathade. His daily learning strategy involves reading research papers, conducting lab experiments, and participating in cybersecurity communities. This discipline has helped him avoid emerging threats, such as new exploit techniques and adversarial AI attacks.
Pathade is candid about his early struggles with mastering technical concepts. Instead of giving up, he adapted his learning process. “I focused on thorough comprehension rather than matching others’ progress,” he says. He discovered that each individual’s learning process is uniquely their own. What matters most is a commitment to continuous improvement and the resilience to persist through difficult learning phases.
This mindset has shaped Pathade’s long-term approach to leadership. Though early in his professional journey, he actively builds the foundation for future leadership by seeking mentorship, embracing complex projects, and maintaining humility in his growth.
Building a More Secure Future
“My long-term vision is to establish myself as a leader in the cybersecurity industry and eventually launch my own security product company,” says Pathade. Additionally, he aims to identify and nurture unconventional cybersecurity talent with his future business venture. He believes that many skilled individuals, even without formal credentials, can thrive in cybersecurity if given the right opportunity. His future recruitment philosophy centers on aptitude, curiosity, and problem-solving ability over traditional qualifications, a reflection of his own journey into the field.
His recruitment will prioritize people with aptitude and drive, even if they lack traditional credentials. Meanwhile, as AI rewrites how the world creates, communicates, and computes, Chetan Pathade protects critical systems and data from cyber threats.
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This story was distributed as a release by Jon Stojan under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program.
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