“Cybersecurity is not just a function; it’s a culture of vigilance, trust, and transformation that empowers organizations to grow securely in the digital age.” - Venkata Ramana Ratnakaram

Venkata Ramana Ratnakaram, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited, is a distinguished technology leader with over 25 years of exemplary experience spanning IT, Information Security, and Digital Transformation. A graduate of Andhra University with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering, and an alumnus of the Management Development Programme at IIM Kozhikode, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic management acumen.

At Spandana Sphoorty, Venkata Ramana spearheads the company’s information security,Cyber Security and risk management framework, ensuring adherence to RBI,CERT-IN, ISO 27001 and other regulatory standards. His leadership centers on three pillars; Cyber Risk & Intelligence, Data Loss Prevention & Cyber Security Awareness, and Identity & Access Management. By integrating AI, ML, RPA, IoT, and advanced analytics, he has strengthened the organization’s cyber resilience while enabling operational excellence and business agility.

His visionary approach has earned widespread recognition, including Top 50 Tech Leaders in NBFC 2025 by ET Edge – The Times Group, the Leadership Excellence Award 2025, and CISO of the Year titles from CIOAxis (2024) and UBS Forums (2023). He has also been featured among the CSO Disruptive 100, CISO 100, and Cyber Sentinel Awardees, reflecting his transformative impact across the BFSI cybersecurity landscape.

A respected speaker, writer, and mentor, Venkata Ramana continues to inspire the next generation of security leaders, driving a people-first, innovation-led approach that fosters trust, resilience, and growth in the digital era.