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Santosh Chachar
Verified Expert in Engineering
Information Security Developer
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Toptal member since October 19, 2022
Bio
Santosh is a seasoned information security professional with two decades of experience handling technical, business, legal, and regulatory aspects across cloud, network, systems, and application security. He has led organizations to comply with standards and regulations like ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA while working with various stakeholders and business units. Santosh is a CISSP, CEH, CCIO, and RHCE-certified professional with a diploma in internet crime investigation.
Portfolio
SaaS Product Organization | Video Streaming Analytics
Amazon Web Services (AWS), DevSecOps, Third-party Risk, Third-party Management...
SaaS Product Organization | Meeting Automation
Information Security, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), SOC 2...
SaaS Product Organization | In-app Customer Support Platform
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Privacy...
Experience
- Information Security - 10 years
- Security - 10 years
- Linux - 8 years
- Endpoint Security - 8 years
- ISO 27001 - 7 years
- Cloud Security - 5 years
- Data Privacy - 4 years
- DevSecOps - 4 years
Preferred Environment
Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cloud Security, ISO 27001, Jira, Application Security, SOC 2, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Privacy, DevSecOps
The most amazing...
...projects I've delivered involved implementing information security management systems compliant with ISO 27001:2013 and with GDPR regulatory requirements.
Work Experience
Senior Program Manager | Information Security
2020 - PRESENT
SaaS Product Organization | Video Streaming Analytics
- Implemented the information security management system and achieved ISO 27001 certification by working with all the organization's departments.
- Established the third-party risk management plan, which included policies, multi-team workflows, processes, and automation with OneTrust.
- Developed and delivered the secure SDLC program, which included the following modules: developer training, secure design and coding guidelines, secrets scanning, security testing with SAST and DAST, penetrating testing, and security monitoring.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), DevSecOps, Third-party Management, Third-party Risk, ISO 27001, Security, Endpoint Security, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), GRC, Software Development, Cloud Security, Data Privacy, Security Architecture, Risk Management, Application Security, Penetration Testing, Cross-functional Collaboration, CISSP, Compliance, Information Security, Security Operations Centers (SOC), IT Security, Risk Assessment, CISO, Jira
Principal Manager | Information Security
2019 - 2020
SaaS Product Organization | Meeting Automation
- Led the organization to meet the GDPR regulatory requirements and SOC 2 attestation objectives by collaborating with DevOps, IT, development, QA, and HR teams.
- Drove external penetration tests, third-party vendor assessments, pre-sales support for security and privacy, and data processing agreement reviews.
- Partnered with the legal, sales, and marketing departments for customer contracts, security negotiations, and data privacy matters.
Technologies: Information Security, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), SOC 2, ISO 27001, Security, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Endpoint Security, DevSecOps, Third-party Management, Third-party Risk, GRC, Software Development, Cloud Security, Data Privacy, Security Architecture, Risk Management, Application Security, Penetration Testing, Cross-functional Collaboration, CISSP, Compliance, IT Security, Risk Assessment, CISO, Jira
Information Security Manager
2017 - 2018
SaaS Product Organization | In-app Customer Support Platform
- Served as a subject matter expert, providing advice to external and internal customers regarding security measures, risks, and business impact.
- Implemented GDPR and privacy compliance requirements and privacy shield certification from scratch.
- Developed the information security program, including policies, standards, and guidelines relevant to ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018.
Technologies: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Privacy, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ISO 27001, Security, Endpoint Security, DevSecOps, Third-party Risk, Third-party Management, GRC, Software Development, Cloud Security, Security Architecture, Risk Management, Application Security, Penetration Testing, Cross-functional Collaboration, CISSP, Compliance, Information Security, IT Security, Risk Assessment, CISO
IT and Security Manager
2013 - 2017
gslab
- Drove the implementation of ISO 27001 certification and HIPAA regulatory requirements for the SaaS business units collaborating with various corporate services.
- Performed vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) on applications, networks, systems, and cloud environments.
- Rolled-out Wi-Fi security and secured remote access over SSL and IPSec VPN with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Prepared business continuity and disaster recovery plans, coordinating with all the organization's business units.
Technologies: SIEM, GRC, People Management, Endpoint Security, Linux, Azure Active Directory, VPN, Business Continuity, ISO 27001, Security, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Operating Systems, Networking, DevSecOps, Cloud Security, Bash Script, Security Architecture, Risk Management, Penetration Testing, Linux Administration, Cross-functional Collaboration, CISSP, Compliance, Information Security, Third-party Risk, Security Operations Centers (SOC), IT Security, Risk Assessment, CISO
Technical Leader
2011 - 2013
Atos
- Led technical escalations of Linux support teams handling large server environments of the customer spread across Europe.
- Managed server hardening and baseline, Red Hat Cluster administration, and patching.
- Handled incident management, problem management, and change management plans.
Technologies: Linux, Operating Systems, Linux Administration
System Engineer
2010 - 2011
Emptoris (now IBM)
- Managed Linux servers and 3-tier applications, hosting critical production environments.
- Analyzed and optimized shell scripts for the automation of routine tasks.
- Investigated Linux server performance, integration, and configuration issues.
Technologies: Linux, Operating Systems, Linux Administration
Senior Member of the Technical Staff
2006 - 2010
gslab
- Deployed and maintained Linux-based firewalls, routers, VPN servers, DNS servers, and web servers.
- Rolled-out UTM firewalls, central antivirus, and HP Procurve VLAN switches.
- Deployed and upgraded open-source solutions for DNS, VPN, backup, email security like Spam Assassin, antivirus like ClamAV, and virtualization technologies.
Technologies: Firewalls, VPN, Antivirus Software, Email Security, Linux, Operating Systems, Networking, People Management, Security, Bash Script, Linux Administration, IT Security
Experience
ISO 27001:2013 Certification
Led the organization-wide efforts to implement an information security management system (ISMS) compliant with ISO:27001 certification. I defined and implemented security policies, processes, technologies, and documentation to meet the ISO:27001 requirements achieving the certification.
GDPR Data Privacy Compliance
Spearheaded the implementation of data privacy technical controls, policies, workflows, and processes across the organization to meet the EU GDPR regulatory requirements. Worked as an intermediary between external legal agencies and internal departments.
SIEM Deployment
Conducted the security information and event management (SIEM) deployment by handling the following activities:
• Installed and configured the AlienVault open-source SIEM
• Integrated network and endpoint security devices and servers with the SIEM.
• Trained the IT operations teams on day-to-day administration, integrating additional servers and equipment and adding, modifying, and optimizing rules and alerts.
• Created a custom document and linked it with the SIEM vendor documentation.
• Installed and configured the AlienVault open-source SIEM
• Integrated network and endpoint security devices and servers with the SIEM.
• Trained the IT operations teams on day-to-day administration, integrating additional servers and equipment and adding, modifying, and optimizing rules and alerts.
• Created a custom document and linked it with the SIEM vendor documentation.
Advanced Cloud-based Endpoint Protection
Took part in the company-wide launch of advanced cloud-based endpoint security solutions to protect endpoints from attacks like ransomware with central deployment and management of endpoint security agents.
Education
2000 - 2004
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
University of Pune - Pune, India
Certifications
OCTOBER 2023 - OCTOBER 2026
ISAC Certified Cyber Crime Intervention Officer (CCIO)
Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC)
DECEMBER 2017 - PRESENT
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
(ISC)2
NOVEMBER 2017 - PRESENT
Internet Crime Investigation
Asian School of Cyber Laws
SEPTEMBER 2010 - SEPTEMBER 2013
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
EC-Council
JULY 2008 - JULY 2011
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
Red Hat
Skills
Tools
VPN, Jira
Industry Expertise
Cybersecurity
Languages
Bash Script
Platforms
Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Paradigms
DevSecOps, Penetration Testing
Storage
Azure Active Directory
Other
Endpoint Security, GRC, Risk Management, Linux Administration, Cross-functional Collaboration, ISO 27001, Security, CISSP, IT Security, Compliance, Information Security, Operating Systems, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Third-party Management, Data Privacy, SIEM, People Management, Software Development, Security Architecture, Network Security, Identity & Access Management (IAM), Cloud Security, Third-party Risk, Risk Assessment, CISO, Networking, SOC 2, Security Operations Centers (SOC), Business Continuity, Security Testing, Application Security, SELinux, Firewalls, Antivirus Software, Email Security, Cyberpsychology
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