As a seasoned cybersecurity expert and thought leader, Ashwin Ram is widely regarded as a trusted advisor by industry titans, startups, and industry collectives due to his ability to translate technical threats into business contexts to evaluate overall risk to organizations.
As a Cybersecurity Evangelist at Check Point Software, he helps executives understand, prioritize, communicate, and address cyber risks. A sought-after keynote speaker, he speaks often at cybersecurity events. Ashwin was recently recognized by The Australian, in partnership with KPMG, as one of the Top 100 Innovators of 2023.
Ashwin, how did you get into cybersecurity?
My journey into cybersecurity began out of sheer curiosity. The more I learned about the threat landscape, the more fascinated I became. As I delved deeper and understood the vast and evolving threat landscape, my fascination only grew. This passion drove me to seek formal education and to become an active member of the cybersecurity community. Before starting at Check Point Software, I worked at a systems integrator, which gave me the opportunity to work with various security technologies and paved the way for me to land a role at Check Point.
You’ve been at Check Point for over 13 years! What keeps you at the company? 
Having been with Check Point for over 13 years, what truly keeps me anchored is the company’s exceptional security technologies. I also take immense pride in presenting our cutting-edge security research at cybersecurity conferences. In the past, I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding managers at Check Point who recognized my potential and allowed me to transition roles as I evolved and learned. I began my journey at Check Point as a Professional Services Consultant and was later given the opportunity to join the presales team when I sought to broaden my skillset. A few years after, I was invited to lead the presales team and had the responsibility of building my own team. These challenges have consistently provided avenues for my personal and professional growth. I’m now privileged to be part of the Office of the CTO. The continuous opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new roles is what has kept me at Check Point.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
A typical workday for me is multifaceted. You’ll find me engaging with cyber leaders in in-depth discussions regarding their cybersecurity strategies, identifying areas where Check Point can enhance and mature their cybersecurity capabilities. Recently, I’ve led security roundtables tailored for cyber leaders across various cities in Australia and New Zealand – something I find immensely fulfilling. As part of the Office of the CTO, I frequently represent Check Point at cybersecurity and risk conferences and liaise with the media to amplify our message and innovations.
What is your proudest work achievement? 
Among the many notable milestones, I’ve achieved at Check Point, a couple stand out prominently. First: having my insights published in The Australian newspaper remains a distinguished accolade in my professional journey. I was also recently included in The Australian’s Top 100 Innovators list, which recognizes “resilient innovators [who] are reshaping Australia’s economy and leading it into the future.”
I’ve now had the privilege of being selected to speak at ten Australian Information Security Association (AISA) cybersecurity conferences within a span of three years. This underscores the recognition and trust the industry has bestowed upon me. Thinking back, the earliest achievement that I’m rather proud of at Check Point, was the award for ‘APAC Professional Service Consultant of the Year’ back in 2012 or 2013. Being awarded the Distinguished Evangelist award in 2022 was nice too.
Can you share a story about a time you helped a customer with a tricky problem?
I remember a particularly challenging incident when a customer reached out during an upgrade, which unfortunately led to a complete network outage. I spent the entire night, providing guidance over the phone to help them rebuild their environment and successfully restore their network functionality – that was interesting and terrifying at the same time.
What would you say to someone who was considering a career in cybersecurity?
To anyone contemplating a career in cybersecurity, I’d wholeheartedly endorse the decision. It’s important however that you understand, this field is dynamic, with the threat landscape evolving at an incredible pace. So, a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability is needed. If you are seeking a career that is dynamic, cybersecurity should be on the top of your list.
You’ve written and spoken quite a bit on the topic of artificial intelligence. How is AI changing our world? And do you think it is beneficial or harmful?
I’m excited about the potential future in which AI aids the advancement of humanity. Considering the myriad of AI platforms available, each undoubtedly carries its own set of risks. While some AI systems might be detrimental, others offer substantial benefits. It’s crucial for our communities and business leaders to comprehend the risks as we adopt AI.
To learn more about working at Check Point and join Ashwin in securing the world, visit our Careers page.