The Intersection of National Defense and Cyber Resilience
Manoj Kalekar, Group Manager (GRC and VAPT) at Sequretek, is a decorated Navy veteran whose professional journey exemplifies the powerful intersection of national defense and cyber resilience. His transition from naval service to cybersecurity is defined by the application of operational excellence, discipline, integrity, and a mission-first mindset—principles that now form the foundation of his work in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). He designs, implements, and audits robust security frameworks for high-stakes and mission-critical operational environments.
He specializes in aligning organizations with key national and international standards, including ISO 27001, Indian data protection mandates, and sector-specific regulatory frameworks. Under his leadership, Sequretek achieved CERT-In empanelment, a significant milestone reflecting stringent compliance, advanced technical capability, and institutional credibility. His work has directly strengthened compliance maturity across India’s financial and digital ecosystem through the successful completion of more than 75 SEBI CSCRF audits, over 30 NPCI ASP audits, and comprehensive pan-India audits for enterprises such as Flipkart.
Manoj’s core strength lies in bridging strategic intent with on-ground execution. He brings deep, hands-on expertise in leading advanced Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) engagements for critical infrastructure and high-value digital assets. In a key engagement, his leadership enabled the identification and remediation of major security gaps, resulting in a reduction of critical risk exposure by over 40% within a single fiscal year—demonstrating that governance frameworks, when effectively executed, deliver measurable and sustainable cyber resilience.
Over the course of his career, he has spearheaded more than 300 comprehensive GRC audits across diverse sectors. These include financial and regulatory audits for SEBI, NPCI, RBI, NABARD, and IRDAI; national infrastructure assessments for UIDAI (AUA/KUA), SAR audits, and Western Naval Command–level evaluations; and large-scale enterprise and logistics audits across India. His technical depth spans network-based audits, API and mobile (iOS/Android) security assessments, red teaming, and thick and thin client evaluations.
A CISA-certified professional and ISO Lead Auditor, Manoj holds an MBA and a Diploma in Wireless Telecommunications. Beyond his professional credentials, he is a lifelong learner whose discipline extends into his personal pursuits as a marathon runner, biker, and blogger, reflecting a balanced commitment to physical endurance, intellectual growth, and continuous improvement.
This unique synthesis of military leadership, regulatory expertise, and proven technical capability positions Manoj Kalekar as a distinguished leader in India’s cybersecurity domain, delivering battle-hardened cyber resilience essential to safeguarding the nation’s digital economy and critical infrastructure.
