Meeting federal cybersecurity standards while ensuring smooth operation is no small feat. However, Ishita Thanki, a highly experienced engineer and technical manager, has found the perfect blend of innovation and efficiency.
“I’m driven by a desire to solve problems and help people,” Thanki shares. Her groundbreaking work in developing generative AI-powered dashboards has streamlined compliance management and set a new industry benchmark.
For Thanki, the ever-evolving nature of technology fuels her curiosity and motivates her to push boundaries, whether it’s enhancing user experiences, securing systems, or mentoring others.
Thanki’s problem-solving mindset has been evident throughout her six-year tenure at Cisco, where she held various roles and leveraged AI to tackle complex challenges.
William Ochs, who leads Cloud Compliance for Cisco in Europe, speaks highly of Thanki’s abilities.
He describes her as a proactive leader who never backs down on challenges: “Thanki is an exceptional leader who takes charge of every project enthusiastically.
“She quickly learns the details and delivers outstanding results,” recalls Ochs. He also notes that she is a trusted partner who consistently delivers excellent results.
From Childhood Curiosity to Cybersecurity Excellence: The Journey of Ishita Thanki
Thanki’s love for technology took root during her childhood years: “ I was always fascinated by technical components like resistors, capacitors, and Ethernet cables,” she shares, recalling her early passion for technology.
“I was the kid wrapping Ethernet wires while others were playing with Lego.”
Growing up in a family with global roots and a father involved in automobile engineering, Thanki was surrounded by technical discussions that nurtured her curiosity and problem-solving skills.
This curiosity guided Ishita’s academic journey, which led to her obtaining a Master’s degree in Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at California State University, East Bay.
On top of her impressive educational background, this highly regarded engineer holds many certifications in program management and technology. She is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), a SAFe 4.0 Certified Agilist, and certified in Generative AI for Business Leaders.
Beyond Thanki’s credentials, her dedication to excellence is evidenced by her achievements and accolades. In 2024, Ishita was part of two teams that received the Cisco Pinnacle Awards, which were prestigious honors recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation and technical excellence.
As a key member of the SD-WAN team, Thanki helped secure the Market Impact Award for Catalyst SD-WAN Cloud Analytics and the Strategic Impact Award for Catalyst SD-WAN Cloud OnRamp.
These awards celebrate solutions that provide real-time insights to enhance network reliability, optimize performance, and simplify cloud application integration.
These awards highlight how Thanki can provide real-world solutions while also playing a key role in driving innovation and helping Cisco remain a leader in the industry.
Aside from her technical qualifications and unique expertise, Thanki also has strong business and interpersonal skills.
Dhruvi Tyagi, a Senior Member of Technical Staff at Salesforce, shared how Ishita’s positivity and systematic approach significantly impact the workplace.
According to Tyagi, Ishita ensures that teams stay aligned with requirements and deliverables by effectively managing scrums: “Her enthusiasm and organizational skills not only keep projects on track but also create a collaborative and enjoyable work environment.”
Today, Thanki is a highly-regarded and sought-after engineer who uses her natural curiosity and problem-solving skills to connect technical and non-technical teams effectively. This approach helps ensure that innovative solutions are well-aligned with practical, real-world requirements.
Looking back on her career and previous projects, Ishita says: “Traditional methods can be slow and lead to errors. I wanted to create solutions that save time and help organizations take a proactive approach.”
Now, she uses her superior technical and soft skills to help numerous organizations meet government compliance rules, such as those under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The Solution: Leveraging Generative AI
“One of my notable achievements was automating 80% of our security compliance processes at Cisco using Tableau,” Thanki says.
Building on this expertise, she spearheaded the development of generative AI-powered dashboards to address compliance challenges: “Generative AI allows us to go beyond static data presentation. It enables dynamic, real-time analysis and predictive modeling,” Thanki explains.
These dashboards integrate data from various sources, including security logs and incident reports, to comprehensively overview an organization’s security posture.
Using natural language processing (NLP), they generate intuitive summaries and actionable recommendations tailored to regulatory requirements.
For example, the AI-driven dashboards identified system gaps when working with a federal agency struggling with NIST 800-53 compliance. They suggested mitigation strategies: “This solution reduced compliance-related incidents by 30% within six months,” Thanki highlights.
Key Features and Benefits
The dashboards’ standout features include:
- Automated Risk Assessments: “By evaluating security controls against compliance frameworks, we can flag areas of non-compliance and quantify associated risks,” Thanki says.
- Predictive Analytics: Analyzing historical data allows the system to predict potential compliance issues. “This enables organizations to take proactive measures, reducing vulnerabilities,” she adds.
- Customizable Reporting: Users can generate reports aligned with specific regulatory requirements, saving time and ensuring accuracy. “We’ve designed these tools to make compliance accessible and efficient,” notes Thanki.
- Real-Time Alerts: The dashboards continuously monitor system activity and send alerts for anomalies or potential breaches: “This feature helps agencies stay ahead of threats that could impact compliance,” she explains.
Implementation Success Stories
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanki worked on an innovative solution for a European client using Cisco cameras: “We developed a system to detect individuals not wearing masks in public spaces,” she recounts.
“It was fulfilling to contribute to public health and safety through technology.”
Ishita also recounts another significant achievement involving her work with a retail client. The company’s payment systems had malfunctioned across 50 stores throughout the United States, threatening their operations and revenue.
Another success came from her collaboration with a retail client whose payment systems were down across 50 U.S. stores: “Our team quickly identified the root cause and implemented a solution remotely,” Thanki explains. “This fast response reduced potential financial losses for the client.”
She emphasizes that the success of this intervention extended beyond mere technical proficiency: “The key to our effective response was our ability to grasp both the urgency of the situation and its widespread impact on the client’s business.”
Ping Luo, who worked alongside Thanki at Cisco, speaks highly of her cybersecurity and risk management capabilities.
He particularly notes her knack for high-pressure citations; Luo points out that Thanki’s performance as a Scrum master was top-notch: “What stood out was Ishita’s constant drive to grow and improve, whether it was in technical areas or leadership skills.”
He adds: “Ishita has this rare combination,” Luo adds. “She’s got the deep technical know-how, but she can also easily handle tough situations.”
This blend of technical expertise and adaptability sets Thanki apart as an exceptional professional in the industry.
Driving Innovation While Guiding the Next Generation
“The tech landscape is constantly evolving, and that excites me the most,” says Thanki.
She envisions integrating machine learning algorithms into her dashboards to adapt to evolving threats and regulations: “Ensuring privacy and security in AI-driven solutions is more critical than ever,” she emphasizes.
Thanki’s commitment to mentorship further amplifies her impact: “I’ve guided interns, mentored hundreds of students during AI hackathons, and helped junior team members grow in their roles,” she says. “Seeing others succeed due to my support is incredibly rewarding.”
Hackathons attract thousands of engineers, and Thanki is an expert in her field. She has been able to judge their work and be more hands on with individual students.
At Cisco’s 2024 Hackathon, Thanki was a mentor and guide for the university and high school students interns track, which focused on AI and automation.
The event drew applicants from countries such as the USA, India, and Canada and was made up of over 520 teams and she selected 78 students to participate.
Thanki played an active role in screening and judging candidates, preparing them to excel. Reflecting on her involvement, she shares: “I want to inspire the next generation of leaders to approach challenges with curiosity and determination. Cultivating a culture of collaboration and innovation empowers us to create meaningful change.”
Industry Recognition
Thanki’s groundbreaking work has earned her accolades from peers and industry leaders. She has filed two patents—one in sustainability and another in AI—and was recently recognized by a leading cybersecurity organization for her contributions: “It’s about pushing boundaries and exploring innovative solutions to complex problems,” she reflects.
Thanki’s reputation as a cybersecurity and technical program management thought leader led to invitations to prestigious platforms. Most notably, this sought-after engineer was featured on Think Fast, Talk Smart, the award-winning podcast from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where she shared strategies for bridging technical and non-technical teams.
The podcast ranked the number one careers podcast in numerous countries, including the US, UK, and India.
In addition, her participation in the Me2We Conference further underscores her influence in fostering collaboration and innovation.
The event is a prominent gathering emphasising collaboration, innovation, and leadership across various sectors. It unites thought leaders and industry experts to share ideas, inspire action, and promote meaningful global change in organizations and communities.
Thanki has also featured as a highly regarded international contributor on the California State East Bay University website.
With a talent for engaging diverse audiences and offering valuable insights, Thanki is recognized as a trusted expert in tech and business.
Thanki is also the proud recipient of two Cisco Pinnacle Awards, which represent one of the highest honors within the company.
The accolades recognize engineering and product teams’ exceptional contributions to innovation, technical excellence, and transformative impact on Cisco’s business and the broader technology industry.
These awards celebrate the achievements of top innovators, highlighting their pivotal role in shaping the future of technology.
Winning a Cisco Pinnacle Award signifies a team’s unparalleled expertise and innovation, marking their work as among the most outstanding within Cisco. The projects honored often set new benchmarks in the tech industry, driving advancements and addressing complex challenges with groundbreaking solutions.
Thanki’s connection to such accomplishments underscores her expertise and leadership in driving impactful, forward-thinking innovation.
There is no doubt her innovative use of generative AI in federal cybersecurity sets the trend on how businesses should balance compliance and efficiency. Her dashboards simplify compliance processes while helping agencies stay ahead in cybersecurity.
“I’m not just here to do a job,” Ishita says. “I want to leave a mark. I want to be remembered for bringing innovation, boosting security, and making a real difference in the tech world.”
Thanki believes it’s clear that the landscape of regulations and cyber threats isn’t going to stay still. But with individuals with her unique skills at the helm, federal operations’ future looks more secure and compliant than ever. She’s setting the pace for how government agencies will tackle cybersecurity challenges in the future.
