In today’s highly connected world, cybersecurity threats are changing faster than ever, making strong, smart security systems more critical. Prabesh Shakya, a top Principal Solutions Architect focusing on machine learning, is leading the way.
Known for his creative zero-trust design and forward-thinking style, Prabesh has become a key figure for global companies looking to guard their digital assets against advanced cyber threats.
“Cybersecurity is a vague word. Dealing with security in a company means securing the company’s infrastructure without compromising,” says Prabesh.
“In general, this is the right approach, but even with absolute proof of work and concepts, we still have to ensure that end users who are not technical are not burdened with overwhelming new ideas.
“We cannot change an industry overnight, it comes down to people; this is where we have to slowly roll out a plan ensuring that end users, which might be you and I, are happy, satisfied and secure.”
He adds: “It’s about finding the right solution for an organization and training the right people. In the security space, you will have to read a lot of information posted by NIST/NSA and the industry impacted by the latest threat. For example, Caesars Palace and MGM were hacked by a simple mechanism of hackers calling into support (help desk). The aftermath of getting hacked can be read online, but what does the rest of the industry learn?
“The famous line to follow is “Not if we get hacked, but when”. Every system is vulnerable. Eighty per cent of cybersecurity is based on how a company reacts to intruders stealing your valuable data in real time.
Prabesh holds multiple certifications that showcase his expertise and dedication to continuous learning. These include a Google Cybersecurity certificate and a Stanford University Machine Learning and Advanced Algorithm.
These certifications cover many topics, including asset protection, risk management, and the latest advancements in Python automation for security tasks.
These certifications provide in-depth, real-time theories on the latest threats, how the company should handle threats in real time, and how to communicate with stakeholders and the public after threat detection.
Prabesh’s journey into cybersecurity began with a passion for technology and a desire to protect critical digital infrastructures. Starting his career as a cybersecurity specialist, he quickly rose through the ranks, impressing industry leaders with his ability to design and implement secure systems for large enterprises. However, his realization of the potential of machine learning in cybersecurity truly set him apart from his peers.
Prabesh says: “I’ve long been captivated by the concept of a self-learning machine—one that continuously analyzes data, adapts its algorithms, and evolves to tackle new challenges with increasing efficiency.
“Machine learning automates the system from learning about new threats, it can isolate a system that a threat is detected faster than any humans.”
Recognizing the limitations of traditional security measures, Prabesh pioneered the integration of machine learning into cybersecurity, leveraging its power to predict, detect, and respond to threats in real time. His expertise in this area has made him a leading voice in adopting AI-driven solutions for enterprises worldwide.
Tommy Vo, a Lead Architect, has had the privilege of knowing Prabesh since 2018. Tommy worked closely with Prabesh, the lead analyst, throughout their collaboration on various projects. Their shared efforts on these engagements have allowed Tommy to witness Prabesh’s expertise and leadership in action.
“In our line of work, you can’t truly assess someone’s skills until you work together”, says Tommy.
“I saw Prabesh excel on a major project for a client in San Diego, managing evolving environments and shifting requirements with poise. His calm, methodical approach and strong client-handling skills were key to ensuring client satisfaction, especially in the final stages of the project.”
At the heart of Prabesh’s approach to cybersecurity is zero-trust architecture. In a zero-trust model, no one is automatically trusted, whether inside or outside an organization’s network. Instead, every user and device must be continuously verified to gain access to the network. This proactive, security-first model drastically reduces the risk of breaches, especially in the age of remote work and cloud computing.
“The traditional perimeter-based security model is no longer sufficient,” Prabesh explains.
“With zero trust, we’re essentially saying that no one is trusted by default. You must prove your identity and permissions at every step, whether inside or outside the network.”
Prabesh has successfully implemented zero-trust models for major financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and tech companies that demand top-notch security. One of his standout projects was rearchitecting the security infrastructure for a large global bank, moving them away from outdated systems to a zero-trust framework.
This innovative system leverages machine learning to analyze behavioral patterns and flag anomalies in real time, providing an extra layer of security.
“Financial institutions are prime targets for cyberattacks,” Prabesh notes.
“With machine learning, multiple protocols can be placed to safeguard a system. The system can then learn what is allowed and what is not allowed.
“It can detect something as simple as employees’ behavior on accessing emails, downloading a particular attachment, opening a web link. The point is how quickly can we isolate the system without it spreading.”
A consistent theme throughout Prabesh’s career is his dedication to making technology accessible and efficient, especially in API development and cloud computing. His leadership in designing end-to-end solutions, documenting technical processes, and mentoring teams has significantly impacted the organizations he has worked with. By prioritizing clarity and usability, Prabesh ensures that technology is a powerful tool for everyone, fostering innovation and collaboration in every project he undertakes.
“We’re no longer just reacting to known threats; we’re predicting vulnerability in an existing system. That’s the power of AI in cybersecurity—it allows us to stay one step ahead.”
Prabesh’s systems utilize AI tools. He enables machine learning to provide a solution by learning from patterns, evolving accordingly and giving output to security experts in the industry.
Prabesh’s expertise is theoretical and has tangible, real-world impact. Over the years, he has helped some of the world’s largest enterprises protect themselves from cyber threats.
One example of his work includes implementing zero-trust security for a major healthcare provider, where patient data must be protected at all costs. By integrating AI-driven security measures, Prabesh’s system could detect unauthorized access attempts and shut them down before any damage could be done.
“The healthcare sector in third world countries is vulnerable,” says Prabesh.
“Imagine a pharmaceutical product that has never been tested on humans which goes live in Africa and India. The data clearly shows that a drug is ineffective and does more harm than good.
Prabesh has worked extensively in telecommunication companies such as AT&T and Spectrum. He also developed a system that detects large-scale impact during hurricane seasons in Florida and wildfires in Southern California. He also worked on ethics rules for sharing data with law enforcement for criminal activities.
One of the reasons Prabesh is so highly sought after is his collaborative approach to problem-solving. He understands cybersecurity is a team effort and often involves working with multiple departments and stakeholders. Whether collaborating with IT teams, data scientists, or C-suite executives, Prabesh is known for bridging the gap between technical complexities and business needs.
“I believe that the best solutions come from collaboration,” Prabesh shared. “In cybersecurity, you need input from every part of the organization. It’s not just about locking systems down—it’s about understanding how people use them and ensuring security fits seamlessly into those processes.”
This approach has earned him the respect of his peers and clients alike. Prabesh’s ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms has made him an invaluable resource for organizations looking to transform their cybersecurity infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Prabesh is confident that integrating AI and machine learning will continue to revolutionize cybersecurity. He envisions a future where security systems are fully autonomous capable of detecting threats and neutralizing them with human intervention.
He says: “Rather than the current industry constantly fending off threats, imagine a system that gives the most accurate vulnerability report of the whole organization – daily to a CISO chief information security officer) of a company. Then, the CISO can make daily plans to deal with vulnerability before an idea becomes a threat.
“We’re moving toward a future where security systems will be fully self-sufficient,” Prabesh said. “The systems we’re building today will eventually be able to learn, adapt, and defend themselves without needing constant oversight. That’s where AI comes in—it’s the key to building brilliant security solutions.”
Prabesh’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cybersecurity has made him one of the most influential figures in the field. As he continues to innovate, his work will undoubtedly shape the future of how global enterprises protect their most valuable digital assets.
Prabesh’s role as a Principal Solution Architect and Machine Learning Engineer has cemented his reputation as a leader in the field. His mastery of zero-trust architecture and his ability to leverage machine learning for intelligent threat detection has transformed how enterprises approach cybersecurity. By building more intelligent, adaptive systems, Prabesh is protecting today’s networks and paving the way for the next generation of cybersecurity solutions.
“Security is no longer just about keeping intruders out,” Prabesh concludes. “It’s about designing systems that can protect themselves, and that’s the kind of innovation I’m committed to delivering.”
