Uplabdhi Singh

Uplabdhi Singh: Implementing a Systematic Approach to Threat Evaluation and Risk Control

Born and raised in the historic town of Alwar, Rajasthan, Uplabdhi Singh discovered her passion for music at the age of six, training in Indian Classical and Plectrum Guitar. While her journey began in the world of melodies, it was the intricate rhythms of cybersecurity that ultimately shaped her career. Today, as an Application Security Specialist at Revvity Signals, she applies the same discipline and precision from her musical roots to the ever-evolving landscape of product security.

With a deep understanding of security design and implementation reviews, Uplabdhi is committed to embedding Secure by Design principles into every phase of product development. She plays a pivotal role in driving automation within security processes, reducing manual efforts, and ensuring that security is not an afterthought but an integral part of a product’s lifecycle. By proactively integrating security from the development phase, she strengthens the overall security posture, mitigating risks before they become vulnerabilities.

Her expertise spans Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management, Code Review, and Penetration Testing, with a focus on building a Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC). She ensures compliance with industry standards while seamlessly collaborating with developers to embed security without compromising product functionality.

She is committed to safeguarding software applications against threats and vulnerabilities, ensuring the creation of secure and resilient digital environments. Her approach includes implementing shift-left security, which integrates security measures early in the development process, as well as adopting the Zero Trust Model for strict authentication.

Beyond technical implementation, Uplabdhi is dedicated to transforming security from a standalone function into a deeply embedded culture within organizations—one that fosters awareness, accountability, and resilience against evolving cyber threats.

The Role of Ethical Hacking in Cybersecurity Education

In 2014, Uplabdhi’s initial perception of cybersecurity, like many, was linked to “hacking.” However, instead of being deterred, she was fascinated by the challenge of uncovering and addressing vulnerabilities. With a passion for mathematics, particularly algebra and calculus, she saw parallels between solving complex equations and the challenges in cybersecurity.

This curiosity led her to pursue a degree in Computer Science With a specialisation in Cyber Security & Forensics at UPES, Dehradun, after securing a spot in the top 1 percentile of her state’s 12th-grade results and receiving the prestigious Inspire scholarship. Uplabdhi’s journey truly began during a transformative workshop with Mr. Mahesh Rakheja, where she was introduced to ethical hacking.

This enhanced her enthusiasm, and her subsequent summer training program in Nagpur revealed the critical importance of cybersecurity. It was here that she recognised how one security breach could jeopardise lives, organisations, and systems, solidifying her passion for the field.

During her second year of graduation, Uplabdhi was introduced to cybersecurity, blending theory with practical application. A training program by the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, connected her with top cybersecurity experts and sparked her interest in mobile security, leading her to learn Android app development.

At Jio Information Security, she applied her skills to securing mobile applications, gaining valuable experience. She views challenges as life’s greatest teachers, shaping her journey and fuelling her commitment to continuous learning. Anchored by faith in God, she believes resilience and persistence open unexpected doors, reinforcing her determination to evolve in the cybersecurity domain.

Collaborating with Developers for Effective Security

Uplabdhi stays motivated in the cybersecurity field by setting short-term goals. She believes long-term goals can become outdated in such a dynamic environment, so aligning her goals with current trends helps keep her efforts relevant. In combative security, Uplabdhi views her work as solving a puzzle, identifying vulnerabilities piece by piece.

However, she emphasises that true security is achieved only when these vulnerabilities are effectively addressed in collaboration with developers. Accountability is key to her approach—security is not complete until the fixes are correct and comprehensive.

Uplabdhi also focuses on developing defensive strategies to strengthen product security. Each milestone fuels her passion for learning, problem-solving, and continuously improving, helping her stay adaptable and motivated in the face of new challenges.

The Impact of Mentorship on Career Achievements

Every recognition Uplabdhi has received holds its significance and grace in her journey. Being awarded the title of Emerging Leader by Jio Platforms – Information Security was particularly special, as it validated her efforts and contributions during the early stages of her career. It also provided her with the confidence to take on critical responsibilities with a stronger sense of ownership.

However, being featured in HRAI’s 30 Under 30 felt like an honour that extended beyond Uplabdhi herself—it was a tribute to the mentors, colleagues, and the organisation that have supported and shaped her journey.

For Uplabdhi, the most meaningful moments are not defined by the recognition itself, but by the days when she pushed herself to grow, learn, and achieve more. She views recognition as the natural outcome of dedication but believes that the true essence lies in the progress made and the journey embraced along the way.

Driving Innovation through Integrated Security Practices

Uplabdhi believes communication and collaboration are key to integrating cybersecurity into the Secure Software Development Life Cycle (SSDLC). She acknowledges the challenge of bridging the gap between security and product teams, who often operate with different mindsets.

For her, implementing security goes beyond technical requirements; it’s a cultural shift. Security is often seen as a cost until a risk materialises, so she focuses on clearly communicating the potential impact of vulnerabilities. By simplifying complex security issues into actionable insights, she develops understanding among both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Through continuous education and open dialogue, Uplabdhi helps teams embrace security as a shared responsibility, making it a natural part of product development. Her goal is to empower teams with the awareness and tools to seamlessly embed security into their workflows, driving innovation and resilience within the SSDLC.

Building Integrity in Leadership and Security Management

For Uplabdhi, leadership was first taught by her mother, Dr. Madhu Sharma, a professor of chemistry at G.D. College, Alwar, Rajasthan, who not only shaped her academic journey but also guided her through life. Her mother, balancing family, career, and personal growth with grace, taught Uplabdhi that leadership extends beyond the boardroom—it’s about managing life itself.

Witnessing her mother’s ability to juggle responsibilities effortlessly, Uplabdhi learnt that time is a resource, and mastering it leads to success. Perhaps the most valuable lesson was the importance of continuous learning, where wisdom could come from anyone, regardless of their position. This mindset has been fundamental to her personal growth.

In the corporate world, her approach to security management was shaped by Mr. Ravi Burlagadda, Senior Vice President – Information Security at Jio Platforms Ltd, her first mentor. He emphasised that true leadership is not about authority but about inspiring others and creating lasting impact.

Under his mentorship, Uplabdhi learnt that security is not just about technology but also ethics, values, and vision. He taught her that the strongest security framework is built on integrity and responsibility.

She believes that some of life’s greatest lessons are learned by observing those who lead by example and is deeply grateful to her parents for shaping her career and character.

Setting Achievable Milestones in Cybersecurity Learning

In today’s cybersecurity environment, Uplabdhi acknowledges the challenge of staying updated with the latest tools, technologies, and vulnerabilities. However, she believes that having a well-defined focus area is crucial for effectively navigating this rapid pace. While mastering everything at once is not feasible, she understands that prioritising key domains and continuously refining her expertise enables meaningful progress.

Driven by curiosity and a constant pursuit of knowledge, she has always found that a monotonous approach to learning does not resonate with her. Instead, she sets her targets—short-term, achievable milestones that keep her engaged and motivated. These incremental wins not only build momentum but also provide a sense of accomplishment when she reflects on how far she has come.

Rather than following trends superficially, Uplabdhi prefers to understand concepts at their core. She firmly believes that strong fundamentals are essential for tackling complex challenges in cybersecurity. This mindset ensures that she can not only keep up with emerging threats and technologies but also stay ahead by proactively understanding and adapting to new challenges with confidence.

Strategies for Strengthening Security through Teamwork

One of the key principles Uplabdhi follows is the ability to see things from multiple perspectives. While she is naturally aware of her viewpoint, she always tries to step into the shoes of others—whether they are developers, product managers, or business leaders.

As a security professional, she recognises that it is easy to become excited about discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities. However, she believes that true impact comes from understanding the broader implications of security issues.

For instance, Uplabdhi understands that if she were a product manager, her primary concern wouldn’t just be the existence of a vulnerability but the potential risk it introduces, the urgency of mitigation, and the broader business impact.

She emphasises that security isn’t just about breaking systems; it’s about strengthening them. This is why she believes that a security professional’s responsibility doesn’t end in finding vulnerabilities—it truly begins when they collaborate on sustainable, end-to-end fixes.

Uplabdhi instills this mindset in her team by encouraging accountability, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring that security is viewed not as an obstacle but as an enabler of innovation and resilience.

Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Cybersecurity Teams

In cybersecurity, Uplabdhi believes that continuous learning isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. With a quick change in the tech environment, maintaining a mindset of constant growth is essential. As a mentor, she develops this culture by encouraging curiosity and promoting active knowledge sharing.

Uplabdhi motivates her team to explore new vulnerabilities, stay updated with groundbreaking research like Google Project Zero, and participate in internal Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges or discussions on real-world security incidents—effectively bridging the gap between theory and practical expertise.

On a personal level, she has never viewed learning as a burden. Instead, she has ingrained it as a natural part of her journey, allowing it to become second nature. She believes that learning should always be seen as an opportunity for growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Women Leading the Charge in Tech

In the early 2000s, women’s presence in tech and cybersecurity was limited, but today, Uplabdhi believes women are leading the charge for change. The growth of businesses and multinational companies has not only opened opportunities but also shifted societal perceptions, proving that leadership has no gender.

Uplabdhi views women as natural leaders—skilled at balancing responsibilities, adapting to challenges, and making an impact. She actively encourages women to embrace new roles and face challenges with confidence, engaging with communities like Women in Tech India, Women in Cyber Security and other industry forums, driving diversity and inclusions and being featured in internal magazines like World of Women @ Reliance (WoW) to offer support and guidance.

Her message to young women is simple: there’s no “right” time to start; the right time is now. With the digital era making learning and opportunities accessible, she urges women to find uplifting communities, seek inspiring mentors, and most importantly, believe in themselves. She firmly believes that women aren’t just part of the change—they are leading it.

Balancing Empathy and Analysis in Leadership

Uplabdhi sees leadership as more than corporate roles—it spans education, project management and global platforms. True leadership is about vision, adaptability, and impact, driving innovation and inspiring teams.

She champions four core principles: leading with heart and logic, balancing logic with empathy, embracing a collaborative mindset over competition, and navigating uncertainty with agility.

In cybersecurity, leadership extends beyond expertise to mentorship and driving change. Leaders who embody these values not only excel but also redefine their fields, leaving a legacy that shapes the future beyond their time in the industry.

Read Also: Leadership Stories: Inspiring Journeys of Global Icons, 2025