Akshay Wattal — CTO
I lead Information Security at Ripple, protecting infrastructure at the frontier of blockchain and fintech solutions, where the stakes and the adversaries operate at a global scale. Over 15+ years across Ripple, Salesforce, and Walmart, I've built security programs from the ground up, secured ecosystems with hundreds of millions of users, and navigated threat landscapes most security leaders never encounter - from nation-state actors (DPRK) to organized fraud networks targeting digital asset holders. Outside of Ripple, I'm selectively involved in the startup ecosystem, advising early-stage security and fintech founders, and investing in companies building the next layer of AI security and digital asset infrastructure. Stay Humble, Stay Paranoid.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech and SaaS security leader with extensive experience in information security and risk management.
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Experience: 16 yrs
Skills
- Information Security
- Cybersecurity Strategy
- Cybersecurity
- Security Engineering
- Data Architecture
Career Highlights
- Led security for a $50B blockchain company.
- Saved 21M XRP from fraud through strategic initiatives.
- Advised and invested in cybersecurity startups.
Work Experience
Ripple
Head of Information Security & CISO Ripple Markets & SCTC (1 yr 6 mos)
Head of Security Engineering (1 yr 9 mos)
Head of Technical Program Management, Information Security (8 mos)
Technical Program Management, Information Security (11 mos)
Salesforce
Senior Manager - Security Assurance (TPM) (1 yr 5 mos)
Technical Program Manager, Product Security (1 yr 6 mos)
Walmart eCommerce
Security Lead (1 yr 11 mos)
Security Engineer (1 yr 8 mos)
Intern Information Security (11 mos)
San Jose State University
Graduate Research Assistant (4 mos)
TIBCO
Solutions Consultant (TIBCO Global Services) (1 yr 1 mo)
Associate Solutions Consultant (TIBCO Global Services) (1 yr 10 mos)
Red Hat
Software Developer Intern (1 yr 1 mo)
Education
Master's degree at San José State University
Advanced Cybersecurity at Stanford University
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) at Pune Institute of Computer Technology
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) at Savitribai Phule Pune University
at St. George's, New Delhi
