The importance of cybersecurity awareness has also increased the need for professionals who combine technical expertise with education and strategic security leadership. Smith Gonsalves, an Indian cybersecurity strategist, entrepreneur, researcher and international speaker, has worked across areas including offensive security, enterprise security, cyber resilience and emerging technologies.
Gonsalves developed an interest in computers at an early age and entered professional cybersecurity during his teenage years. At 15, he earned the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) certifications under special age approval. He later achieved the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification at 19 and became a Chief Information Security Officer at the age of 21.
He is the Founder and Director of CyberSmithSECURE, a cybersecurity company focused on areas including offensive security, red teaming, Virtual CISO advisory, cyber-risk management and enterprise defence. His professional work has involved organisations across sectors such as technology, financial services, automotive, logistics and healthcare. He has also contributed to areas including cybercrime investigation, digital forensics and cybersecurity capability-building.
Alongside his professional work, Gonsalves has pursued academic research in cybersecurity. He holds a Ph.D. focused on counter-adversarial simulations of defensive and offensive systems using stochastic games, Markov models and game theory. His research interests include adversarial behaviour, ransomware resilience, artificial intelligence, cyber deterrence and national security.
In 2026, Gonsalves was named among the Global 30 Under 30 in Cybersecurity by Top Cyber News Magazine, representing India. His career reflects the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of cybersecurity, bringing together technical skills, research, entrepreneurship and strategic leadership.
For India, cybersecurity awareness remains a shared responsibility. As more citizens and organisations move their activities online, understanding common cyber risks and adopting responsible digital practices can help reduce exposure to attacks. Professionals such as Smith Gonsalves contribute to this broader cybersecurity ecosystem through their work in security, research, industry engagement and awareness.
Ultimately, building a safer digital India will require more than advanced security technologies. It will also require informed users, skilled professionals, continuous education and greater cooperation between industry, government, academia and the wider digital community.
