Ramanjaneya Reddy Pondugula LinkedIn
P: 484-***-**** *************************@*****.***
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Information Technology, Belhaven University, Jackson, MS
(3.89/4.0 GPA) 08/2023 to 05/2025
Bachelor of Science in Electronics & Communication Engineering. Satyabhama University 06/2016 to 05/2020
Dynamic and results-driven Cybersecurity Professional with 3+ years of hands-on experience in network security, threat analysis, and identity access management. Proven expertise in implementing robust security architectures, conducting vulnerability assessments, and managing enterprise-grade tools such as LogRhythm, Palo Alto, Proofpoint, and Symantec EDR. Adept at optimizing SIEM alerts, mitigating phishing threats, and enforcing compliance with standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, lead incident response, and mentor junior analysts. Strong academic foundation with an M.S. in Information Technology and a keen interest in advancing AI-powered security solutions. WORK EXPERIENCE
Connate Software Solutions Hyderabad, India.
Network Security Engineer 12/2022 to 08/2023
• Designed and implemented secure network architectures using firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs to protect critical data and applications.
• Conducted comprehensive security assessments and penetration tests on both network infrastructure and web applications to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
• Implemented robust encryption protocols and access control measures to safeguard data transmission and storage in both network and application environments.
• Configured and maintained WAFs to defend against common application-layer attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
• Established and enforced security policies and procedures in line with regulatory standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001) for both network and application layers.
Accenture Pvt Ltd. Hyderabad, India.
Cyber Security Analyst 03/2021 to 11/2022
• Monitored and analyzed security alerts using LogRhythm SIEM, ensuring quick identification and mitigation of threats.
• Fine-tuned LogRhythm SIEM alerts to optimize security response and minimize false positives.
• Conducted phishing email analysis and response, mitigating threats using Proofpoint TAP and TRAP.
• Managed and protected endpoints utilizing Symantec Endpoint Protection and Symantec EDR.
• Monitored and controlled privileged access management through DRA, AWS/Azure, and Ping ID.
• Analyzed internet traffic across the organization using Bluecoat Proxy, ensuring adherence to security policies.
• Administered firewall IDS and IPS policies on Palo Alto to safeguard against external threats.
• Engaged in threat intelligence activities using iDefense IntelGraph, identifying and mitigating security risks.
• Conducted detailed security incident analysis, ensuring proper documentation and resolution of threats.
• Created weekly and monthly security reports and dashboards, presenting them to clients for review.
• Provided knowledge transfer and training to new team members, facilitating their onboarding process.
• Took ownership of project activities in the absence of leads, ensuring smooth security operations.
Connate Software Solutions Hyderabad, India.
IAM Security Engineer 05/2020 to 02/2021
• Managed end-to-end processes for user access across multiple systems, ensuring compliance with security policies and regulatory standards.
• Created and revoked access for the new users in DRA, provided access in AWS and Azure console.
• Maintained detailed documentation on IAM processes, system changes, and audit findings to support internal and external reviews. SKILLS
• SIEM Tools: LogRhythm, Splunk, IBM QRadar,
• Email Security: Proofpoint TAP & TRAP, Phishing Analysis & Mitigation
• Endpoint Security: Symantec Endpoint Protection, Symantec EDR
• Threat Intelligence & Hunting: iDefense IntelGraph, Active Threat Monitoring & Mitigation
• Network Security: Bluecoat Proxy (Internet Traffic Monitoring), Palo Alto (Firewall IDS/IPS Management), Wireshark, Snort, Nessus, Cisco ASA, and Zscaler.
• Privilege Access Management: DRA, AWS/Azure, Ping ID. Certifications
• CompTIA Security+
• AWS Certified Security
• Microsoft Azure-900
UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
Facial Expression Detection By using Machine Learning.
• Developed a deep learning model to classify facial expressions (happy, sad, angry, neutral, etc.) using Jupyter Notebook in Anaconda.
• Implemented OpenCV and Dlib for real-time face detection and alignment, enhancing recognition accuracy.
• Tuned hyperparameters such as batch size, learning rate, and dropout rate, achieving 93% accuracy on the test dataset.
• Deployed the trained model using, AWS/GCP enabling real-time facial expression analysis.
• Applied Grad-CAM (Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping) to visualize which facial regions the model focuses on for classification.
• Resolved challenges related to lighting variations, occlusions, and imbalanced datasets using advanced preprocessing techniques.