Brijesh Datta, Executive Vice President and CISO, Jio Platforms Ltd, on his leap from the army to corporate leadership—challenges, wins, and the power of hands-on expertise and lifelong learning.
Executive Vice President and CISO
Jio Platforms Ltd
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Brijesh Datta’s journey is one of curiosity, adaptability, and resilience. It all began when he stumbled upon a hacker magazine during his IIT Delhi days—an encounter that ignited a lifelong passion for cybersecurity. From leading the Indian Army’s first cyber ops team to navigating the corporate world as a CISO, Datta has always believed in learning by doing. His transition from military to corporate cybersecurity isn’t just about strategy; it’s about embracing change, staying hands-on, and building digital resilience in an ever-evolving landscape.
CSO Forum recently had the opportunity to delve into his journey and the person behind the professional. Excerpts from the conversation:
CSO Forum: What has been the most defining moment of your career so far, and why?
Brijesh Datta: The defining moment in my career was transitioning into cybersecurity. I first encountered the term during my master’s at IIT Delhi. At that time, cybersecurity wasn’t even a recognized field in India—there were no hacking incidents in India in the 1990’s. I remember picking up my first PHRACK magazine, a paperback filled with high-tech articles purely for tech enthusiasts out to break system internals.
Later I started reading up even more and experimenting hands-on. Given the rapid proliferation of systems and networks in the armed forces, I realized cybersecurity would become critical. I drew a parallel to the physical world: just as homes and factories need security, defence networks would inevitably require protection. That realization led me to write my first paper on the future of cyber operations in the military—both offensive and defensive.
Soon after, I was selected to lead the army’s cyber security team and tasked with building a team from scratch. That moment, in the year 2000, was when my career trajectory changed. There was no looking back after that.
Thereafter I spent another decade in the army, followed by stints at Airtel and Samsung, and for nearly ten years now, I’ve been leading cybersecurity at Jio. But that first leap into cybersecurity, leading the army’s cybersecurity team, remains the most defining moment of my career.
CSO Forum: If you could revisit one decision in your life and change it, what would it be?
Brijesh Datta: I have no regrets on the professional front. However, on a personal level, I do regret injuring my knees—twice—first while playing basketball, then again in squash. As a result of these surgeries, I can’t play any high impact games anymore or go for a run.
If I could change one thing, I would have taken better care of my health..
CSO Forum: Who has been the most influential figure in your life, and what key lessons did you learn from them?
Brijesh Datta: My father. He came from a rural background and rose to become a Colonel in the Indian Army—a remarkable achievement. His intelligence and hands-on attitude were his greatest strengths, and I learnt that mindset from him.
In the corporate world, we often hear about being an “individual performer.” That’s exactly what my father embodied—someone who took ownership, got things done, and led by example. Watching him rise through the ranks and achieve so much had a profound impact on me. Though he passed away five years ago, his lessons continue to guide me every day.
CSO Forum: Which personal habit or mindset has contributed most to your success in the tech world?
Brijesh Datta: Two things—continuous learning and execution.
I study for at least two to three hours every day, more on weekends. This has been my routine for nearly three decades. Back in the day, there were no online resources like today—you had to buy books or go to a library. Now, knowledge is instantly accessible, but the principle remains the same: self-study is the key to do justice in any profession.
The second is execution. Many brilliant people excel at research and experimentation but struggle to bring ideas to life. I’ve always focused on execution—seeing things through to their final outcome.
CSO Forum: How do you handle failure and self-doubt, and what strategies help you bounce back?
Brijesh Datta: Like I said before, very early in my career I suffered a serious knee injury playing basketball, leading to a permanent medical downgrade in the army. At the time, it was quite devastating for me as it had a direct impact on my future promotion prospects in the Army.
Instead of dwelling on the setback, I chose to pivot. I shifted my focus from operational roles to the technical side of the army. That decision led me to pursue my master’s degree and eventually work in cyber operations.
Failures are inevitable. What matters is how quickly you shift your focus from what went wrong to what’s next. I think the philosophy of always looking ahead—and never dwelling on failures—has worked well for me.
CSO Forum: If you could impart one lesson to the next generation of tech leaders, what would it be?
Brijesh Datta: Be a strong individual performer before becoming a manager.
Too often, people aspire to leadership roles without mastering their craft. Before you can lead, you must know your domain inside and out. This means constantly learning, being hands-on, and proving yourself as an execution expert.
When I hire for management positions, the first thing I assess is whether the candidate is a strong individual performer. Leadership isn’t just about delegation—it’s about firsthand expertise and the ability to guide others effectively.
CSO Forum: How do you measure personal growth and success?
Brijesh Datta: My definition of success has evolved over time. In the early years, career growth was the priority. Today, in my mid-50s, my focus is on two things: happiness and good health.
If you notice, when elders wish you well, they don’t say, “I hope you become a CEO.” They say, “I hope you are happy and healthy.” That’s because, in the end, these are the only things that truly matter.
CSO Forum: What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken that changed your career trajectory?
Brijesh Datta: Leaving the army in 2010 to join the corporate world.
I was a full Colonel, commanding a regiment, with a promising career ahead. But for personal reasons, I decided to leave. At the time, I had no idea the job market was struggling post the 2008–09 financial crisis. It was a huge risk—but luckily it paid off.
Today, I look back and see that taking that leap was a very good decision. It led me to where I am today.
CSO Forum: How do you unwind after a demanding week?
Brijesh Datta: Golf. It’s my passion!
I play once a week, and then spend a large part of my weekend “chilling”, as my son says, with my family. That’s how I recharge.
CSO Forum: As the CISO role evolves, what emerging skills will be essential by 2025?
Brijesh Datta: The future is about data and AI.
Cybersecurity professionals must develop a deep understanding of data engineering, analytics and AI/ML technologies. Large language models and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions will shape the industry, and CISOs must quickly adapt to these changes.
