With our growing dependence on the internet, strong online security is essential. In 2024, cybercrime cost the world an astonishing $9.2 trillion, with businesses suffering more than a thousand attacks every year. Small businesses and individuals risk potential losses of $4.45 million per attack. With our growing online presence by banking, shopping, and social networking, we are increasingly exposed to bad actors taking advantage of vulnerabilities in security to pilfer data. The more than 2,300 cyberattacks on 343 million individuals in 2023 highlight the pressing necessity of robust cybersecurity for all. In the midst of this, Security Software Engineer and researcher Sanat Talwar is creating solutions and findings to equip communities and increase digital security.
Born and raised in India, this engineer saw firsthand technology's power to empower and exploit, particularly for marginalized communities. This inspired his vision to create security technologies to serve all. Security is about user trust, not code, according to him. His greatest contributions are automation technologies, including a Just-In-Time system for permissions, and pioneering research in DNS cache snooping, subdomain risk scoring, and cloud-native security, which greatly improved organizational and community security.
The world of cybersecurity is plagued with a multitude of threats. Excessive user privileges can result in enormous security issues. Incorrect DNS configurations and lost website components can easily be targeted. Obsolete methods of testing security and operating systems are sluggish and contain errors. Online games face threats like deceptive DNS methods that can steal player information. Small businesses are also vulnerable to website takeovers that can force them to shut down. Ordinary security mechanisms fail against the sizable online systems of today. This engineer identified these problems and developed simpler security solutions user-centered.
Sanat Talwar's innovation included a Just-In-Time (JIT) permissions management tool developed using Python (Flask), React, and AWS Lambda. This system grants and removes dynamically access to mission-critical infrastructure, reducing existing privileges by 70% in pilot environments. Before this new system, always-on permissions created a major security risk, leaving systems wide open to attacks. His solution provided safe, transient access, lowering the attack surface and simplifying compliance requirements. “I kept thinking about the time we were losing to manual controls,” he says. “Why not let technology lock the doors automatically?” The result? A scalable solution that protects sensitive systems while empowering teams to focus on innovation.
Another breakthrough was his Flask API to automate camera onboarding into video management systems. Previously, this was a tedious, human error-prone process that overwhelmed security teams. With Python, he designed a tool that saved hundreds of hours of effort, ensuring cameras were easily integrated. The effect was instantaneous: secure surveillance enhanced public safety, from urban buildings to rural locations where security is a lifeline. In the same vein, his offline camera alert system, designed using C# and Python, provided real-time alerts, enhancing uptime and visibility. Security teams could respond swiftly, minimizing risks to communities.
Penetration testing was another arena where he excelled. By rigorously testing physical security applications, he uncovered vulnerabilities before they could be exploited, fortifying defenses. His proactive approach set a new benchmark, ensuring systems were ready for real-world threats. These efforts weren’t just technical wins, they translated to peace of mind for communities relying on secure infrastructure.
The human impact of these technologies is significant. Consider a US small business owner, her online shop vulnerable to a subdomain hijack. By embracing security practices informed by the engineer's DNS research, she secured her domain, safeguarding her earnings and customer trust. Or consider a Philippine gaming community, where gamers have uninterrupted experiences, untainted by data leaks caused by DNS exploits. His tools, including the JIT permissions system, have safeguarded over 1 million web interactions, shielding communities from breaches that could upend lives.
“Security isn’t just about systems, it’s about unlocking opportunities for people,” he says, capturing the heart of his mission.
Sanat Talwar’s contributions extend beyond tools. He automated security audits, improving compliance by 10%. Manual audits were tedious and uneven, but his remedy provided quicker, more precise checks, allowing teams to concentrate on strategy. He also set camera configuration standards, which were linked to Jira using C# scripts, maintaining consistency between systems. These saved time and money, allowing organizations to focus on growth while retaining strong security.
Through mentoring junior engineers and advocating secure coding practices, he promoted a culture of active security, motivating teams to create robust systems.
What made him unique is his combination of technical acumen and human understanding. Where others in his role were concentrated on mundane tasks, he confronted inefficiencies head-on, developing tailored solutions such as the JIT permissions tool and automated auditing platforms. His Python, C#, and cloud security skillset combined with a vision for scalable defense set him apart. His manager commented on his knack for turning vulnerabilities into strengths, a humble but strong compliment to his work.
Sanat alwar's work expands this impact. A 2023 International Journal of Applied Engineering & Technology paper, co-written with a fellow researcher, presented the SECAUTO toolkit, employing Ansible for security automation. Cited extensively on ResearchGate, it assists organizations in automating compliance. A 2025 Computer Fraud and Security study on DNS tunneling within multiplayer games provided detection techniques, safeguarding player privacy. Another 2025 paper delved into dynamic Just-In-Time app servers on AWS, influencing cloud security best practices. His 2022 research on cloud-native DNS configuration security addressed exposed S3-associated subdomains, and his 2025 paper on DNS cache snooping and subdomain risk scoring presented detection methods now employed in enterprise scans.
A 2025 conference presentation at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning further established his leadership of thought. These advancements echo around the world. His tools and practices, such as the JIT permissions system, have been implemented across sectors like healthcare and finance, protecting sensitive information. A report by Accenture in 2022 puts inclusive security practices at unlocking $13 trillion in economic value by enabling users, and this engineer's work is all about that vision. Rural entrepreneurs are now on par with competition in global markets, while gamers play without worries of data loss. His work, referenced in security studies, has informed practices that emphasize accessibility and trust.
The company he worked for, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment, is known for innovation, receiving BAFTA Game Awards and DICE Awards. Its dedication to cybersecurity, supported by the engineer's work such as the JIT permissions system, secures millions of users. His solutions meshed perfectly with this goal, increasing the reputation of the company for secure, innovative technology. Industry conversation now refers to his automation tools as an example of forward-thinking security, pushing other companies to change their tactics.
Now, as threats in cyberspace continue to change, he's fighting new battles, but his legacy remains: 40% more efficient vulnerability detection, 70% fewer standing privileges, 10% improved compliance, and communities empowered to succeed. His efforts didn't just benefit his organization. It demonstrated to the world what can be achieved when security is designed with people in mind.
Through the combination of technical accuracy with a love for effect, he's demonstrating that cybersecurity, when used with compassion, can change lives, one safe transaction at a time.