SOC Transformation · Cortex XSIAM · Singapore

Abhinandan Handa CISSP

SOC transformation and Cortex domain expert, architecting AI-driven security operations across JAPAC.

Indian-Australian · Based in Singapore

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Portrait of Abhinandan Handa
18+Years of cyber domain expertise
South AsiaIndia, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
ASEANSoutheast Asian markets, from a Singapore base
ANZAustralia and New Zealand

About

Turning security architecture into business outcomes

With 18+ years of cyber domain expertise, I architect and implement next-generation SIEM, SOAR, XDR, ASM and XSIAM solutions for enterprise customers across JAPAC, spanning three regions: South Asia, ASEAN and ANZ.

Today I'm a Senior Domain Consultant for Cortex at Palo Alto Networks, focused on BFSI, telco, MSSP and public sector customers.

I spend a lot of time on the questions shaping the next SOC: where security data should live, how AI agents earn the trust to act, and who owns the decision loop between detection and response.

India → Singapore → Australia → Singapore

XSIAM pioneer

Early hands-on leader of complex Cortex XSIAM deployments in the region.

Cross-cultural expertise

Worked with customers and partners across South Asia, ASEAN and ANZ.

Technical-to-business translation

Consistently converts complex security architectures into compelling business outcomes.

Perspectives

How I think about the modern SOC

Essay · 6 min read · September 2026

The lake is not the SOC

Purpose-built SecOps platforms with a unified security data lake vs the generic organisation-wide data lake, and why the real question is who owns the security decision loop.

Read →

Speaking & Media

Webinars and bootcamps

SOC transformationCortex XSIAMAI-driven security operationsSIEM modernisationSecurity automation

Webinar · 2026 · On demand

Elevate Your SOC: Scaling Automation and AI for the Modern Threat Landscape

How Cortex XSIAM tackles alert overload, disconnected tools and outdated SOC architectures, using AI-driven automation and unified visibility to speed up detection and response.

Palo Alto Networks · Speaker

Watch on demand ↗

Live bootcamp · Nov 2025

Hands-on Investigations: Ransomware Edition

A one-hour, hands-on Cortex XDR crash course: respond to a simulated ransomware attack, identify victims, collect endpoint and network forensics and check threat intelligence.

Palo Alto Networks Cortex Bootcamp · JAPAC · 26 Nov 2025 · Instructor

Event page ↗

Career

Experience

  1. Senior Domain Consultant, Cortex

    Aug 2023 – Present

    Palo Alto Networks · Singapore · BFSI, Telco, MSSPs, Public Sector

    • Spearheaded strategic XSIAM implementations for enterprise customers across JAPAC.
    • Architected SOC consolidation strategies unifying XDR, SOAR and SIEM to cut mean time to respond.
    • Designed data centralisation solutions via XSIAM Command Center for real-time decision-making.
    • Led technical validation (PoV) programs across BFSI, telco, MSSP and public sector customers.

  2. Channel Systems Engineer, Cortex (A&NZ)

    Jul 2021 – Jul 2023

    Palo Alto Networks · Melbourne, Australia

    • Enabled channel partners to build a Cortex practice and pipeline across the region.
    • Developed strategic enablement programs for SOC transformation and automation.
    • Ran partner PoCs that led to new managed-security solution launches.
    • Positioned Cortex XDR and XSOAR for managed security services.

  3. Regional Practice Manager, Cyber Security & Risk

    Nov 2020 – May 2021

    Wipro · Melbourne, Australia

    • Drove cybersecurity business growth across JAPAC with next-gen security solutions.
    • Trusted advisor translating technical requirements into strategic roadmaps.

  4. Lead Engagement Consultant

    Nov 2019 – Nov 2020

    Micro Focus · Melbourne, Australia

    • Led pre-sales engagements designing holistic multi-vendor security architectures.
    • Developed customer journey maps aligning security investments with transformation.

  5. Senior Client Technical Specialist, ASEAN

    Nov 2017 – Nov 2019

    IBM Security · Singapore

    • Technical lead for Cognitive Analytics & Incident Response across JAPAC.
    • Architected enterprise SIEM for financial services and government sectors.

  6. Senior Technical Sales Specialist, Asia Pacific

    Mar 2012 – Nov 2017

    IBM Security · India

    • Pre-sales technical leadership across JAPAC with consistent quota attainment.

  7. SOC Team Lead, Network Security

    Jul 2009 – Jan 2012

    Tata Consultancy Services · India

    • Led SOC operations for enterprise security across global customers.
    • Built SOC processes and procedures for 24x7 monitoring and incident response.

Arsenal

Skills

Cortex portfolio

XSIAMCortex XDRCortex XSOARCortex XpanseIBM QRadar

SOC & SecOps

SIEM/SOAR architectureAI-driven analyticsIncident responseExposure managementSOC optimisation

Technical stack

PythonPowerShellREST APIsAWSAzureGCP

SIEM platforms

QRadarSplunkMicrosoft SentinelXSIAM

Network security

Next-gen firewallsIPS / IDSWAF

AI / ML

LLMsNotebookLMAI security analyticsThreat detection

Credentials

Certifications & education

CISSPCertified Information Systems Security Professional
IBM QRadarCertified Associate, Security QRadar V7.0 MR4
CCNACisco Certified Network Associate
CEHEC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker
ACWSAAirTight Wireless Security Administrator
ITIL V3Foundation Certification
BCAIndraprastha University, Delhi, 2008

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Contact

Let's secure something together

Whether it's SOC transformation, XSIAM deployment, AI-driven security or a speaking invitation, I'm always open to a conversation.

Send a message → Connect on LinkedIn ↗
cyberexpert@abhihanda.comcyberexpert.abhihanda.comIndian-Australian · Based in Singapore