Kush Gidda
Director, Application Security
Zynga
Kush Gidda is the Director of Application and Product Security at Zynga, a leading mobile application gaming developer within Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO), an interactive multimedia company with global revenue of $4 Billion. In this role, Kush leads all aspects of Application and Product security for Mobile application games at Zynga across Security Architecture, Offensive Security, Red Teaming and Bug Bounty.
Prior to this role, Kush had over 20 years of software engineering and security leadership roles in technology product companies, internet service providers and media companies, and through consulting. Kush holds an Engineering degree and several security certifications: CISSP, CISM and SANS GWEB.
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I've always had a passion for technology, sports and gaming and started my computing experience on the Commodore 64 by downloading code snippets from bulletin boards and magazines - and once even accidentally including malicious code! After first developing software products and investigating threats, I started to build and lead cyber security and application security teams in multiple large companies, which brought me to Zynga where I'm able to combine tech/sports/gaming into my day to day.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Bring positive change by embracing the learning mindset in all we do, and by developing the potential of our team to support the secure design of products that our customers enjoy.
With disruption being a key theme of the past year, where do you see your role as a CISO going in the next 1-2 years?
The security threat landscape is complex and evolving, and with the adoption of mobile devices, apps and cloud continue to grow rapidly. As supply chains rely on trusted platforms and technology stacks, there will be a greater awareness that designing secure products on top of those platforms is a bigger focus area for product companies.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role as a CISO?
Recognize the value proposition of the product for customers. Seek to obtain a different perspective on the current state and identify those relationships to nurture and build.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
I have lived in the UK, Montreal and now in Ottawa.
In the past, I've coached a soccer team and still play myself.
I enjoy outdoor walks, hikes and BBQ'ing.
What is the value of joining an Evanta community?
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