Mahesh Bathala

Results-driven Network Security Consultant with 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and transforming enterprise network security infrastructures across global organizations. Proven expertise in architecting secure, scalable, and highly available security solutions using Cisco Secure Firewall (ASA/FTD/FMC), Palo Alto Networks, Juniper SRX, Fortinet and Cisco ISE. Demonstrated success in leading large-scale security modernization and digital transformation initiatives, including 500+ firewall migrations, supporting 10,000+ users, maintaining 99.99% service availability, and delivering 100+ critical security changes annually with zero unplanned downtime.

Adept at driving Zero Trust adoption, network segmentation, security governance, compliance, and infrastructure resilience while optimizing security operations and reducing organizational risk. Seeking to contribute strategic leadership and deep technical expertise to a Network Security Architect role, enabling secure digital transformation, strengthening enterprise cyber resilience, and aligning security architecture with business objectives.

Senior Consultant: Cyber Security at Infosys Ltd (2026-07 – Present)

• Lead architecture, implementation, migration, and lifecycle management of enterprise network security solutions. Palo Alto Prisma SASE: Currently responsible for the configuration, deployment, and integration of Palo Alto Prisma SASE solutions across on-premises infrastructure and public cloud environments.
• Security Transition Projects: Working on transition projects involving the migration of security services from third-party providers to in-house operations, including firewall infrastructure and, Firewall Management Centers (FMC, Panaroma, Fortimanager & Juniper Security Director).
• Next-Generation Firewall Migration: Leading and supporting the migration of legacy firewall devices to Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) while ensuring seamless integration and providing ongoing Business-as-Usual (BAU) operational support.
• Firewall Security Solutions: Working on new business demands and security requirements by designing, implementing, and supporting firewall-based security solutions in alignment with organizational security standards.
• Design and support multi-vendor firewall ecosystems including Cisco, Palo Alto, Juniper, and Fortinet platforms.
• Architect and manage VPN technologies, NAT policies, access control frameworks, and high-availability solutions. Lead security transformation, firewall modernization, and platform consolidation programs.
• Conduct architecture reviews and recommend security enhancements aligned with business objectives.
• Manage P1/P2 incidents, problem management activities, root cause analysis, and long-term remediation planning.
• Drive regulatory compliance, vulnerability remediation, and security governance initiatives.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, security leaders, and business stakeholders on strategic initiatives. Manage implementation governance, risk assessment, change approvals, execution planning, and validation processes.
• Coordinate with Cisco, Palo Alto, Juniper, and Fortinet TAC teams for complex technical escalations.
• Develop architectural standards, SOPs, governance models, and operational frameworks.

Consultant: Cyber Security at Infosys Ltd (2024-09 – 2026-06)

Network Security Consultant at Viatris | Whitepaper Solutions Pvt Ltd (2023-03 – 2024-09)

• Managing Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, Fortigate, Juniper Firewalls, Panorama, Citrix NetScaler, AWS and Cisco ISE.
• Designing, configuring, and troubleshooting VPN solutions (IPSec, SSL, GlobalProtect, AnyConnect) for seamless, secure connectivity with remote offices, third-party vendors.
• Taking ownership of high-priority incidents (P1, P2) and implementing emergency changes to ensure smooth business operations.
• Providing technical support for network security devices during critical incidents and periods of downtime. Conducting critical upgrades & applying bug fixes for security devices.
• Leading migration of IPSec Site-to-Site VPNs from Cisco ASA to Palo Alto, ensuring minimal disruption and enhanced security posture.
• Driving large-scale upgrades from Cisco ASA to Palo Alto Firewalls, including full migration planning, deployment, and post-implementation reviews.
• Conducting thorough security incident investigations, providing root cause analysis (RCA) and implementing permanent resolutions to prevent recurrence.
• Conducting risk assessments and generating BPA reports for Palo Alto firewalls to implement corrective actions and fine-tune firewall rules and VPN configurations.

Maintenance Department Head at ENVS Eco Friendly Digital Fabrics India Pvt (2017-04 – 2023-03)

• Troubleshooting and resolution of incidents, working with critical SLA's
• Remote support for on-site engineers and end users/customers during installation
• Planning the changes before implementation, Working with Cisco ASA 5510, 5520
• AAA authentication using ACS Server to access the Network by only authenticated users.
• Implementing security by using VPN, Port Security, VLAN, Dot1x authentication and ACL's
• Configuring access-lists in Firewalls. And creating IPSEC VPN Tunnel connection for a secure and private network.
• Raising vendor fault tickets, managing the replacement and return of failed devices with hardware suppliers in accordance with SLA. Utilizing escalations matrices were required.
• Manage P1/P2 incidents, problem management activities, root cause analysis, and long-term remediation planning.
• Drive regulatory compliance, vulnerability remediation, and security governance initiatives.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects, security leaders, and business stakeholders on strategic initiatives. Manage implementation governance, risk assessment, change approvals, execution planning, and validation processes.
• Coordinate with Cisco, Palo Alto, Juniper, and Fortinet TAC teams for complex technical escalations.
• Develop architectural standards, SOPs, governance models, and operational frameworks.

Technical Facility Executive at IBM India Pvt. Ltd. | Randstad India Pvt. Ltd (2016-01 – 2017-04)

• Experience working in datacenter environment, configuration changes as per the needs of Energy Management Systems projects (ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems).
• Co-ordinate and support with various team for project implementation/requirements for their needs.

Master of Technology in Electrical Power Systems – Sree Vidyanikethan Engineering College (2014 – 2016)

Bachelor of Technology in Electrical & Electronics Engineering – Sri Kalahasteeswara Institute of Technology (2009 – 2013)

Intermediate in MPC – SAPS Aided Jr. College (2007 – 2008)

SSC – ZPHS Gownipalli (2006 – 2007)