Feb 2026
Your Backup Data Has Been Sleeping on a Goldmine
Organizations back up petabytes of data, yet only about 32% is actively used. AI-powered RAG is transforming passive backup archives into active knowledge engines.
AIData SecurityRAG
Cybersecurity Leader • Sales Engineer • AI Enthusiast
Hi, I'm Lalan Prasad
“Bridging the gap between technical depth and business value in cybersecurity.”
Principal Sales Engineer at Cohesity with 20+ years of experience helping enterprises secure their data with AI-driven solutions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
About Me
With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, I bring a deep understanding of enterprise security from both technical and strategic perspectives.
Having worked at industry leaders like Cisco, Juniper, SentinelOne, and Zscaler, I've led pre-sales engagements, built technical demos, and partnered with customers across public sector, BFSI, and enterprise verticals to architect security solutions covering ZTNA, XDR, ITDR, and DLP.
I've also worked with high-growth cybersecurity startups — ColorTokens (Micro Segmentation) and Attivo Networks (Deception-based Security & Identity Security) — gaining hands-on experience in shaping innovative security narratives and driving adoption of next-gen technologies.
Currently at Cohesity, I focus on helping enterprises leverage AI-driven data security to protect, recover, and govern their most critical assets across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
20+
Years in Cybersecurity
500+
Enterprise Engagements
2.2K+
LinkedIn Followers
6+
Industry Leaders
Professional Journey
Principal Sales Engineer
Jan 2026 - PresentCohesity
Driving data security solutions for enterprise and public sector clients. Leveraging AI-powered threat detection and zero-trust data protection capabilities.
AI Data SecurityZero TrustHybrid Cloud
Senior Sales Engineer - Public Sector
May 2024 - Jan 2026Zscaler
Led digital transformation of government vertical through ZTNA, Deception, Identity Threat Detection and Response, Data Protection (DLP) and SD-WAN.
ZTNADLPGovernment
Director Sales Engineering
Aug 2023 - May 2024Whiteswan Identity Security
Led pre-sales strategy and technical presentations for identity security solutions.
Identity SecurityPre-Sales Leadership
Senior Solutions Architect
Jul 2019 - Aug 2023Attivo Networks / SentinelOne
Progressed from Senior Technical Sales Engineer to Manager Pre-Sales to Senior Solutions Architect. Secured SMB and enterprise customers with EDR/XDR. Contributed to successful exit to SentinelOne.
EDR/XDRDeception SecurityIdentity Security
Senior Security Consultant
Apr 2018 - Jul 2019ColorTokens
Pre-sales, customer deployment, and large-scale implementation of micro-segmentation solutions across enterprise clients.
Micro SegmentationZero Trust
Earlier Roles
2005 - 2018Cisco, Juniper Networks, Wipro & more
Built foundational cybersecurity expertise across network security, firewall management, and enterprise infrastructure at industry-leading organizations.
Network SecurityFirewallInfrastructure
Skills & Expertise
🛡️
Security Domains
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTNA)Extended Detection & Response (XDR)Identity Threat Detection (ITDR)Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Deception-based SecurityMicro Segmentation
🤖
AI & Data
AI-Driven Data SecurityRetrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)Data GovernanceBackup & RecoveryHybrid & Multi-CloudRansomware Protection
📊
Pre-Sales & Strategy
Technical Demos & PoCRFP ManagementEnterprise ArchitecturePublic Sector EngagementBFSI Vertical ExpertisePartner Ecosystem
🏆
Certifications
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)Zscaler Digital Transformation AdminCisco Security Ninja Green BeltHacking RestAPIs (Udemy)
Insights & Thought Leadership
Coming Soon
Why Zero Trust Is No Longer Optional for Government
Digital transformation in the public sector demands a security-first approach. ZTNA, identity-aware access, and continuous verification are the new baseline.
Zero TrustGovernmentZTNA
Coming Soon
From Startup to Enterprise: Lessons in Cybersecurity Sales Engineering
What I learned navigating the journey from high-growth startups like ColorTokens and Attivo to enterprise leaders like Zscaler and Cohesity.
CareerSales EngineeringStartups
Travel Diaries
When I'm not securing enterprise data, you'll find me exploring India's incredible landscapes and cultures. For the full photo gallery and detailed stories, visit CompassWithChai.
Goa, India
Dec 2025
Sun, Sand & Serenity
Beach hopping from Palolem to Anjuna, fresh seafood, and sunsets that paint the sky in shades of gold. Goa never disappoints.
BeachFoodSunsets
Karnataka, India
Oct 2025
Beyond Bengaluru
From the ruins of Hampi to the misty hills of Coorg — Karnataka is a treasure trove of history, coffee plantations, and stunning waterfalls.
HeritageNatureCoffee
Varanasi, India
Jan 2024
Ghats at Dawn
Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat — an experience that stays with you. The spiritual heart of India.
SpiritualCultureHeritage
Ladakh, India
Aug 2023
The Last Frontier
Riding through Khardung La at 18,380 ft, camping by Pangong Lake, and finding peace in the vast emptiness of the Himalayas.
AdventureBikingMountains
Awards & Achievements
🎖️
Cisco Security Ninja Green Belt
Cisco
Recognized for advanced security expertise and contributions.
🏅
Titan Award
Wipro Testing BU
Awarded for exceptional teamwork in the regression testing team.
🤝
Successful Startup Exit
Attivo Networks → SentinelOne
Contributed to the successful acquisition of Attivo Networks by SentinelOne.
🎓
Mentor Together
Volunteer
Mentored students as part of the Mentor Together non-profit organization.
Companies I've worked with
CohesityZscalerSentinelOneAttivo NetworksColorTokensCiscoJuniper NetworksWipro
Let's Connect
Open to industry conversations, thought leadership collaborations, and cybersecurity networking. Feel free to reach out.