Ajai Srivastava is a distinguished professional with over 35 years of rich industry experience, having held senior management positions at leading organizations such as Philips, GE, Videocon, and BPL Sanyo. He is the Founder Director of Seven Step Consulting and The Compliance First, two firms dedicated to advancing best practices in risk management, compliance, and information security.
Currently serving as a Principal Consultant, Auditor, and Trainer, Ajai brings deep expertise across domains including Information Security Management, IT Service Management, Business Continuity Management, PCI DSS, Quality Management, and SOC/SSAE compliance.
Since 2000, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the management systems landscape, most notably by pioneering the ISMS business for the British Standards Institution (BSI) in India as General Manager in 2001. With over 3000 hours of training to his credit, he is widely regarded as a thought leader and educator in the areas of risk management, information security, and the implementation of international standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 20000.
Ajai is a certified BS 7799 Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer, a Certified Vulnerability Assessor, and holds advanced professional certifications in ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 31000. He is also an accomplished author of two books on information security and risk management, and a frequent speaker and chair at both national and international cybersecurity conferences.
An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Ajai holds both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree, blending academic distinction with decades of practical leadership and consulting excellence.
Sandeep Vashisth is a seasoned C-suite leader and strategist with over 25 years of experience driving growth, transformation, and resilience across the telecom, fintech, media sales, and office automation sectors in both B2C and B2B markets. As the Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Seven Step Consulting, he leads large-scale digital transformation, cybersecurity, and compliance initiatives, helping enterprises navigate today’s evolving risk landscape with agility and foresight.
With a proven track record of delivering measurable impact in highly competitive markets across India and Africa, Sandeep has built his career on the ability to blend strategic vision with pragmatic execution. His expertise spans enterprise security, regulatory compliance, customer trust frameworks, and the orchestration of innovation roadmaps that balance growth with risk resilience.
Sandeep is widely recognised for his ability to demystify complex frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27701, reframing them not as compliance checklists but as dynamic, strategic enablers of organisational success. His advisory work emphasises continuous improvement, cultural transformation, and the role of leadership in embedding cybersecurity and privacy into the very DNA of business operations.
Beyond his technical and strategic acumen, Sandeep is admired for his calm, empathetic leadership style. Colleagues and clients alike describe him as a trusted partner who navigates complexity with integrity, authenticity, and a people-first mindset. These qualities have made him not just a respected executive but also a mentor and collaborator who inspires confidence in every engagement.
As co-author of Beyond Firewalls: Cybersecurity and Privacy in the Digital Age, Sandeep brings his global perspective and decades of frontline experience to illuminate how organisations can future-proof themselves against escalating digital threats while harnessing privacy as a driver of trust and competitive advantage. His contribution bridges strategy and execution, underscoring his core belief: in the digital age, cybersecurity is not a burden but a powerful business enabler.
Currently serving as Delivery Head and Director at Ducis Management Consulting, Sunil brings over 30 years of deep expertise in IT Service Management, Digital Transformation, and ISO framework consulting. He is an ITIL® 4 Master, ITIL Managing Professional, Strategy Leader, and Expert, with a proven track record in building and managing large-scale service delivery operations across industries including banking, telecom, manufacturing, and e-commerce.
Sunil has led numerous consulting assignments focused on ITIL process implementation, ISO certifications (ISO 20000, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS), RCA alignment, and ITSM tool deployment. He has trained and advised global organizations such as NTT Data, Tech Mahindra, Fujitsu, HCL, and CISCO, delivering over 3000 hours of professional training across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
One of the few experts trained by AXELOS/PeopleCert on ITIL 4 prior to its global release, Sunil co-authored core training material and continues to guide organizations in aligning IT services with digital business goals. He is also a frequent speaker and contributor to industry events, with a focus on IT service excellence and operational resilience.
Akanksh Mehta is a distinguished professional with a robust background in corporate finance, risk management, and compliance. Akanksh has established himself as a trusted expert in Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance, operational resilience, and third-party risk management (TPRM). His career reflects a commitment to excellence, strategic problem-solving, and a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks that drive business sustainability.
His corporate assignments showcase his leadership in delivering high-impact solutions for operational resilience and risk mitigation. Notably, his work in TPRM maturity frameworks has helped organizations fortify their external partnerships against disruptions.
Akanksh holds dual certifications as a Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Professional (CSOP™) and Expert (CSOE), credentials that underscore his mastery of SOX compliance and corporate governance. His thought leadership extends to collaborations with industry peers, amplifying discussions on Consumer Duty, Business Continuity, and Risk Mitigation.
As an author, Akanksh Mehta brings a unique blend of field-tested insights and regulatory acumen. This Wisdom Code Series distills his experiences into actionable strategies for professionals navigating risk, compliance, and corporate governance. Whether you’re a finance leader, auditor, or consultant, his perspectives will equip you to turn regulatory challenges into competitive advantages.
Ajai Srivastava is a distinguished professional with over 35 years of rich industry experience, having held senior management positions at leading organizations such as Philips, GE, Videocon, and BPL Sanyo. He is the Founder Director of Seven Step Consulting and The Compliance First, two firms dedicated to advancing best practices in risk management, compliance, and information security.
Currently serving as a Principal Consultant, Auditor, and Trainer, Ajai brings deep expertise across domains including Information Security Management, IT Service Management, Business Continuity Management, PCI DSS, Quality Management, and SOC/SSAE compliance.
Since 2000, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the management systems landscape, most notably by pioneering the ISMS business for the British Standards Institution (BSI) in India as General Manager in 2001. With over 3000 hours of training to his credit, he is widely regarded as a thought leader and educator in the areas of risk management, information security, and the implementation of international standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 20000.
Ajai is a certified BS 7799 Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer, a Certified Vulnerability Assessor, and holds advanced professional certifications in ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 31000. He is also an accomplished author of two books on information security and risk management, and a frequent speaker and chair at both national and international cybersecurity conferences.
An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Ajai holds both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree, blending academic distinction with decades of practical leadership and consulting excellence.
