EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 33 MIN
How AI is transforming cybersecurity | With Meerah Rajavel | CIO, Palo Alto Networks
from Mala's Podcast · host Mala Ramakrishnan
Meera Rajavel, CIO at Palo Alto Networks, joins Mala Ramakrishnan to share a candid journey from a small town in India to the C-suite of global technology companies.Meera breaks down what it really takes to build a long-term career in engineering, IT, and cybersecurity. She shares lessons from startups and large enterprises, how CIOs think about outcomes, why security must be frictionless, and how AI is reshaping the speed and risk of cyber threats. The conversation also covers leadership, risk-taking, and what founders must get right to sell into the enterprise.-----------------------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 Intro 01:00 Growing up in India and early barriers02:20 Discovering computer science03:30 Teaching while learning programming04:30 Early engineering career and startups05:30 Learning foundations at large companies06:40 Moving beyond engineering into IT07:40 Why outcomes matter more than roles08:40 Entering cybersecurity and cloud transformation10:00 Becoming a CIO and taking risks11:30 Myths about cybersecurity and risk13:00 Why security must be frictionless14:30 How cyber threats evolved over time16:20 How AI changed attack speed18:20 AI as a force multiplier in security20:00 Using AI for business outcomes22:00 Advice for women aiming for the C-suite24:40 What enterprises expect from startups----------------------------------------------- 🔗 Connect with Meerah Rajavel → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meerah-rajavel/🔗 Connect with Mala Ramakrishnan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaramakrishnan🎧 Subscribe to the podcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL3D6aI60R-cCvypFIkh4Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NIDE4cT5fuVjC3HaGbCDK?si=eoSTNmhqQNKHQl9d1Jx0UQApple Podcast: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talking-to-the-leaders-of-ai-the-ceo-series-with-mala/22ad2bae-502b-4eb1-aa74-53bc79754db7Visit our Website: www.malaramakrishnan.com | www.founderscreative.ai
What this episode covers
Meera Rajavel, CIO at Palo Alto Networks, joins Mala Ramakrishnan to share a candid journey from a small town in India to the C-suite of global technology companies.Meera breaks down what it really takes to build a long-term career in engineering, IT, and cybersecurity. She shares lessons from startups and large enterprises, how CIOs think about outcomes, why security must be frictionless, and how AI is reshaping the speed and risk of cyber threats. The conversation also covers leadership, risk-taking, and what founders must get right to sell into the enterprise.-----------------------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 Intro 01:00 Growing up in India and early barriers02:20 Discovering computer science03:30 Teaching while learning programming04:30 Early engineering career and startups05:30 Learning foundations at large companies06:40 Moving beyond engineering into IT07:40 Why outcomes matter more than roles08:40 Entering cybersecurity and cloud transformation10:00 Becoming a CIO and taking risks11:30 Myths about cybersecurity and risk13:00 Why security must be frictionless14:30 How cyber threats evolved over time16:20 How AI changed attack speed18:20 AI as a force multiplier in security20:00 Using AI for business outcomes22:00 Advice for women aiming for the C-suite24:40 What enterprises expect from startups----------------------------------------------- 🔗 Connect with Meerah Rajavel → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meerah-rajavel/🔗 Connect with Mala Ramakrishnan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/malaramakrishnan🎧 Subscribe to the podcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL3D6aI60R-cCvypFIkh4Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NIDE4cT5fuVjC3HaGbCDK?si=eoSTNmhqQNKHQl9d1Jx0UQApple Podcast: https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/talking-to-the-leaders-of-ai-the-ceo-series-with-mala/22ad2bae-502b-4eb1-aa74-53bc79754db7Visit our Website: www.malaramakrishnan.com | www.founderscreative.ai
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How AI is transforming cybersecurity | With Meerah Rajavel | CIO, Palo Alto Networks
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