Sujatha S Iyer, the Head of AI Security, ManageEngine, Zoho Corp, says the biggest barrier she faced in her career was overcoming self-doubt

Can you share your journey into the security world? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I started my journey as an intern and later transitioned into an AI engineering role. What drew me to the field of security was its unique challenge—defense must be 100% accurate, while an attacker only needs one successful attempt out of 100. That single successful attack can render the 99 successful defenses ineffective. This complexity and high-stakes environment captivated me and inspired me to pursue a career in security.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest barrier I faced in my career was overcoming self-doubt. Early on, I often questioned whether my approach to solving problems was the right one, sometimes over analysing every step. In AI, there’s rarely one clear path to follow; multiple models and techniques can be used to address the same problem. There were times when I felt a certain approach was the right engineering solution but still grappled with the fear that I might be wrong. What if the path I chose didn’t work? What if I wasted time and looked incapable? Those doubts were always there.

Over time, I realised that it’s not about always being right but about embracing the process of exploration. It’s okay to take a path that doesn’t lead to immediate success, as long as you can explain why you chose it. Even if an approach doesn’t work out, the learnings from those failures are invaluable—they often help inform the next steps. For example, out of 10 approaches, I may end up choosing the ninth, but the lessons learned from the previous eight will contribute in some way to the success of that approach.

I also feel obliged to the company culture, which has played a big part in helping me overcome these challenges. In our company, the focus is on how you approach a problem and what you learn along the way, rather than simply delivering a result. The management truly understands that not every path will yield success right away, but the knowledge gained is never wasted. The technical freedom I have here to explore new ideas is invaluable, and I don’t think I would have this kind of support anywhere else. This culture has been key in helping me grow and build the confidence to push through self-doubt.

How do you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over time?
My leadership has evolved to become more centered around the people I work with. Initially, the focus was more on the technical aspects, but over time, I’ve realised that success isn’t just about accomplishing tasks, it’s about fostering an environment where learning is enjoyable, growth is supported, and everyone feels valued. I believe each person brings unique strengths to the table, and as I’ve gained experience, I’ve shifted to a more people-centric approach. Now, I prioritise tailoring work and processes to suit individuals rather than forcing people to adapt to rigid processes.

What strategies do you use to motivate and empower your team?
To motivate and empower my team, I focus on fostering a culture of learning and resilience. Coming from a research background, I understand that not every approach will yield immediate results, and setbacks are part of the process. When an idea doesn’t work out, I remind my team that no effort is ever wasted—there’s always valuable learning that can be applied elsewhere. By framing challenges as opportunities for growth and emphasising the importance of experimentation, I ensure my team members stay motivated and confident in their ability to innovate and succeed.

Have you had any mentors or role models who have significantly influenced your career? How did they impact your journey?
Sheryl Sandberg has been a huge inspiration to me. Her leadership in the tech industry, her advocacy for women through Lean In, and her tireless efforts for workplace inclusion and equality are qualities I deeply admire. Personally, I connect with her message on a profound level. In my own experience, particularly with the women I mentor—including those in the MARUPADI program, a career-relaunch boot camp offered by Zoho Schools of Learning—I’ve noticed a pattern.

Many of the women I work with, who report to me, tend to hesitate even when they know the answer. This hesitation often stems from an underlying fear of judgment or making mistakes, leading to self-doubt. I don’t observe this level of hesitation as often in men. Sheryl’s insights, especially in her book Lean In, have inspired me to help women overcome these barriers and empower them to embrace their potential with confidence.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the security world?
My advice to young women looking to start a career in tech is to stay inquisitive and continuously update yourself, as this is a field that evolves rapidly. It’s crucial not to buy into the idea that tech is only for men—there is space for everyone, and your voice matters. Reaching out to colleagues and seeking mentorship can make a huge difference in your journey.

I remember when I was an intern and I had an insightful conversation with a manager in the pantry—one of those casual, water-cooler moments. I was working on a feature and wanted to understand how it impacted the customer, so I asked them for their perspective. They shared some valuable advice: what sets an engineer apart is the willingness to go beyond just writing code and pushing it out. They recommended that I always strive to understand the customer’s experience, not just the technical side of things. That advice has been a game-changer for me, and I’ve followed it ever since. It has truly made a difference in my career, and I’m grateful for it.

Can you highlight some of your proudest achievements in your career so far?
My proudest achievement to date has been successfully deploying AI models into production and managing the massive scale of requests for it each month. This required not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the business context to ensure the models provided real value to customers. A standout project for me was collaborating with Site24x7, ManageEngine’s full-stack monitoring solution, where we implemented anomaly detection and forecasting in its monitoring systems. This was during a period when AI wasn’t as widely discussed as it is today. The scale was immense, reaching billions of requests per month.

Hence, we had to innovate and build infrastructure from the ground up, ensuring we met customer expectations, such as 99% uptime guarantees. One of the most rewarding part of this journey was seeing the final product in action, especially when it made a tangible impact on our customers. For example, customers were able to use AI to identify causes of issues, and hearing their positive feedback made the entire effort worth it. It’s one thing to develop a model, but to see it actually being used in real time, solving problems, and benefiting users was the true reward. That sense of gratification is what I hold most dear.

How do you manage work-life balance, and what tips do you have for other women striving to achieve this balance?
For me, work-life balance comes naturally when you enjoy what you do. Work doesn’t feel like a burden, and it’s easier to manage everything without feeling overwhelmed. My advice to other women is to find work you’re passionate about and take time for yourself. Find out what works for you and what makes you happy in both work and life.