Sooraj Sathyanarayanan presenting at a technical session

đź‘‹ Hi there! I’m Sooraj Sathyanarayanan, a cybersecurity and privacy researcher with over 3 years of deep technical experience across various security domains. Currently pursuing my Master’s in Cybersecurity at Northeastern University (expected Dec 2024), I blend hands-on technical prowess with a passion for privacy-focused solutions, secure systems design, and meaningful digital rights advocacy.

Mission

My mission is to empower individuals and organizations by creating cutting-edge, privacy-preserving technologies that enhance security in our interconnected world. From safeguarding critical infrastructure to championing user privacy, I strive to make cybersecurity reliable, accessible, and impactful.

Core Expertise

Security Research & Engineering

  • Privacy-preserving technologies
  • Blockchain security & decentralized identity
  • Threat research & intelligence
  • DevSecOps & secure development lifecycles

Technical Leadership

  • Founder & Chapter Lead, null NEU (100+ members)
  • Strategic Advisor, NEU Chess Club
  • Research Lead, NEU Blockchain Organization

Professional Experience

Security Domains

  • Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
  • Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)
  • Security and Privacy Audit
  • Privacy Engineering & Data Protection
  • Vulnerability Assessment & Secure Code Review

Notable Projects

  • Enhanced HushLine platform security
  • Conducted technical security audits for AWS and Debian environments
  • Developed IoT healthcare security solutions
  • Led blockchain privacy research initiatives
  • Engineered secure image encryption systems using hyperchaotic sequences

Technical Arsenal

Security Tools

  • Assessment: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Nmap, Metasploit
  • Scanning: Nessus, Qualys, Acunetix
  • Automation & Secrets Management: HashiCorp Vault, CI/CD pipelines, Python scripting

Development Stack

  • Languages: Python, Rust, Bash, C++, JavaScript
  • Infrastructure: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes

Security Frameworks

  • OWASP Top 10, NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Achievements

Security & CTFs

  • Runner-Up, Recorded Future CTF
  • Winner, IEEE TEMS Haxxorz CTF
  • Master Level, TryHackMe
  • Hacker Level, Hack The Box

Strategic & Personal

  • FIDE Arena Grand Master (AGM) in Chess
  • Finalist, Cyber Disease 2020 (IIT Bombay)
  • Graduate Leadership Institute Member

Certifications

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), EC-Council
  • eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)
  • IBM Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Specialist

Current Research & Projects

  • Building privacy-focused metadata removal tools (Rust-based)
  • Exploring scam prevention and LLM-based threat analysis
  • Merging chess-inspired strategic thinking with cybersecurity red teaming

Hobbies & Interests

Beyond security, I’m passionate about chess, experimenting with authentic Indian cuisines, and mentoring peers in cybersecurity. I’ve even modeled “Batcave threat models” to make complex security concepts both engaging and relatable.

Future Aspirations

I aim to lead impactful security research bridging the gap between modern technology and fundamental privacy rights. My vision is a world where digital ecosystems are not just secure, but also privacy-preserving and accessible to all.

Let’s Connect

I’m actively seeking roles in:

  • Privacy Engineering
  • Threat Research
  • Red Team Operations
  • Security Research
  • DevSecOps Engineering

Let’s discuss security, privacy, or chess strategies!

Feel free to reach out if you share a passion for defending digital rights, innovating secure solutions, or pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cybersecurity.