Information Technology

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">I am a seasoned Strategic IT Program Manager with nearly 18 years of experience in BFSI, Audit and assurance, Energy, Capital Markets, and Consulting/Advisory Services domains. He specializes in digital transformation, data integration, risk management, and cloud adoption, particularly within large, global organizations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have successfully led multi-geography transition programs, data lake implementations, and GRC initiatives, driving measurable operational efficiency and compliance improvements. His expertise spans Agile program delivery, vendor management, third-party risk management (TPRM), Mergers &amp; Acquisitions (M&amp;A), and Global Capability Center (GCC) setups.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Throughout my career, I have collaborated with top-tier firms like KPMG, TCS, Genpact, EY, HSBC, Citi, and Goldman Sachs, managing cross-functional global teams of 20&ndash;35+ members. I have a strong track record in customer success, strategic leadership, and innovation program delivery &mdash; including AI/ML, automation, and cloud migrations (Azure/ Pathlock).<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q2. How is the enterprise GRC market expected to evolve?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Best of my experience, the enterprise GRC market is rapidly evolving toward integrated, cloud-based platforms that unify risk, compliance, audit, and ESG. Driven by regulatory complexity and digital risk, organizations are adopting AI-powered, real-time risk monitoring and automation to enhance agility and decision-making. Key focus areas include third-party risk management, ESG compliance, and scalable, user-friendly solutions across industries like BFSI, Energy, and Pharma. I have seen tremendous opportunities in this market, which is still considered an untapped domain.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q3. What&rsquo;s driving the demand for AI-driven GRC solutions and digital transformation in BFSI, and what are the key opportunities and challenges?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Growing regulatory complexity, cyberthreats, and the requirement for real-time, data-led governance are the main drivers of the demand for AI-driven GRC solutions in BFSI. Institutions need scalable and automated compliance solutions as they transition to digital-first models. Predictive analytics, automated controls, and improved risk visibility are made possible by AI, which presents chances to simplify GRC by using managed services and centralised data. The intricacy of third-party risk management, data silos, legacy systems, and AI explainability in regulated settings all obstacles, though.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q4. How are system integrators positioning themselves to lead large-scale data lake deployments for SOX and GRC compliance?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">In my current roles and experience, I observed that system integrators position themselves as end-to-end partners for large-scale data lake deployments to support SOX and GRC compliance by unifying data, automating controls, and enabling real-time monitoring. They leverage cloud-native platforms, AI-driven analytics, and scalable delivery models to modernize compliance processes. By aligning with risk, audit, and IT teams, they help shift organizations from reactive to proactive compliance while ensuring cost efficiency and regulatory agility.<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q5. What are the key innovations being introduced in next-gen data lake architectures?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Honestly, Next-gen data lakes are evolving into AI-enabled, cloud-native lake house architectures that combine real-time analytics, scalable storage, and built-in governance. Key innovations include automated data discovery, streaming ingestion, integrated compliance, and smarter metadata management for agility and control.<br>&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q6. What are customer pain points with current data lake implementations?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Data lakes provide problems for customers, such as data silos, inadequate governance, sluggish processing, and integration problems. While compliance and security threats continue to be difficult, value is hampered by issues with data quality, inconsistent metadata, high operating expenses, and scalability.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">This a great question!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As an investor, I&rsquo;d definitely ask how the company ensures data security and compliance, what sets its solution apart in scalability and cost efficiency, and how it integrates real-time analytics and AI/ML.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I'd also inquire about their approach to data governance and quality, how they address common pain points like data silos and slow processing, and their strategy for customer acquisition and growth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Finally, I&rsquo;d want to know how they measure ROI and success for clients. These questions would help assess the company's technology, scalability, and market position.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Expert Summary</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;">Kunal Kumar is a seasoned GRC and digital transformation leader with 18+ years of experience driving compliance and risk programs across BFSI, Capital Markets, and IT. As Director at Pathlock, he leads global delivery of SOX, SAP GRC, IAM, and AI-driven risk intelligence solutions, overseeing Centers of Excellence in India, the US, and UK. Previously at KPMG India, he spearheaded large-scale data lake implementations, aligning digital strategy with enterprise compliance and analytics goals. Kunal brings deep expertise in governance, process optimization, and stakeholder collaboration across complex regulatory landscapes.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>