Jawad Merchant

I’m a senior cybersecurity and information security leader with 10+ years of experience building, leading, and maturing security and IT functions in growing companies. I’ve worked in roles such as Director of IT & Information Security, Head of Information Security, and Senior Information Security Manager, often as the person brought in to create structure, raise security maturity, and align security with business goals.
My experience spans security strategy, governance, risk management, compliance, cloud and SaaS environments, identity and access management, security operations, vendor security, audit readiness, and stakeholder communication. I’ve led work around frameworks and certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and broader security maturity initiatives, while also helping companies make practical decisions on tooling, processes, and priorities.
What I bring as a mentor is not just theory, but real-world experience navigating the messy middle: joining organizations where security is still immature, dealing with limited budgets and mixed stakeholder expectations, building trust with leadership, and turning security from a blocker into a business enabler. I’m especially good at helping people think clearly, communicate with confidence, and make security work in fast-moving environments.
I can support mentees with:Growing into senior security leadership rolesMoving from operational security work into strategy and managementBuilding or maturing a security function from scratchRisk management, compliance, and audit preparationCommunicating with executives and non-technical stakeholdersPrioritization, roadmap planning, and creating practical security programsCareer development, personal branding, interviewing, and positioning for roles such as Head of Security, Director, or CISO-track positions
I’m a good fit for people who want honest, practical guidance rather than generic advice. I tend to focus on clarity, judgment, and real outcomes: how to handle difficult situations, influence decisions, present yourself credibly, and grow into larger roles.
If you’re looking for a mentor who understands both the technical and business sides of security, and who can help you navigate leadership, strategy, and career growth in a realistic way, I’d be happy to support you.