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“I was always fascinated by how things break,” says Anubhav Sharma, Senior Product Security Engineer at Cashfree Payments. Hailing from Rajasthan, Anubhav’s fascination with ethical hacking as a college student led him to transform his interests into a career in cybersecurity. From conducting ethical hacking workshops in small villages to safeguarding critical payment infrastructure for Cashfree Payments, Anubhav’s journey is a great example of passion and perseverance.
A passion ignited
Anubhav’s journey with ethical hacking began in college. “Back then, I didn’t even know the term cybersecurity,” he admits. Inspired by prominent hackers of the time, he pursued a hands-on training course in Ahmedabad during his third year of engineering, learning the fundamentals of ethical hacking and exploring the bug bounty ecosystem. As he picked up the nuances of finding system vulnerabilities, Anubhav began to teach and train others on the basics of ethical hacking in the interiors of Rajasthan.
When he started his career, Anubhav gained exposure to both service-based and product-based environments, testing and securing over 100 applications. Eventually he realised his true interests lay in understanding payment systems—and therein started his journey in fintech.
Joining Cashfree Payments
“I first heard of Cashfree Payments when I was watching Shark Tank India and saw the company as one of the sponsors. It was around that time that I was exploring the fintech space, and Cashfree Payments seemed like a promising place to work,” Anubhav shares.
Today, as a Senior Product Security Engineer, he handles end-to-end security for Cashfree Payments’ products. “We do everything from threat modelling during ideation to post-deployment security reviews,” he shares. His team prioritises building secure, compliant, and scalable systems. Notably, his implementation of CVE blockers and API security scanners underscores Cashfree Payments’ commitment to robust cybersecurity measures. Anubhav’s first bug bounty success came at Cashfree Payments when he identified a vulnerability in a third-party tool. “The company supported me in reporting it globally, and I was credited with a CVE ID,” he says proudly.
Thriving in collaboration
Anubhav credits Cashfree Payments’ flat structure and easy access to leadership for empowering him to innovate and excel. “This is the first company where I’ve had such easy access to the CTO,” he says. He believes that this openness, coupled with a focus on ownership, has allowed him to thrive.
Reflecting on his own journey, he says, “At Cashfree Payments, your ideas and efforts are valued from day one. For those who are starting out in their careers, it’s important to understand the importance of taking ownership of your work because that’s the first step to learning and eventual growth.”
Anubhav’s contributions extend beyond the workplace. With Cashfree Payments’ support, he presents at industry events, sharing insights into fintech security.
Looking ahead
His advice to aspiring security professionals? “Take ownership of your work, be curious, and make the best use of opportunities to grow.”
From exploring ethical hacking as a college student to securing fintech infrastructure, Anubhav’s journey at Cashfree Payments is a powerful testament to how curiosity, resilience, and the right environment can transform passion into meaningful impact. At Cashfree Payments, a culture of empowerment and innovation ensures that individuals don’t just work—they thrive, grow, and lead.Interested in joining our engineering team? Explore careers at Cashfree Payments here.
