Sri Manda (Peloton): From Gatekeeper to Innovator: How CISOs Can Harness Startup Power

In this episode of Reinvent Security, we dive into the world of cybersecurity innovation with Sri Manda, the Chief Security and Trust Officer at Peloton. Sri brings a unique perspective—he’s not only a seasoned security leader in e-commerce, content creation, and IoT manufacturing, but also an active advisor to cybersecurity startups, venture capital, and private equity.

In our conversation, Sri shares why modern CISOs must wear multiple hats: part technologist, part risk manager, part business strategist, and part mentor. He details how he distinguishes genuine innovation from marketing hype, how to set up effective proof-of- concept criteria to evaluate emerging solutions, and why he believes in building “incubation labs” inside the enterprise.

Key highlights include:

 From Reactive to Proactive: Sri’s personal stories on why cybersecurity must move beyond mere compliance toward enabling secure, fast-paced innovation.

 Startup-Enterprise Partnership: Criteria and red flags for CISOs looking to leverage new market entrants, plus how entrepreneurs can refine their pitch.

 Reinventing the CISO Role: The shift from gatekeeper to strategic leader—communicating in business terms, fostering a culture of collaboration, and building resilience.

 Future-Facing Tech: How AI, automation, and next-gen computing are shaping tomorrow’s security tools, and what Peloton is doing to stay ahead.

If you’re ready to explore the cutting edge of cybersecurity—balancing bold new ideas with enterprise-grade governance—this episode is for you. Sri’s real-world experiences, from forging deeper connections with startups to bridging business objectives and risk management, offer a blueprint for CISOs everywhere.

Chapters:

Resources & Mentions:

 Peloton’s multifaceted business model: Content, IoT, e-commerce, and apps.

 The value of an MBA for cybersecurity leaders: bridging financials and technology.

 Incubation labs: a practical approach to vet, test, and adopt innovative solutions.

 Book Recommendation: Having Effective Conversations (for tough stakeholder

discussions).

Connect with Sri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srimanda/

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Jeroen Prinse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/

Irfaan Santoe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/

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