Balraj Gugnani

As Head of IT Infrastructure, I am responsible for IT Infrastructure Management, Endpoint Protection & Management, IT Service Management, IT Budgeting & Vendor Management, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure operational efficiency, enterprise security, and business continuity.

As the Associate Vice President – IT (Head – IT Infrastructure) at SEWA GRIH RIN LTD., I lead enterprise-wide IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance across a multi-branch network, including the corporate and regional offices. I oversee secure, scalable and compliant technology operations, ensuring alignment with business and regulatory requirements. I have built the IT function from the ground up, establishing a structured, cross-functional team and expanding operations across branches and assets. My responsibilities include managing infrastructure scale-up, IT asset governance and cross-functional coordination to support strategic growth. I drive cloud migration, SaaS integration and platform transitions, including Google Workspace adoption and SSO implementation across critical applications. I lead payment automation through host-to-host integrations and manage enterprise systems while maintaining audit readiness and operational continuity. Focused on enterprise security, I oversee endpoint protection, identity access management and business continuity planning. I manage IT budgeting, vendor negotiations and cost optimization and regularly present IT strategy and performance to board-level committees and investors. My role is rooted in structured service delivery, automation and stakeholder collaboration to support ongoing transformation and resilience.

As the Assistant General Manager – IT at SEWA GRIH RIN LTD., I managed enterprise-wide IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. I led secure and compliant Azure operations, including managing subscriptions, profiles and protecting Azure Active Directory accounts. I also handled IT governance, data security and the development of IT strategies and policies while improving IT awareness across head office and branches. I supported the implementation of new IT modules, developed user guides and conducted training for end users. I collaborated with external vendors for application support and enhancements and played a key role in developing IT processes. I also led initiatives such as the installation of fiber optics within the head office and promoted teamwork through effective leadership across the IT staff. Additionally, I ensured business continuity through structured service delivery and identity access management. I managed IT assets, supported audit readiness and aligned IT operations with business and regulatory needs. I consistently drove improvements in infrastructure, cybersecurity and service efficiency to support organizational growth.

At Miracle Coroplast Pvt. Ltd., I led IT and ERP functions during a critical phase of business relocation and consolidation. My focus was on ensuring uninterrupted operations while integrating ERP systems with evolving business needs. I handled system documentation, user access controls and internal escalations, ensuring data integrity and compliance readiness in the new setup. I worked closely with the business teams to align IT controls with operational objectives. Additionally, I conducted end-user training sessions and provided hands-on IT orientation, which accelerated adoption and productivity post-migration. My role demanded agility, strong coordination and a proactive approach to maintain technology continuity during the transition.

At QIWI, I led IT operations and network infrastructure for the India arm of a global fintech company focused on kiosk and mobile payments. I was responsible for building the IT and security backbone for the business in India, ensuring a stable and secure technology foundation that aligned with global standards. I designed and implemented data center infrastructure, managed application-level security and oversaw integrations with external vendors and government platforms. I also set technical standards for billing processors and managed API integrations to support transaction workflows across India. Beyond infrastructure, I led daily operations, hosted incident triage meetings with international teams and resolved system performance issues through structured troubleshooting. I also enforced strong authentication and access controls to ensure security across platforms.

At Mart Ind Infotech, I managed end-to-end IT network operations and played a key role in deploying ERP, CRM and website solutions for educational institutions. I ensured smooth installation, configuration and maintenance of all network and system hardware, supporting secure and efficient IT infrastructure across client sites. I resolved system performance issues and handled network administration, including application conflicts and on-site hardware bugs. I led regular project review meetings with cross-functional teams to track progress and ensure timely delivery of IT solutions aligned with client needs. I also developed and enforced user authentication protocols and security policies. Additionally, I supported software deployments and provided extended maintenance for client-facing platforms, particularly school and college ERP systems.

I began my career at Dotsquares Technologies as a trainee and was quickly promoted to Network Administrator. I took ownership of installing, configuring and maintaining network equipment and structured cabling, ensuring stable and secure infrastructure performance. I provided day-to-day desktop support and resolved system-level issues including application conflicts, bugs and hardware problems. My role demanded hands-on support across multiple areas, from user systems to IT infrastructure, making me highly adaptable in a fast-paced support environment. I actively participated in maintaining system uptime and handled both software troubleshooting and hardware servicing. This foundational experience shaped my understanding of end-to-end IT operations and set the stage for my future growth in infrastructure and cybersecurity leadership.

B.E (IT)