Kanishk Gaur is a distinguished Cyber Security and AI Security expert with 18 years of experience across cybersecurity, digital forensics, cybercrime investigation, fraud detection, data protection, AI security, and emerging technologies. His work spans global engagements across the US, UK, India, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?Pacific, shaping national?level cybersecurity and AI?governance agendas.

Over the years, he has investigated thousands of cybercrime incidents, supported law?enforcement agencies, and worked with governments and Fortune 500 companies to strengthen digital resilience. His journey from researcher to entrepreneur reflects a commitment to building scalable, AI?powered defences that counter deepfakes, misinformation, fraud, and adversarial AI.

Kanishk is the Founder & CEO of Athenian Tech, a deep?tech AI security company, and also the Founder of India Future Foundation (IFF), a global think tank driving cyber policy, online safety, and national?security capability development.

EDUCATION

• PhD in Cyber Security, Indian Institute of Management (IIM)
• Chevening Cyber Security Fellow, Cranfield University
• Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Management Development Institute (MDI)
• B.Tech in Information Technology, APJ Abdul Kalam University, Lucknow
• Diploma in Business Communication, University of Cambridge

EMPLOYMENT

Chief Executive Officer – Athenian Tech (UK)

Kanishk Gaur is the CEO of Athenian Tech, where he leads the development of deep?tech platforms for Deepfake detection, Misinformation and fake?news intelligence, Digital?risk monitoring, Adversarial AI defence, Hybrid cyber?threat intelligence

He works with organisations such as Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, BAE Systems, UNODC, and the British Government.

Founder – India Future Foundation (IFF)

Kanishk is the founder of IFF, a national?security and public?policy think tank working on Cyber security & national security, Online safety & digital literacy, DPDP & data protection frameworks, AI governance & emerging?tech policy , Law?enforcement & defence capacity building.

IFF partners with United Nations, Interpol, NSCS, state police forces, and top academic institutions.

Prior experience

Managing Director – Protiviti (UK & India)

Kanishk served as Managing Director leading Cyber Security & Technology Risk, establishing Protiviti’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) for global markets.

Director – Ernst & Young LLP.

He led Cyber Threat Intelligence and Digital Transformation in EY’s cybersecurity practice across multiple regions.

Associate Director – Deloitte Consulting

He advised the Government of India on securing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) including Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UPI, Smart Cities, and national cloud and telecom systems.

SUMMARY OF RELEVANT WORK / ACHIEVEMENTS

• Winner – Business World 40 Under 40 (2025)
• Winner – GITEX North Star Award (2025) for innovation in AI?powered cyber intelligence
• Led critical investigations into deepfake financial scams, telecom data breaches, and defence?sector cyber exposures
• Built AI systems for fraud detection, misinformation defence, and adversarial AI risk mitigation
• Supported governments on cybersecurity standards, DPDP implementation, telecom security, fintech frameworks, and online safety
• Conducted national training programmes with UNODC, UK Government, Defence agencies, NSCS, and multiple police departments
• Appears regularly on Economic Times, Hindustan Times, CNBC?TV18, CNN?News18, NDTV as a cybersecurity & AI commentator