Smart Parent’s Guide to Cybersecurity

Anand Shinde is a renowned, seasoned Cybersecurity expert, mentor, and author with a wealth of experience in safeguarding digital ecosystems, as a certified professional with credentials from global leaders like Microsoft, Cisco, Amazon, ISACA and the International Society of Automation. Anand has worked on complex cybersecurity projects across India, Poland, Ireland, and the United States. His international career has equipped him with diverse perspectives and practical insights to address intricate cybersecurity challenges effectively.

In addition to his consulting work, Anand is deeply committed to education and mentorship. Since 2015, he has been serving as a student mentor and career counsellor for prestigious institutions, including Novel Group of Institutes and MIT ADT University, guiding aspiring professionals toward successful careers in cybersecurity. His role as a mentor for the International Society of Automation reflects his dedication to fostering talent in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.

Anand has also contributed to the field of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence with an innovative patent application, underscoring his commitment to advancing the industry. His contributions extend to raising cyber awareness through blogs and campaigns that promote best practices for digital strength.

For anyone aspiring to build a career in cybersecurity, Anand invites you to connect through AnandShinde.com, where he continues to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in the digital age.

With over 18 years of experience in cybersecurity, Jessen Kurien has dedicated his professional life to protecting organizations from the world’s most sophisticated digital threats. With a career spanning top industry players like Microsoft, he has led global initiatives in Cyber Security Operations, Threat Intelligence, Threat Detection, Incident Response, Cloud Security, Risk Management & AI-driven Cyber defense.

After spending close to 15 years at Microsoft, today he works as a consultant, helping organizations tackle complex AI and cybersecurity challenges and implement effective automated solutions. His work combines strategic leadership with hands-on technical expertise, supporting clients in optimizing security operations and driving innovation bridging both the technical and human aspects of security. He has led development of various advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence based cyber threat detections enhancing the organization’s defenses through sophisticated threat analysis and detection strategies, helping prevent potential breaches as well as the financial and operational consequences they would entail. Jessen was a member of the founding Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) team,

contributed to defending against nation-state attacks, ransomware campaigns, and supply-chain breaches that shaped the global cybersecurity landscape. He has led global SOC teams and has authored numerous blogs on critical cybersecurity topics, delivering impactful guidance that has proven valuable to cybersecurity professionals and everyday users.

Jessen has previously held several industry-recognized certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CCNA CyberOps, CWNA, and ISO 27001-certified professional demonstrating a strong grounding in security governance, operations, and threat response. His expertise in 8 different SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solutions and advanced computer forensic investigation training thwarted various advanced cyberattacks and mitigated large-scale data breaches helping organizations safeguard critical systems and sensitive information. Jessen always believed that true cybersecurity extends beyond firewalls and systems — it begins at home. His extensive experience leading red-team exercises, risk assessments, and SOC leadership has given him a deep appreciation for one simple truth: the most vulnerable systems are not machines, but unprepared minds.

When he’s not at work, he loves dedicating his time to building and supporting the local community. He founded and leads a community initiative that now unites over 30,000 residents — a remarkable citywide network that has helped families rebuild after hardship, supported mothers in need, reunited lost pets with their owners, clothed and fed the homeless, raised awareness of local issues, and created safe spaces for mental health support. This thriving movement has inspired neighbors to lift one another through acts of kindness. In addition, he mentors young people, coaches high school students on career development, and gives talks on cybersecurity, demonstrating that true leadership blends vision with compassion in action.

For Jessen, this book is not just a guide — it’s a commitment to every parent who feels unprepared to protect their child online. It distills two decades of professional expertise into practical, relatable insights that any caregiver can apply. From understanding cyberbullying and phishing to nurturing digital discipline, Jessen brings both the precision of a cyber security expert and compassion to every parent.

That realization inspired him, together with Mr. Anand Shinde, to write “Smart Parent’s Guide to Cybersecurity.” Both cybersecurity professionals have seen firsthand how today’s digital world surrounds children with opportunity and risk in equal measures.

He firmly believes that cybersecurity begins with conversation — between parents and children, between technology and trust. Through this book, Jessen and Anand invite parents everywhere to join that conversation and take an active role in shaping a safer, smarter digital future for their families.

For questions on cybersecurity, technology strategy, or career coaching, Jessen can be reached directly at https://www.jessenkurien.com.