Raja Sambandam

Raja Sambandam became the State Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with the creation of the Office of cybersecurity in 2023. Prior to this position he served as the CISO and Interim Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Information Techology.

As an Information Technology professional, he brings more than 20 years of experience in Information Technology and business in the areas of Banking, Finance, Taxation, Healthcare, and Manufacturing.

Before joining the DoIT team, Mr. Sambandam held the role of Chief Risk and Security Officer for the Taxation and Revenue Department (TAX) where he established the Security, Risk, and Compliance functions for TAX. In addition, he oversaw TAX’s Internal Audit Function.

Prior to TAX, Mr. Sambandam was the Vice President and Director of Technology and Operational Audit for Vantiv (now known as WorldPay/FIS). He was responsible for Vantiv’s Technology and Operational Audit, Risk, IT Governance, and Compliance functions and further established the company’s new Internal Audit Function meeting SEC, SSAE16, SOX, PCI compliance, and FFIEC mandates.

Mr. Sambandam earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Madras, India, and received his master’s degree in Management from South Dakota State University. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), and he holds CISA, CRISC, CTGA, and CISSP certifications.

Mr. Sambandam is a resident of Albuquerque, he is happily married to Latha, and is blessed with a son and a daughter. He spends his spare time traveling with his family and wonderful pets.