Areas of Expertise
Kanishk advises various ministries of the Central Government such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), NITI Aayog (Formerly Planning Commission) and the National Security Council Secretariat (Prime Minister’s Office) on Digital Expansion, Cyber Laws, Strategy, Policy, Governance, Data Protection and Security Emerging Technology (5G, IoT/OT).
With over 18 years of experience, Kanishk is a leading voice from the cybersecurity domain. During his association with the field of cybersecurity, he has advised/helped organisations to protect themselves against advanced threats, online harms and misinformation. His expertise, in the field of cybersecurity, has helped organizations across sectors safeguard their digital assets.
Kanishk is an expert in matters of cyber defence and security, providing guidance on cybersecurity and advanced threat intelligence to governments and companies. He has advised global defence and security companies and works closely with governments on cybersecurity strategy. His expertise helps clients protect their critical assets and critical infrastructure from emerging cyber threats.
Years of working with and advising governments, tech related issues and on emerging technologies has endowed Kanishk with extensive experience in public policy. Kanishk always makes it a point to put forward his views, especially when comments, on the same, are invited. He has also helped organisations put forward their views, on policy matters.
Kanishk is an expert in matters concerning international trade and cyber diplomatic relations and has advised companies, across industries, in the said field. He provides guidance on development and compliance to security policies such as European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), responds to cyber incidents and is involved in training of stakeholders for best practices in cyber security.
Using his rich experience of working in the field of technology, Kanishk helps his clients understand the nuances of the ever-changing digital technology space. He advises companies and governments on how to implement security standards and ensure compliance of the same. At a macro level these efforts help in building a safer Internet for all.
Engagements
With Governments
With the Industry
With Global Development Agencies
With Not-for-Profits
Media
Inside Global Cyber Scam Networks: Organized Fraud, AI Threats, and Digital Safety
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, revealed how international cybercrime syndicates operate corporate-style scam centers across Southeast Asia, orchestrating loan app fraud, pig-butchering investment scams, and digital arrest schemes. He warned that AI-driven cyberattacks could threaten India’s critical infrastructure, including power grids and UPI systems, urging stronger cybersecurity measures, financial safeguards, and public awareness.
AI Superintelligence Raises Human Safety and National Security Concerns, Warns Expert
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, warned that rapidly advancing AI superintelligence could operate beyond human control, posing serious risks to public safety, critical infrastructure, and digital privacy. He called for stronger AI safety laws, clear accountability frameworks, and safeguards against deepfakes, misinformation, and AI-driven election interference to prevent misuse of emerging technologies.
From Dating Scams to Deepfakes: How Cybercriminals Exploit Digital Trust
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, warned that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting dating apps, AI-generated deepfakes, sextortion, and leaked personal data to target individuals and businesses. He highlighted how fake profiles, malware-infected files, and dark web data breaches enable blackmail and financial fraud, urging stronger privacy safeguards and greater public awareness.
India’s Semiconductor Security at Risk Without National Cyber Strategy, Warns Expert
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, warned that India’s semiconductor ecosystem remains vulnerable due to gaps in national cybersecurity policy, offensive cyber capabilities, and hardware supply chain protection. He called for a dedicated tri-services cyber command, stronger public-private partnerships, and the designation of semiconductor infrastructure as national critical infrastructure to safeguard against malware, backdoors, and emerging cyber threats.
Prophecy or Pitch? The AI Doom Debate
An Anthropic researcher’s resignation and a 10% warning have split opinion. Is AI’s own builders’ alarm a genuine call to act, or a pitch the industry has every reason to make? Our take on the News9 debate.
Who Guards the Machine?
The people building AI are the ones warning it could end humanity. Critics ask a harder question: where are the safeguards? Read what was said on News9 and why the debate is far from settled.
Published Work
Dr Kanishk Gaur Recognized with Rising Star Award at Inaugural Asian Founders Awards
Dr Kanishk Gaur, founder of Athenian Tech, was honored with the Rising Star Award at the first-ever Asian Founders Awards in Leicester, recognizing his impact in technology and online safety. Inspired to launch Athenian Tech after helping a victim of an online fake profile scam, Dr Gaur established the firm to build AI-driven solutions protecting individuals and businesses from digital threats, emphasizing that online security is a universal issue affecting everyone.
Athenian Tech Expands AI Cybersecurity In Indonesia
Athenian Tech has partnered with Indonesia-based PT Duta Firza Mulia to strengthen AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities across the region. Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, says, “Indonesia is one of the fastest-growing digital economies in the world, and with that growth comes new cyber, AI risk, and misinformation-driven threats. Our partnership with PT Duta Firza Mulia marks a major step in expanding our capabilities in Southeast Asia. Together, we aim to strengthen how governments and critical industries detect, respond to, and stay ahead of emerging cyber and AI-enabled risks”.
Inside The Dark Web: How Telegram Became Paper Leak Hub In India
Athenian Tech’s Threat Intelligence Report reveals how fraud networks on Telegram and the dark web exploited exam anxiety, selling fake or leaked papers for major exams including NEET, UPSC, and SSC CGL for amounts ranging from $60 to $500 in Bitcoin.
Is WhatsApp’s New Username Feature About Privacy or Monetisation?
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, said true protection against impersonation requires robust biometric validation, noting that alphanumeric handle reservations without rigorous cryptographic authentication remain a stop-gap measure that fails to secure public trust against identity fraud.
Tata Electronics Cyberattack Exposes Supply Chain Risks Across Electronics Sector
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, said the Tata Electronics data breach reflects how modern cyberattacks have evolved into AI-enabled extortion campaigns increasingly targeting third-party suppliers across the electronics and semiconductor supply chain.
Debate Continues on Rules Governing AI Use in Courts
Dr Kanishk Gaur, CEO of Athenian Tech, highlighted the positive move of the Supreme Court drawing a clear line between AI as a tool and AI as a decision-maker, noting that India has taken a step on judicial AI governance that many countries are still debating.
Let’s Connect
- kanishk@indiafuturefoundation.com
Let’s Connect
- kanishk@indiafuturefounation.com