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In the fast-paced world of digital dining, where every tap and click counts, one name is making waves as the unsung hero behind the scenes: Sivakumar Vinayagam.
This visionary developer is cooking up code and crafting secure solutions to protect your dining dollars from cyber threats.
From cozy cafes to upscale eateries, Vinayagam’s innovative approach reshapes how restaurants safeguard your transactions and preserve your peace of mind.
Vinayagam’s journey into the world of restaurant tech began with a simple yet powerful vision: to create a seamless and secure dining experience for both customers and establishments alike: “I aim to make life easier and better by helping businesses attract more customers, and their customers have a better experience,” he says.
“I want to show them that technology is not something to be feared; instead, it can enhance and improve income, the overall restaurant experience, and customer satisfaction. Embracing technology can significantly benefit both their operations and their patrons.”
Vinayagam, who is from India, first developed his passion for electronics when he was a boy: “We couldn’t afford a computer, and I had to learn at school on the one machine they had,” he recalls.
“But once I started using one I was hooked. I got to pursue and explore the computer sciences. That’s where my initial curiosity got me into software, and then engineering.”
He went on to further develop his expertise in software development and a passion for innovation at university, attending Anna University, in Chennai, where he achieved a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering.
Now the Lead Systems Architect with Netmasons and it’s service Securetree, the renowned Software Engineer has been instrumental in driving technological advancements and delivering high-quality software solutions.
His role encompasses hands-on coding, leading teams, managing projects, and ensuring that all deployments achieve high performance and reliability.
Vinayagam brings a unique combination of electronics and communication engineering expertise coupled with a software engineering career.
“I specialize in writing software that integrates seamlessly with electronics,” he reveals.
“This dual experience allows me to understand and address issues effectively, providing comprehensive solutions and troubleshooting problems as they arise.”
Durga Chandraraj has witnessed firsthand how this combination can make a difference in the arena of engineering and cyber threats.
As Engineering Manager at Cognizant Technology Solutions, he collaborated with Vinayagam on product development at Exela, previously known as SourceHov.
Image credit: Netmasons/Securetree
Speaking of Vinayagam’s engineering skills, Chandraraj says: “He consistently goes above and beyond to debug and identify the root cause of software issues encountered as bugs in the production environment.
‘Shiva has the expertise to navigate multiple systems, create sample data, and replicate scenarios. This approach gives clients confidence that the project is being thoroughly monitored and analyzed for potential issues. His approach minimizes cyber threat problems.”
Speaking to Vinayagam’s forward-thinking attitude and unique ability to create complex systems, Chandraraj says, “On one occasion, we worked on an online billing management system for suppliers of truck manufacturers in the USA, handling sensitive and critical data. While different to restaurants, it is a great example of the need to protect delicate intel.
“Shiva introduced the concept of a chat feature for the customer portal and the secure FTP transfer of large files between B2B. His focus on secure data transmission was exemplary, as he effectively distinguished between essential and excessive information, presenting it in a granular and accessible way.”
Mohanraj Gandhi, who worked with Shiva in Chennai, India, also commends his problem-solving skills regarding security: “Shiva emphasizes the privacy and security of financial data, clear communication with end users, and supports new initiatives with a positive attitude.”
Vinayagam has made it his mission to tackle the challenges the culinary industry faces with security in an increasingly digital landscape.
He says: “There’s often a perception that these systems are too complex to master. However, by fostering a culture of security awareness and understanding, restaurants can empower both employees and customers to actively protect gift card assets from fraud.
At the heart of Vinayagam’s solutions lies a deep commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to combat cyber threats.
“My role is to ensure that our cybersecurity measures are robust and effective in protecting our customers from fraud,” says Vinayagam.
“These protections prevent bad actors from exploiting gift card systems, safeguarding our customers and the businesses we serve.”
Vinayagam leaves no stone unturned in his quest to stay one step ahead of malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in restaurant transactions, from encryption algorithms to machine learning-powered fraud detection systems.
It is just as well because he reveals fraud is not unusual: “Gift card scams are unfortunately quite common. Scammers often call, pretending to be from reputable organizations like utility companies or government agencies, and use scare tactics such as threatening arrest to pressure you into buying gift cards for them.
“Once you purchase the gift card and provide them with the details, they quickly use or transfer the balance and then disconnect, making it nearly impossible to retrieve the funds.”
To combat this, he has implemented several cybersecurity measures to protect customers.
Each gift card has a unique 12-15 digit number, which you can use to check its balance on our website.
However, scammers sometimes use automated scripts to guess these numbers and access the card balances.
But Vinayagam has devised a method to prevent this: “If multiple attempts to access card balances are detected from the same computer, we can throttle the traffic, impose rate limits, and prevent further access.
“We also monitor for unusual activity, and if a particular merchant or customer is targeted frequently, we ramp up our security validations.”
Vinayagam understands that the best solutions are born from collaboration. To understand their unique needs and challenges, he works closely with culinary connoisseurs, including chefs, restaurateurs, and industry experts.
“By forging partnerships based on trust and mutual respect, I can ensure that solutions are not only technologically advanced but also practical and user-friendly,”: he notes.
One size does not fit all in the world of restaurant tech, and Vinayagam knows this better than anyone.
He works with nearly 1000 clients across the US, including restaurants in Indiana and Texas.
Vinayagam also supports the establishments of the Altamarea Restaurant Group which has properties worldwide.
Whether it’s a cozy neighborhood diner or a bustling metropolitan hotspot, Vinayagam’s solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing systems and workflows, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.
“We work with a number of different businesses, and there is no one-size-fits-all all solution. However, we have one common goal for each client – that the experience is continuously better than before for the restaurant owners and their diners.”
In an era of increasing cybersecurity threats, Vinayagam prioritizes security in everything he does. His solutions are built with security in mind, from robust encryption protocols to stringent access controls.
“We have implemented multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing gift card management systems,” he reveals.
“Regularly monitoring transactions for unusual activity, such as multiple balance inquiries from the same IP address is one way I can see if an attack is happening.
“I also set up alerts for suspicious behavior to detect and promptly respond to potential fraud attempts.”
Vinayagam adds: “By staying ahead of the curve and proactively addressing emerging threats, I can ensure that a customer’s dining dollars are safe and sound, no matter where they choose to dine.”
He envisions technology as a catalyst for positive change, safeguarding restaurants and their diners while changing the face of multiple experiences.
Such is his passion for his work, Vinayagam is now actively making moves to empower and educate the next generation in software engineering.
He mentors and judges children from his home in India through a scholarship program, providing computers and training for 30 students so they can consider a career in software development: “This is something I am very passionate about,” he reveals.
“It gives the next generation opportunities, and I want them to experience what I love.”
He adds: “I have a vision that technology can make a huge impact not only in the culinary world but other business areas. I want to reshape how businesses safeguard their income.”
As this landscape continues to evolve, Vinayagam remains steadfast in his commitment to innovation and excellence.
“I will always continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” he says, “exploring new technologies and methodologies to enhance experiences for all.”
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