Nithin Varam is a seasoned Product Line Manager with over a decade of experience in driving product development, cloud security solutions, and identity-based technologies. Currently at Palo Alto Networks, Nithin has been instrumental in building and launching innovative cloud security products, leading cross-functional teams, and managing complex product portfolios. His expertise spans product ownership, problem discovery, customer engagement, and technical implementation, making him a valuable asset in the cybersecurity domain.
Palo Alto Networks, Santa Clara, CA – Product Line Manager (June 2016 – Present)
At Palo Alto Networks, Nithin built a 0-1 product in Cloud Secure Web Gateway (SWG), driving its inception and successful launch to establish a strong market presence with hundreds of customers. As the product owner for Prisma Access Cloud SWG and previously for User-ID and Authentication on PAN-OS, he conducted problem discovery, developed product requirements, and managed release cycles.
He has successfully launched industry-first features to secure organizations from identity-based attacks, such as phishing and data exfiltration. Nithin significantly reduced customer onboarding time through the development of the Cloud Identity Service, which securely synchronizes sensitive customer data across on-premises and cloud directories.
He has steered teams through critical vulnerabilities, including a CVSS 10-level vulnerability, and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in merging engineering and field-facing expertise. His efforts in evangelizing products at company conferences, webinars, and demos have helped shape product vision and strategy. Nithin has also forged and enhanced partnerships within the Identity space to improve product offerings.
Amazon, Seattle and San Jose – Product Manager-Technical / Software Development Engineer-II
Prior to Palo Alto Networks, Nithin served as a Product Manager and Software Development Engineer at Amazon, where he played a key role in launching merchant registration features for “Login and Pay with Amazon” on Shopify’s platform. He coordinated the rollout of OAuth2.0-based authentication solutions for the EU market and introduced A/B testing capabilities for “Pay with Amazon” across multiple regions.
Nithin effectively communicated product vision and roadmaps to engineering, marketing, sales, and senior leadership, building consensus across teams for new metrics and data analytics infrastructure. He led a team of engineers to deliver Amazon Webstore Mobile Checkout under tight deadlines and scoped features for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of “Pay with Amazon” mobile SDKs.
Skills and Expertise
- Cloud Security: Proven experience in building cloud security products, including Cloud SWG and identity-based solutions.
- Product Development: Strong background in product lifecycle management, from problem discovery to post-launch activities.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Expert in merging engineering and field-facing expertise, managing complex product portfolios, and navigating customer escalations.
- Customer-Centric Solutions: Focused on reducing onboarding times, securing sensitive data, and enhancing user experiences across various platforms.
- Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of software development, data analytics, and cloud technologies, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable solutions.
Nithin Varam’s work is characterized by his ability to drive innovation, align technical and business teams, and bring cutting-edge security features to market. His dedication to product excellence makes him a leader in the field of cloud security and application management.