With nearly two decades of industry experience, Pankaj Bhandula stands out as a seasoned Software Engineer and Architect, having worked with global technology giants including Microsoft, Adobe, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). A graduate of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Pankaj holds a Master’s degree in Technology, specializing in advanced computing and system architecture.
Industry Leadership and Microsoft Experience
At Microsoft, Pankaj served as a Technical Lead and Principal Engineer, where he played a pivotal role in the Windows Storage and File System components. His technical leadership contributed significantly to multiple major Windows releases, including:
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Windows 10
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Windows 8.1
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Windows Server 2012 R2
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Windows Server 2016
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Windows Server 2019
His work addressed mission-critical areas like storage integration, filesystem optimization, security patching, and performance tuning, impacting billions of users worldwide. Pankaj’s deep expertise in Windows Kernel, proprietary debugging tools, and storage/file system infrastructure earned him industry-wide recognition.
Cloud Security Expertise at Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
Currently, Pankaj is part of the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Security Group, where he works on the Key Management Service (KMS)—a core offering for OCI’s enterprise security. His focus includes:
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Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
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Cloud-based digital certificate management
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Hardware Security Modules (HSMs)
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Cloud-native encryption key lifecycle management
He designs and implements secure, scalable, and high-performance encryption solutions, helping enterprises manage cryptographic assets with enhanced control and transparency in cloud environments.
Patents in Cloud-Based Key Management
Pankaj’s innovation is reflected in his intellectual property, with two U.S. patent applications filed in May 2024:
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U.S. Patent Application No. 18/662,434 – KMS Dedicated HSM Design (Claiming Ownership)
Empowers customers to assert cryptographic ownership over dedicated HSMs in OCI. -
U.S. Patent Application No. 18/662,429 – KMS Dedicated HSM Design (Direct Access)
Enables secure, low-level direct access to HSMs for enhanced cryptographic performance.
Thought Leadership and Vision
Pankaj Bhandula is known for solving complex challenges in operating systems, cloud security, and distributed architectures. His commitment to building secure, innovative, and high-performing software systems defines his professional ethos. He is passionate about knowledge sharing, thought leadership, and collaboration to drive innovation in the evolving tech ecosystem.