For Akhila Plavida Unnikrishnan, cybersecurity is a field driven by curiosity, problem-solving, and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

That curiosity has shaped a career that began in operations and evolved into a hands-on role supporting Forte’s cybersecurity efforts. Today, as a Security Analyst at Forte Opening Solutions, Akhila helps protect the people, information, and trust that keep the business moving forward.

Her role includes supporting monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, and security-awareness training. While much of that work happens behind the scenes, Akhila sees its value in what it makes possible for others across the organization.

“Security is often invisible—the best outcome is when nothing bad happens, and no one notices,” she says. “What makes this work meaningful to me is knowing that quiet work protects real people: our employees who can do their jobs without disruption and our customers who trust us with their business.”

A Career Built on Curiosity

Akhila’s interest in technology began with her education in computer science, followed by a master’s degree in computer applications. She started her professional career as an Operations Analyst at Infosys in India, building a foundation in analytical thinking, systems, and process.

She later joined Forte as an Administrative Analyst in the company’s London, Ontario office. As she grew more familiar with the organization and continued exploring her interest in cybersecurity, she saw an opportunity to pursue work that combined her technical background with the type of investigation and continuous learning she enjoys most.

What began as curiosity about how systems work—and how potential risks can be prevented—became a deliberate next step in her career. Akhila earned her Google Cybersecurity Certificate and is currently working toward her CompTIA Security+ certification as she continues developing her knowledge and experience in the field.

The pace and variety of cybersecurity are part of what keeps her engaged. Every challenge brings something new to understand, investigate, and work through. For Akhila, that ongoing opportunity to learn is one of the most rewarding parts of the role.

Growing at Forte

Mentorship and teamwork have played an important role in Akhila’s growth at Forte.

She credits Frank Barrett, Vice President of Information Technology, and Matthew Trummer, Director of Cybersecurity, with supporting her development as she moved into a more specialized role. Their guidance has helped her build confidence, strengthen her skills, and continue pursuing a long-term path in cybersecurity.

Akhila also values the partnership within Forte’s cybersecurity team, including Senior Security Engineer Justin Petersen. The team’s willingness to share knowledge, collaborate through challenges, and support one another has created an environment where she can continue to grow.

That sense of teamwork is one of the things Akhila appreciates most about working at Forte. Her role gives her the opportunity to connect with people across the business, learn from different perspectives, and see how her work contributes to the organization in practical ways.

“The variety keeps me engaged,” she says. “Having supportive teammates who take security seriously makes the hard days worth it.”

A Thoughtful Approach to Partnership

Akhila’s work requires a balance of technical knowledge, sound judgment, and careful attention to detail. She has learned the value of taking the time to understand the full picture—asking questions, verifying information, and looking beyond an immediate issue to identify what can be improved moving forward.

That mindset also shapes the way she works with others across Forte. Akhila sees the strongest outcomes as the result of partnership: people bringing their perspectives together early, asking questions openly, and finding practical solutions that support the needs of the business.

She values being a resource for colleagues across the organization—someone who can help make a complex consideration feel more understandable and manageable. Whether she is working with a team on an immediate concern or helping shape awareness initiatives, her goal is to make security a supportive part of the conversation rather than something separate from the work at hand.

This collaborative, people-centered approach has become an important part of how Akhila contributes to Forte. It helps build trust across teams while allowing her to bring the curiosity, care, and problem-solving mindset that first drew her to the field.

Looking Ahead

As Akhila continues her career at Forte, she is focused on growing toward a future role in security engineering. She is excited by the opportunity to continue building her technical knowledge, strengthen Forte’s proactive approach to security, and help the organization prepare for what comes next.

At the center of those goals is the belief that progress comes from learning and working together. Akhila sees cybersecurity as a field that is always evolving, and she is motivated by the opportunity to grow alongside it while contributing to a stronger, more resilient Forte.

“In cybersecurity, every alert is a puzzle and every choice matters,” she says. “My goal is to turn security into a collaborative partnership, where we aren’t just reacting to threats, but staying ahead of them together to protect the future of Forte.”

Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Akhila enjoys spending time with family and traveling. She also recharges through painting, gardening, and music—creative outlets that offer a welcome balance to the analytical and fast-moving nature of her role.

Through her curiosity, commitment to learning, and collaborative approach, Akhila is continuing to build a meaningful path at Forte while helping strengthen the organization for the future.