Akesh Damaraju

Akesh Damaraju: Engineering New Security Solutions for Cloud and 5G Network Protection

In today’s digital world, keeping networks and cloud systems secure is more important than ever. With cyber threats increasing and new technologies like 5G changing the way people connect, companies need strong security systems to protect data and ensure smooth operations. Akesh Damaraju has played a major role in building these protections. His work in cloud security, cybersecurity, and 5G network protection has not only improved security at DISH Network but has also helped set new industry standards for securing large-scale networks.

Strong Educational Background in Cybersecurity

Akesh holds two Master’s degrees, one in Cybersecurity and another in Computer Information Systems. These degrees gave him deep knowledge of cloud security, cyber risks, and modern security frameworks. His education, combined with years of real-world experience, has allowed him to design and implement cutting-edge security systems that protect large networks.

Akesh Damaraju’s Role in ORCID and DISH 5G: Driving Innovation in Telecommunications

The Open RAN Center for Integration & Deployment (ORCID) at DISH Network is a major breakthrough in the telecommunications industry. It is the first real-world testing and deployment center designed to ensure that Open RAN technology is fully secure, interoperable, and scalable for 5G networks. ORCID was created to help telecom companies move away from traditional, closed-network systems and adopt Open RAN, which allows multiple vendors to collaborate in building flexible and cost-effective networks. Because of its importance, the U.S. government awarded ORCID a $50 million grant, recognizing it as a crucial innovation in the future of 5G security and network development.

What ORCID Achieved for Telecommunications

Before ORCID, telecom providers relied on proprietary (closed) network systems, making it difficult to integrate components from different vendors. This limited innovation, increased costs, and slowed down 5G network deployment. ORCID solved these challenges by:

✅ Creating a Secure and Open Testing Environment: Companies can now test their 5G equipment in a real-world setting before launching it on live networks, ensuring that everything works together securely and efficiently.

✅ Enabling Faster 5G Deployment with Open RAN: By allowing different vendors to integrate their components into a single 5G network, ORCID eliminated dependency on proprietary technology, accelerating nationwide 5G expansion.

✅ Setting New Security Standards for Open RAN: ORCID introduced advanced security protocols to protect 5G networks from cyber threats, ensuring safe and reliable nationwide 5G connectivity.

DISH 5G: The First Cloud-Native, Open RAN-Based 5G Network in the U.S.

DISH built the first 5G network in the U.S. that is fully cloud-native and Open RAN-based, meaning that it runs entirely on virtualized cloud infrastructure rather than traditional hardware-based systems. This approach makes the network more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective compared to older telecom networks.

Why DISH 5G is a Game-Changer

🔹 Scalability & Flexibility: Unlike traditional 5G networks, which rely on fixed hardware, DISH’s cloud-native model allows for seamless scaling and faster updates, making it more adaptable to new technology.

🔹 Multi-Vendor Integration with Open RAN: DISH partnered with leading Open RAN vendors like Fujitsu, Mavenir, and VMware to build a fully interoperable 5G network, eliminating reliance on a single equipment provider.

Akesh Damaraju’s Role: Securing ORCID and DISH 5G for the Future of Telecommunications

As a key security expert at DISH, Akesh played a critical role in designing the security framework for ORCID and ensuring that DISH 5G was protected from cyber threats. His work directly contributed to making ORCID the first-of-its-kind testing center for Open RAN security and deployment.

Key Contributions to ORCID and DISH 5G Security

✅ Developed New Security Standards for ORCID’s 5G Testing Environment

• Created a new secure cloud-native infrastructure for ORCID, ensuring that vendors could safely test their Open RAN components before deployment.

• Implemented encryption, identity verification, and real-time monitoring to protect sensitive 5G test data from cyber threats.

• Ensured that ORCID met national security standards (NIST, ISO 27001), making it a trusted model for Open RAN security.

✅ Ensured Compliance with Government and Industry Standards

• Helped DISH meet FCC and national security requirements, ensuring that its 5G rollout remained compliant and secure.

• Worked with DISH’s cloud security team to implement real-time threat monitoring, strengthening the overall security of the company’s cloud infrastructure.

The Impact of ORCID and DISH 5G on the Telecom Industry

🔹 ORCID is now an industry-wide testing and security center for Open RAN, helping telecom companies worldwide test and validate their 5G security protocols.🔹 DISH’s Open RAN security model is now referenced by other telecom providers and vendors, proving that Akesh’s work has had a broader impact beyond his employer.🔹 Government agencies and industry leaders recognize ORCID as a breakthrough in Open RAN deployment, reinforcing its importance in future telecom security.