I’m Bhumi Patil, a senior security engineer based in Bengaluru, India. I work within the commercial division, where I focus on build-time security efforts and application security. Outside of work, I’m a new mom to an amazing 11-month-old who keeps me on my toes, and I’m married to my biggest supporter. We love planning trips together to explore different cultures and get to know the world. If I don’t address the security challenges, I’m chasing my baby at home or dreaming about my next mountain adventure.
My journey to safety wasn’t exactly planned. Early in my career I wanted to do something more meaningful. I was fortunate that a director took the time to understand my career aspirations rather than just focusing on completing the work. He asked me a simple question: “What do you want your career to look like?” I told him I wanted to make things safe. That conversation changed everything, he guided me on how to approach a security team, and from there I started learning on my own. I looked for projects and even asked teams to let me work with them as an intern. I built myself up in addition to my regular responsibilities.
When I look back now, I build things that really give me satisfaction.
How has GoDaddy supported you during your maternity leave?
Imagine announcing to your manager that you are pregnant and only six months into a new job. I was nervous going into the conversation, but his response told me everything I needed to know about GoDaddy’s culture.
He was genuinely excited for me. He said: ‘Business continues as normal! You have to take care of your family first. We will be there to support you.’
When you get that kind of support, you actually want to go back. I chose not to extend my maternity leave because I wanted to come back, not out of pressure or obligation, but because this felt like a place I really wanted to be. It’s another space where I belong, where people have my back.
How has motherhood changed the way you approach your work?
It has taught me so much about prioritizing. With a baby you quickly learn what is really important and what can wait. Focus time becomes precious, so make every minute count.
I now apply the same formula to my work. Being a mother means constantly multitasking, but only with the things that really matter. I have become more conscious about where I spend my energy, both at home and in my security work. That clarity has actually made me more effective, not less.
What are you most proud of about working at GoDaddy?
First, I’m building an AI-powered Dependabot partner that helps our security team prioritize thousands of vulnerability alerts. Picture this: you have a large number of alerts all screaming, “FIX ME NOW!” My system prioritizes issues based on actual risk, likelihood of exploitation, and upgrade efforts required. When a teammate tells me they finally feel like they can focus on what’s important instead of drowning in noise, that’s the reward.
Second, I work on GitHub Actions security at an industry level, not only for GoDaddy, but also contributing to the way organizations think about preventing supply chain attacks. The idea came from my manager, but I’m proud that I contributed to it. Supply chain attacks are one of the biggest threats facing our industry today, and it makes sense to know that our work can help protect organizations beyond our own walls.
What aspects of GoDaddy’s culture do you appreciate most?
GoDaddy has given me a platform to explore and innovate. My manager is my biggest advocate for trying new things. He often says, “The normal things will get done by whoever keeps the lights on. But we need to do something better than our usual bread and butter work.”
What I like is that it’s not about adding stress. It’s about being able to choose what you want to do. You are empowered, not pressured.
There’s also something fundamental about GoDaddy that I haven’t seen anywhere else. You will be assessed on four components and Join Forces is one of them. That shows a deep belief that when many people come together, they achieve great things. It’s not one person building alone while everyone else watches.
‘Work courageously’ is not just a slogan here. They genuinely encourage you to get your hands dirty, to try things without thinking too much about the immediate benefit. They put their trust in you first.
What might people be surprised to learn about you?
I am deeply focused on improving who I am as a person, rather than accumulating material things. I spend a lot of time thinking about personal growth. I listen to podcasts about life insights and think about how I stand up for people.
This is what I really care about: I want people to feel positive energy when they talk to me. It’s not about performing for others; the point is that this kind of presence is really important to me. As technology grows, I feel like we are becoming less authentic and less connected as people. That makes me sad. So I try to intentionally add warmth to my interactions, whether it’s with my team, my family, or anyone else I meet.
Maybe that’s unexpected for a security engineer, but I think protecting systems and caring for human connection aren’t all that different. Both require attention to what really matters.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
Keep your thirst for learning open, it will take you to the right place.
Moreover, technology is constantly changing. Don’t chase the technology itself; chase the concepts behind it. Languages and frameworks will evolve, but the fundamentals of how systems work, how to think about problems, how to approach security – those principles remain relevant. That foundation is what takes you further.
What is your personal mantra?
Looking for balance.
As someone who juggles security challenges at work with a curious 11-month-old at home, balance isn’t something I achieve once and keep forever. It’s something I actively look for every day. Some days I get it right and some days I don’t. However, the chase itself keeps me grounded.
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