SANTA CLARA, Calif. iMerit, a global leader in data solutions for artificial intelligence, has appointed Colonel Georgeo Xavier Pulikkathara, a decorated U.S. Army veteran, as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The August 20 announcement reflects the companys effort to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure at a time when the handling of sensitive data has become central to the future of AI applications in government, healthcare, and finance. Pulikkatharas career spans more than three decades across both military and civilian sectors. In the U.S. Army Reserve, he currently serves as CIO and CISO for the 81st Readiness Division, overseeing IT operations for more than 50,000 soldiers and civilians across 247 facilities in nine states. He has been awarded two Bronze Stars, signaling distinguished performance during deployments in complex environments where cybersecurity and operational discipline intersected with national security needs. In parallel, he has built a civilian career holding senior IT and cybersecurity positions at Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, RBC Capital Markets, AIG, DataStax, and Avanade. His dual-track experience gives him a unique perspective on the overlap between defense-grade security protocols and commercial-scale data operations. His academic and professional qualifications further reinforce that expertise. Pulikkathara is a Ph.D. candidate in cybersecurity at National University, holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned a BBA from the University of Houston. He also maintains a suite of professional certifications CISSP, CISM, CISA, CDPSE, PMP, ITIL, and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer among them underscoring a lifelong investment in bridging governance, compliance, and practical cyber defense. At iMerit, Pulikkathara will lead global cybersecurity strategy, with responsibility for ensuring that data services meet stringent international standards including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and TISAX. CEO Radha R. Basu said the hire comes as clients increasingly demand proof that AI service providers can meet the same security benchmarks expected in banking, healthcare, and defense industries. Georges deep experience in securing complex information environments will be a critical asset as we continue to scale and serve clients in increasingly regulated sectors, she noted. His leadership will amplify our commitment to data integrity and client trust, which is the bedrock of safe AI innovation. Pulikkathara himself emphasized iMerits mission alignment with his own professional philosophy. I find great value in iMerits commitment to data security in a fast-moving global world of AI, he said. A proactive stance ensures both compliance and trust, paving the way for responsible AI innovation. He added that iMerits distributed footprint across multiple continents gives it a rare opportunity to implement military-style rigor in how cybersecurity is managed at scale. The appointment reflects a broader trend of veterans with deep operational experience moving into corporate leadership roles, particularly in cybersecurity. As cyber threats escalate and regulatory frameworks tighten, companies are looking for leaders who understand both the stakes and the systems required to mitigate risk. Military officers accustomed to protecting sensitive information under conditions of national security pressure often translate well to environments where billions of dollars in intellectual property and client trust are at risk. For iMerit, this strategic move could bolster its reputation as a trustworthy partner for institutions wary of data breaches and compliance failures.