When Technical Expertise Meets Human Connection

“My connection to entrepreneurship developed organically. I see myself more as an ally to entrepreneurs and community builders”. 

~ Aby Rao

‍

Aby’s Story

At first glance, cybersecurity, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship have nothing in common. But for Aby Rao, these worlds intersect through a shared purpose: helping people connect, create, and build something meaningful. 

‍

Aby Rao hails from Morrisville, NC and wears many hats.  As a Deputy CISO, mentor, filmmaker, and film festival director, his interests span both technical and creative worlds. With nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity and technology, he has built a career helping organizations navigate complex digital risks. Beyond his work in cybersecurity, he is deeply interested in how people communicate ideas, share experiences, and use technology to make a meaningful difference. 

Aby’s path hasn’t followed one straight line, and that’s part of what makes his approach to entrepreneurship interesting. He doesn’t see himself as someone who needs to own a business to contribute to the entrepreneurial community. Sometimes, the most valuable role is helping someone else bring their vision to life.

‍

Where It All Began 

Let’s rewind to 2004, where Aby worked in coding and user experience development. What started as an interest in building digital experiences eventually led him into cybersecurity & cyber risk. His work involves helping people make informed decisions about the technology they use and the risks they take. 

‍

An Ally to Entrepreneurs 

“One important lesson is that the best contribution is not always leading from the front.” 

~ Aby Rao

‍

Over time, Aby learned that making a difference doesn’t always mean being the person leading the way. Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do is connect two people, ask a question that helps someone see things differently, or open a door they didn’t know was there. Even helping someone avoid a costly mistake can make a true impact.

For him, being an ally means recognizing that every entrepreneur has different needs, and knowing that you don’t have to be the one in charge to help someone move forward.

For a small business owner, protecting customer information might not be the first thing on their mind. They're busy finding customers, getting their product out into the world, and figuring out what comes next. But keeping that information safe is part of building something people can trust. Aby wants to help entrepreneurs understand those risks and protect what they're working so hard to create. 

And that brings us to one of his biggest interests: storytelling.

‍

Lights, Camera, Action

Aby didn’t have one specific job title in mind growing up, just something creative and meaningful. Looking back, he feels proud of the path he’s created for himself, even if it doesn't look exactly how he might have imagined it as a child. Today, he’s making films, connecting with people in his community, and growing his creative projects on his own terms. He realized that he doesn’t have to move to Los Angeles to be part of the film world. Instead, he  found a way to make space for creativity right here, building his projects at his own pace and on his own scale. Being able to sustain that creative work while connecting with others is a meaningful part of bringing his childhood dreams to life.

But filmmaking is about more than making something for the screen. It can also give people a chance to share experiences that might otherwise go unheard.  

To understand the experience of a refugee or immigrant is to understand the adversity, resilience, and courage that come with building a new life.  Aby began his journey to the U.S. in his early 20’s. His lived experience guided his passion to co-found the “Home Is Distant Shores” Film Festival. The regional film festival celebrates the stories and lived experiences of immigrants and refugees through short films exploring migration, identity, resilience, and the meaning of home.

The festival brings these stories to life through documentary, fiction, and animation, giving audiences the chance to experience different perspectives on the big screen. 

‍

So, What’s Next? 

More building, exploring, and finding new ways to put technology to good use! Aby is especially interested in the possibilities of AI and how it can be used responsibly to solve problems, support creativity, and make everyday life a little easier. For Aby, building means creating something that serves a purpose, solves a problem, and makes a difference in people’s lives.

For entrepreneurs who are still figuring out where to begin, Aby’s advice is simple: start small. He believes this is an exciting time to explore entrepreneurship, with access to more tools, funding opportunities, and resources that can help people get started. You don’t need a perfect plan or every resource in place to take the first step. Find a few customers, make use of the tools and resources already available to you, and just talk to people. Those conversations can open doors, introduce you to new perspectives, and help you figure out what your idea actually needs.

‍

What Makes Someone Truly Successful? 

“Success for me is being happy and content with what I’m doing,” Aby shared.

For him, success isn’t about reaching one particular title or arriving at a finish line. It’s about recognizing when you’re in a good place and making room for the people and experiences that bring something positive into your life. When things become discouraging, he believes it’s important to check in with yourself and find your way back to your “happy space.”

Family and giving back to the community are a big part of that happiness. His parents, in particular, keep him grounded. Aby left India at 22 and had to navigate a new country without an established support system. He deeply admires the sacrifices his parents made to give him that opportunity, and he wants to give back as much as he can in return.

That sense of gratitude is reflected in the life he has built. From his career in cybersecurity to his work in film and the connections he’s made throughout his community, Aby has found ways to bring together different interests while creating something meaningful. 

‍

The Results Are In

With interests spanning cybersecurity, AI, filmmaking, and community building, Aby has a lot of different pursuits to draw from. So when he took echo’s Entrepreneur Personality Test, he guessed he would be “The Wildcard”.  It made sense to him. Looking back at his projects, he saw a mix of analytical and creative thinking, technical work and people skills, and moments spent collaborating with others alongside work that requires focus on his own.

But his results revealed “The Amplifier”.

Amplifiers know how to communicate their “why,” draw people into an idea, and give their work a story worth following. Given Aby’s interest in filmmaking and his belief that cybersecurity needs more storytelling, the result fits.

He still sees personality as more complicated than one category. People can be a combination of different types, with certain traits showing up more strongly than others. Perhaps that’s the point: the label is a fun way to reflect on how you work, not a box you have to stay inside.

‍

Find Your Community at echo 

Every entrepreneur has their own flare. For Aby, that combination includes technical leadership, honoring your roots, creative expression, and a commitment to helping others grow.

Whether you are building a business, developing an idea, or supporting someone else’s vision, there is value in sharing what you know and learning from the people around you.

Aby’s story is a reminder that there is no “one size fits all” strategy to entrepreneurship. At echo, we believe that Entrepreneurs Build Entrepreneurs, and that is what moves the needle. 

‍

You do not have to build alone.

‍

“My connection to entrepreneurship developed organically. I see myself more as an ally to entrepreneurs and community builders”. 

~ Aby Rao

‍

Aby’s Story

At first glance, cybersecurity, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship have nothing in common. But for Aby Rao, these worlds intersect through a shared purpose: helping people connect, create, and build something meaningful. 

‍

Aby Rao hails from Morrisville, NC and wears many hats.  As a Deputy CISO, mentor, filmmaker, and film festival director, his interests span both technical and creative worlds. With nearly two decades of experience in cybersecurity and technology, he has built a career helping organizations navigate complex digital risks. Beyond his work in cybersecurity, he is deeply interested in how people communicate ideas, share experiences, and use technology to make a meaningful difference. 

Aby’s path hasn’t followed one straight line, and that’s part of what makes his approach to entrepreneurship interesting. He doesn’t see himself as someone who needs to own a business to contribute to the entrepreneurial community. Sometimes, the most valuable role is helping someone else bring their vision to life.

‍

Where It All Began 

Let’s rewind to 2004, where Aby worked in coding and user experience development. What started as an interest in building digital experiences eventually led him into cybersecurity & cyber risk. His work involves helping people make informed decisions about the technology they use and the risks they take. 

‍

An Ally to Entrepreneurs 

“One important lesson is that the best contribution is not always leading from the front.” 

~ Aby Rao

‍

Over time, Aby learned that making a difference doesn’t always mean being the person leading the way. Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do is connect two people, ask a question that helps someone see things differently, or open a door they didn’t know was there. Even helping someone avoid a costly mistake can make a true impact.

For him, being an ally means recognizing that every entrepreneur has different needs, and knowing that you don’t have to be the one in charge to help someone move forward.

For a small business owner, protecting customer information might not be the first thing on their mind. They're busy finding customers, getting their product out into the world, and figuring out what comes next. But keeping that information safe is part of building something people can trust. Aby wants to help entrepreneurs understand those risks and protect what they're working so hard to create. 

And that brings us to one of his biggest interests: storytelling.

‍

Lights, Camera, Action

Aby didn’t have one specific job title in mind growing up, just something creative and meaningful. Looking back, he feels proud of the path he’s created for himself, even if it doesn't look exactly how he might have imagined it as a child. Today, he’s making films, connecting with people in his community, and growing his creative projects on his own terms. He realized that he doesn’t have to move to Los Angeles to be part of the film world. Instead, he  found a way to make space for creativity right here, building his projects at his own pace and on his own scale. Being able to sustain that creative work while connecting with others is a meaningful part of bringing his childhood dreams to life.

But filmmaking is about more than making something for the screen. It can also give people a chance to share experiences that might otherwise go unheard.  

To understand the experience of a refugee or immigrant is to understand the adversity, resilience, and courage that come with building a new life.  Aby began his journey to the U.S. in his early 20’s. His lived experience guided his passion to co-found the “Home Is Distant Shores” Film Festival. The regional film festival celebrates the stories and lived experiences of immigrants and refugees through short films exploring migration, identity, resilience, and the meaning of home.

The festival brings these stories to life through documentary, fiction, and animation, giving audiences the chance to experience different perspectives on the big screen. 

‍

So, What’s Next? 

More building, exploring, and finding new ways to put technology to good use! Aby is especially interested in the possibilities of AI and how it can be used responsibly to solve problems, support creativity, and make everyday life a little easier. For Aby, building means creating something that serves a purpose, solves a problem, and makes a difference in people’s lives.

For entrepreneurs who are still figuring out where to begin, Aby’s advice is simple: start small. He believes this is an exciting time to explore entrepreneurship, with access to more tools, funding opportunities, and resources that can help people get started. You don’t need a perfect plan or every resource in place to take the first step. Find a few customers, make use of the tools and resources already available to you, and just talk to people. Those conversations can open doors, introduce you to new perspectives, and help you figure out what your idea actually needs.

‍

What Makes Someone Truly Successful? 

“Success for me is being happy and content with what I’m doing,” Aby shared.

For him, success isn’t about reaching one particular title or arriving at a finish line. It’s about recognizing when you’re in a good place and making room for the people and experiences that bring something positive into your life. When things become discouraging, he believes it’s important to check in with yourself and find your way back to your “happy space.”

Family and giving back to the community are a big part of that happiness. His parents, in particular, keep him grounded. Aby left India at 22 and had to navigate a new country without an established support system. He deeply admires the sacrifices his parents made to give him that opportunity, and he wants to give back as much as he can in return.

That sense of gratitude is reflected in the life he has built. From his career in cybersecurity to his work in film and the connections he’s made throughout his community, Aby has found ways to bring together different interests while creating something meaningful. 

‍

The Results Are In

With interests spanning cybersecurity, AI, filmmaking, and community building, Aby has a lot of different pursuits to draw from. So when he took echo’s Entrepreneur Personality Test, he guessed he would be “The Wildcard”.  It made sense to him. Looking back at his projects, he saw a mix of analytical and creative thinking, technical work and people skills, and moments spent collaborating with others alongside work that requires focus on his own.

But his results revealed “The Amplifier”.

Amplifiers know how to communicate their “why,” draw people into an idea, and give their work a story worth following. Given Aby’s interest in filmmaking and his belief that cybersecurity needs more storytelling, the result fits.

He still sees personality as more complicated than one category. People can be a combination of different types, with certain traits showing up more strongly than others. Perhaps that’s the point: the label is a fun way to reflect on how you work, not a box you have to stay inside.

‍

Find Your Community at echo 

Every entrepreneur has their own flare. For Aby, that combination includes technical leadership, honoring your roots, creative expression, and a commitment to helping others grow.

Whether you are building a business, developing an idea, or supporting someone else’s vision, there is value in sharing what you know and learning from the people around you.

Aby’s story is a reminder that there is no “one size fits all” strategy to entrepreneurship. At echo, we believe that Entrepreneurs Build Entrepreneurs, and that is what moves the needle. 

‍

You do not have to build alone.

‍