In this episode of Security & GRC Decoded, host Raj Krishnamurthy sits down with Mukund Sarma, Deputy CISO and Head of Product Security at Chime, to explore what happens when governance, risk, and compliance teams work with engineering instead of against it. Mukund shares real-world lessons from a decade in security, explaining how to balance shift-left initiatives, build paved paths that reduce friction, and make compliance a natural byproduct of great engineering. This is a masterclass in aligning security, GRC, and DevOps for scale and sanity.
5 Key Takeaways
- GRC isn’t a blocker—it’s a mirror that keeps security honest and accountable.
- Strong security engineering automatically strengthens compliance outcomes.
- Friction between security and engineering fades when empathy drives collaboration.
- “Shift left” works best when paved paths and automation support developers.
- Practical controls and continuous validation create sustainable, scalable governance.
What You’ll Learn
- How to bridge silos between security, GRC, and engineering teams.
- Why automation and continuous control monitoring are the future of compliance.
- What “practical controls” really mean in modern DevSecOps environments.
- How empathy and communication transform security culture.
- Why compliance should follow great security engineering, not lead it.
- Real-world examples from Chime’s approach to product security.
This podcast is brought to you by ComplianceCow — the smarter way to manage compliance. Automate evidence collection, eliminate screenshots, and scale your program with confidence. Learn more: https://www.compliancecow.com
Watch more episodes: https://www.compliancecow.com/podcast
Connect With Our Guest:
Mukund Sarma | Deputy CISO and Head of Product Security | Chime
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarmamukund/
Rate, review, and share if you enjoyed the show!
Subscribe to Security & GRC Decoded wherever you get your podcasts:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5pigcMwOrYIA6d9OOOsxqr
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/security-grc-decoded/id1795144450?i=1000736617569
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.