Amit Basu walked into a bank to become a pioneering software developer, only to set sail years later for the greater freedom offered by the maritime industry. “Ironically, it wasn’t the domain but the technology that drew me in. While banks were still running older systems, this company was deploying the latest in database platforms. That technical edge attracted me and, as it turns out, anchored me,” says Basu who is now CIO and CISO at International Seaways, which owns and operates a large fleet of seagoing vessels to transport crude oil and refined petroleum products worldwide.
But Basu hasn’t spent his career chasing the latest new shiny thing in tech. The lure that catches his attention is the opportunity to solve increasingly more difficult business problems. He enjoys puzzling out a solution that is usually part tech but rarely just tech.
Grabbing Opportunity With Both Hands
Basu joined a large commercial bank in India in the late 1980s as a software developer right at the onset of banking computerization in the country. He was part of a pioneering team that designed and implemented core banking applications for branch operations.
“It was my first encounter with the direct impact of technology, writing programs that real users depended on to serve real customers. Watching my code in action, powering everyday banking transactions, instilled in me a belief that has guided me ever since: I don’t want to be just a technologist; I want to be a solution provider enabling business to excel. And for that, I need to understand what the business needs, in their language,” he says.
If there’s one industry where one can learn the universal language of business, it is banking and finance. And Basu learned it well. In banking IT, through the mid-1990s, before stepping into the intriguing challenges presented to him in an organization that built software for international banks. While there, he worked on real-time, network-based banking systems designed using relational databases.
Amit Basu, International Seaways
“The early challenges of optimizing system performance on constrained hardware, and ensuring data security and integrity, pushed me into learning the intricacies of relational databases. I learned database administration skills, experimenting with configuration and performance tuning inside out, and that expertise became my launchpad into the bigger world,” he says.
From there, he segued to an American bank as a database administrator and moved to the US in 1994. A year later, he made another move: this time to another industry rather than another country. He kept the position of database administrator, but this time as a contractor.
“Maritime, in those days, was a greenfield for IT, and I took the opportunity with both hands. One of my early successes was implementing the first computers and LAN onboard ships, connecting to shore over satellite and developing data replication systems that crew onboard used to enter data,” Basu explains.
Moving Up and Onward
Basu has spent the last three decades in Maritime IT. He transitioned from contractor to a full-time role in 1998 and over time progressed into leadership roles, first as deputy head of IT, then CIO, and today, CIO and CISO at International Seaways.
Over the years, he engineered multiple digital transformations, starting with ERP, then data warehouse and business analytics, cloud computing and SaaS, creating multi-layered cybersecurity frameworks, and now, the AI revolution.
His secret to always moving up in his career? “I’ve always remained focused on creating value for the business and delivered technology that helps the business achieve its goals and gain competitive advantage,” he says.
Yes, we can all agree that is a smart way to progress in IT. But what did that look like from Basu’s point of view? It’s a long and eventful story, he says, but it begins and ends with a mentor who can help you build a strong foundation.
“I entered the world of IT as a rookie developer, knowing only the syntax of some computer languages but nothing about software development. The person who transformed that beginner into someone capable of designing complex business systems was my senior at the bank, Mr. Narayana Bhat. He taught me the ABCDs of application design and development with clarity and purpose. Whatever I’ve built over the years rests on the foundation he gave me, and for that, I remain deeply grateful,” Basu explains.
Career Highlights
Several milestones stick out in Basu’s mind as well. The first was one of many filed under the requirement to “just make it work!” Most of the time, that’s much easier said than done.
In one early example, he led a team that successfully deployed an online network-based retail banking solution for a bank in Indonesia. “The entire system ran on hardware with just 32 MB of memory and limited CPU, but we made it work because we believed that with smart design and efficient databases, even the toughest constraints could be overcome,” he says.
He points to another proud moment in 2013 when he championed one of the earliest cloud adoption strategies for the sector. You may recall that in those early days, many scoffed at the notion of cloud computing. But his willingness to step up and embrace it paid off later in an unexpected scenario.
“That decision proved invaluable. In 2020, during the global health pandemic, our CEO, Ms. Lois Zabrocky, publicly acknowledged on national television that the company’s ability to remain 100% productive from day one was made possible by the foresight to move to the cloud years earlier. That was a deeply gratifying moment, both personally and professionally,” he says.
In recent years, he has focused extensively on building a multi-layered cybersecurity framework to protect the company from increasingly sophisticated adversaries. He takes pride in what has been accomplished so far to secure the company’s ships, data, and operations across global waters.
Even with so many objective and measurable accomplishments on his resume, he points to mentors and leaders as huge influences on his professional development and undertakings.
“As I reflect on the last decade in particular, I must admit that every major accomplishment I have had during this period has been inspired and supported by the leadership of our CEO, Lois Zabrocky. Her leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence have not only inspired me but pushed all of us to go beyond our limits and excel beyond our capabilities to take the company forward,” he says.
People, more so than tech, can push one’s career to and beyond one’s wildest dreams.
But what was the most important lesson he takes from the people who inspired him and the experiences he has had?
“A key lesson I’ve learned over the years is that providing the business with a timely solution that enables it to achieve its goals is far more valuable than delivering a technically perfect product after the opportunity has passed. Technology holds little worth unless it directly meets the needs of the business,” he says.
But that doesn’t mean he’s skipping past the details on any deployment. Currently, he’s focusing on using AI and automation to enhance both operational efficiency and cybersecurity resilience.
“At the same time, I am deeply focused on strengthening our cyber defense posture across both our offices and our global fleet, with particular emphasis on securing the IT and OT environments onboard our ships,” he says. Maritime cybersecurity is inherently complex and constantly evolving. Basu works to stay ahead of the curve by deploying multi-layered security frameworks and tools tailored to his industry’s unique needs.
He does step away from his work on occasion to recharge and hone his creative, problem-solving brain.
“In my downtime, I enjoy exploring the vast world of wine. I’m particularly curious about the specialties of different varietals, how terroir influences the wine, and how winemaking traditions vary across regions. Whether it’s visiting a vineyard, reading about wine culture, or simply tasting something new, I find it both relaxing and intellectually engaging,” Basu says.
Basu as Mentor and Influencer
Basu is quick to pay it forward and offers words of wisdom to young people considering a leadership path in IT:
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Understand the business first, then apply technology as an enabler. The ability to connect technology to real business problems is what defines effective IT leadership.
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Stay curious. Technology is always evolving, and continuous learning is essential to stay relevant.
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Build trust. Whether it’s with stakeholders, team members, or partners, trust is your most valuable currency. Lead with integrity and never lose sight of the people side of leadership.
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Don’t chase titles, chase impact. Focus on creating value, and recognition will follow.
Basu is also a strong believer in collaboration and professional networking, especially in the context of cybersecurity. He says the threats we collectively face today are too complex and fast-moving for any one individual or organization to tackle alone.
“I believe in the power of community in sharing insights, learning from peers, and building trusted partnerships across industries. In line with that belief, I actively engage in industry forums, conferences, and professional communities. Contributing to the broader cybersecurity ecosystem is, to me, both a responsibility and a privilege,” Basu says.
