The Founder
Ashwameth Ravilla
Founder & Principal Advisor, DARS LLC · Washington D.C.–Maryland–Virginia
Most cybersecurity advisors come from one background — either technical, compliance, or legal. DARS brings all three.
What Makes DARS Different
Three Pillars of Expertise
Technical Foundation
B.Tech in Information Technology, Anna University. The work starts with understanding how systems are built — and how they break. Security isn't an afterthought; it's engineered from the ground up.
Legal & Regulatory Perspective
LLM in International Information Technology Law from Robert Gordon University. Understanding why regulations exist, how they interact across jurisdictions, and how to interpret them in practice — not just check boxes against them.
Global GRC & Audit Experience
Close to two decades leading IT security audit and governance programs across healthcare, banking, telecom, transport, and consulting — in the USA, UK, Dubai, and India. Different cultures, different regulatory environments, one consistent standard of assurance.
Why DARS Exists
Closing the Gap
After years leading security and GRC programs at organizations like MedStar Health and advising clients through Deloitte, I saw a pattern: organizations with 1–100 employees were either overpaying for Big 4 advice they didn't need, or getting generic MSP services that didn't address their real risks.
Healthcare providers protecting patient data. Nonprofits safeguarding donor information. Small businesses trying to win contracts that require compliance certifications. Government contractors navigating CMMC. They all needed the same strategic guidance that larger organizations get — just right-sized for their reality.
DARS — Digital Assurance & Resilience Services — was founded to close that gap. To bring enterprise-grade expertise to organizations that deserve it, at a price that respects their budgets, with a commitment to transparency and honest guidance — even if you don't need us.
Experience
Career Timeline
Credentials
What Each Certification Means for You
CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Your security program is designed by someone who understands the full spectrum — from network architecture to access control to cryptography. Not just policies on paper.
CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor
Your compliance assessments and audit preparations are led by someone trained to think like an auditor — because I am one. No surprises when the real audit happens.
CDPSE Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer
Your privacy program isn't an afterthought — it's engineered into the governance framework from day one. HIPAA, GDPR, state privacy laws — built in, not bolted on.
PMP Project Management Professional
Your security program build stays on track, on scope, and on budget. Structured delivery with clear milestones — not open-ended consulting that drifts.
All certifications are held individually by the founder — not by DARS LLC as a corporate entity. COBIT framework expertise is applied across all governance engagements.
Education
Academic Foundation
LLM in International Information Technology Law
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland
Understanding the legal foundations behind information security regulations. International privacy law, data protection frameworks, and the intersection of technology and legal compliance across jurisdictions.
B.Tech in Information Technology
Anna University, Chennai, India
The technical foundation. Systems architecture, network security, cryptography, and secure software development. Building security from the engineering layer up.
Honest guidance — even if you don't need us
Start with a free tool. If you need more, we're here. If you don't, you've still walked away with something useful.
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