When Harika Rama Tulasi Karatapu speaks at the IEEE International Conference on Cloud Computing this June, she brings more than a résumé. She brings a decade of experience designing secure and scalable systems for enterprise clients. Her focus on SaaS Networks has helped organizations meet low latency, multi-tenant, multi-cloud, scalable, data protection, and operational performance.

She leads Network Security architecture initiatives at Google Cloud and advises clients on navigating complex scalability needs. Her presentation will share methods for building cloud networks that center trust from the beginning. Her shift from technical delivery to public speaking reflects a career shaped by problem-solving and results.

A recent study found that 95 percent of organizations experienced cloud-related network security issues in the past 18 months. Identity mismanagement and configuration errors were the top causes, often leading to vulnerabilities in network access and data flow within cloud environments.

"I used to focus on supporting break/fix while I was a Solutions Engineer," she says. "When an Enterprise customer's POC was stalled by critical networking and security issues, I swiftly re-architected their system in just one week. This experience underscored a crucial lesson: network architecture and security aren't afterthoughts; they are the foundational pillars necessary for true scalability and long-term stability."

Recognition Rooted in Technical Work

IEEE selected Karatapu as a speaker following her 2024 Platinum Award from the Titan Business Awards. This honor recognized her contributions to Networking and security of cloud engineering for Enterprise and Greenfield clients.

Since 2022, she has led Network architecture for over a dozen cloud migration projects. She works directly with executives to shape infrastructure that meets HIPAA, GDPR, etc., and other compliance standards. Her designs reduce delays, support scale, ensure security, and enable faster product launches.

She served as the principal network architect for Google's SaaS Accelerator program. Her work focused on secure SaaS deployments using AI and multi-cloud environments, helping enterprise and startup teams accelerate their cloud strategy.

"Security works best when it's part of the Network design," she says. "When teams build it in early, they move faster later."

Turning Complexity into Clarity

Karatapu has published Google Cloud documentation on Private Service Connect, Network security, and hybrid connectivity. She helped develop internal revenue modeling tools to guide infrastructure and budget planning.

"The biggest challenge is helping decision-makers understand risk clearly," says an industry expert. "Harika helps translate complexity into action."

She leads knowledge-sharing programs at Google and mentors new engineers during onboarding. She presents regularly at events like RSAC and SaaStr, explaining advanced security topics using real-world examples.

"When I explain network security, I focus on what helps people make confident decisions," she says. "Clear language builds understanding."

A Role Shaped by Execution

Karatapu advises clients during Network and Security planning and contributes to executive engineering discussions. She began her career at Infosys and AWS, then earned advanced routing and infrastructure security certifications. At Google, she supports clients transitioning from legacy systems to cloud-based platforms.

She develops technical content for Google Cloud's networking series and publishes research on hybrid connectivity and zero-trust frameworks. She shares her work through events like IEEE Cloud and RSAC, showing how secure systems can support growth in regulated industries.