SaviTalk Ep. 1: Turning Obsession Into Innovation – Saviynt CEO Sachin Nayyar’s Identity Security Story

AI is changing the entire nature of identity security — fast. From self-authenticating apps to machine-first access control to Agentic AI. Saviynt has always been on the forefront of change in identity security. And now, more than ever, is the time for the best thinkers to come together for the good of organizations worldwide—as we face increasing and evolving cyber threats targeting identity. 

In this landscape, we’ve launched our podcast, SaviTalk, with a bold mission: to spark the real conversations that will drive the change our industry needs right now. 

This isn’t your average tech podcast. It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s funny, and sometimes on purpose. 

Episode 1: The Future of Identity Security with Saviynt CEO Sachin Nayyar

In this explosive premiere, our hosts — identity thought leaders Simon Gooch, Jim Routh, David Lee, and Henrique Teixeira — sit down with someone who lives and breathes identity security – quite literally. Saviynt CEO Sachin Nayyar doesn’t golf, paint, or collect cars. “I have no hobbies,” he says. “All I know is identity.” That singular focus built one of the most successful identity security companies in the world.

This episode goes deep – into the future of identity, the role of AI, and into the origin story of a visionary founder who turned obsession into innovation. Watch the episode now: saviynt.com/savitalk

The Journey: From Immigrant Roots to Industry Icon

Sachin’s story begins in India, where he shared that he lived with his entire extended family under one roof, a reflection of the deep community values that continue to guide him today. He proudly calls out his hometown in the episode. He then immigrated to the United States as a young man, hungry for opportunity and driven by a desire to solve real-world problems. His early career at Ernst & Young (EY) sparked a fascination with enterprise systems and identity governance – especially the inefficiencies and risks within identity and access management. 

That spark became a fire. 

He went on to launch Vaau, a pioneering company focused on identity governance, which was later acquired by Sun Microsystems. But Sachin wasn’t finished. He took the lessons from that journey – and the pain of early failures – and doubled down. “I remember every detail of the projects that failed,” he shares. “They shape you.”

The relentless desire to build something better gave rise to Saviynt – and what would become one of the most advanced identity platforms on the market. 

Key Takeaways

• AI is upending identity — and that's a good thing. Get ahead of the curve or get left behind.
• Access governance isn’t dying — it’s evolving into the core fabric of enterprise architecture.
• Failures shape innovation. Sachin’s early career struggles turn into the blueprint for creating industry-changing solutions.
• Talent is everything. Saviynt’s secret sauce? Culture and community.

Episode Overview

• Evolution of identity security and why legacy approaches fall short
• How AI will transform provisioning, governance, and authentication
• What’s coming next from Saviynt — including the tease of a powerful new product: ISPM
• Real talk about motivation, humility, failure, and purpose
• Plus, Simon boldly claims he’s the best-looking on the show (and no one denies it)

Words of Fire from Sachin Nayyar, SaviTalk Episode 1

On AI

"AI is changing everything … Someone told me recently: ‘You should sell your company – applications will be self-authenticating and self-authorizing soon. What will be your work?’ And I said — self-authenticating based off of what? Some metadata, some rules, some identity. We’ll manage that. We’ll manage the AI engine making those decisions. We are integral to the fabric of access management and it’s now more important than ever.” 

On Growth, Learning and Culture

“For the project I didn’t complete successfully, I remember the names of the roles, how the Excel sheets were set up and what we were trying to do. I don’t remember all of the details of the successful projects, but the one we couldn’t complete successfully, I remember each and every detail. … I still remember the first loss, when Jim Routh here didn’t select Saviynt for his company. It was a gut punch. And the second company, when Jim Routh took us out of the company altogether. I remembered and learned.” 

“Talent development is my biggest job. Attracting and developing talent. I think of myself as an organizational architect more than a security or technology architect now. Making sure they have a good career path.”

“I’m an eternal optimist. I believe in people. I believe in this mission. And I’m doing some of my best work now.”

More episodes coming your way! Subscribe now to be a part of other exciting identity security conversations!