I am Gaurav Hirani, a technology leader with over 21 years of experience in building, scaling, and operating large, mission-critical digital platforms. I currently serve as General Manager, where I lead cloud strategy, platform engineering, security, reliability, and automation across complex IoT environments.

I have been deeply involved in delivering IoT platforms that support tens of millions of users and devices, consistently achieving 99.99% availability, strong security compliance, and meaningful cost optimization through FinOps-driven cloud governance. My experience spans multi-cloud and cloud-agnostic architectures, DevSecOps, SRE, AIOps, CI/CD transformation, and observability.

My academic background includes a B.E. in Computer Science, LL.B., PG from IIT Roorkee, MBA from IIM Indore, and NTU Singapore. I am passionate about building high-performing teams and bridging technology with business outcomes—helping organizations evolve from delivery-focused engineering to scalable, resilient, and outcome-driven platforms.

Professor Ajay Singh is a globally recognized thought leader in cybersecurity, quantum computing, AI and digital transformation, with over 40 years of experience in the IT industry. A former CEO of an award-winning fintech company, he is a certified corporate director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

He serves as Corporate Advisor and Mentor to organizations worldwide, and since 2019 has been a Visiting Professor at leading management institutes, appointed Professor of Practice in 2024. He is also the Editor of QDayReady.com, a portal dedicated to advancing awareness of quantum-safe systems.

A prolific author and sought-after speaker, his forthcoming book Cyber Storm: Unleashing the Power of Quantum Computing and AI has just been published by Universities Press, Orient BlackSwan. Professor Singh is a Member of India’s National Quantum Mission Task Force, the Academic Advisory Board of Pace University (New York), and the IEEE Committee on Cybersecurity for Next Generation Connectivity Systems

Dr Lalit Gupta, fondly known as The Cyber Doctor, is a globally recognised cybersecurity and AI-governance leader with over 25 years of experience across technology, risk, and policy domains. He currently serves as President of the Cyber Security Council for India (CSC), where he spearheads national efforts in building a digitally resilient, secure, and ethical cyber ecosystem.

Dr Gupta’s journey in cybersecurity began in the late 1990s, driven by a vision to transform security from a reactive necessity into a strategic enabler of business growth and national resilience. As one of the founding members of CERT-In (India’s National Computer Emergency Response Team), he helped establish the foundational incident response frameworks, governance protocols, and operational processes that continue to shape India’s cyber-defence landscape today.

Over the years, his work has spanned BFSI, FinTech, aviation, government, and emerging-tech sectors, where he has consistently promoted cyber-resilience over mere protection, advocating that true cybersecurity safeguards not only data but also human life, trust, and societal stability.

Lt Colonel Nishant Singh (Retd), is an alumnus of IIT Delhi, served in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals for 21 years. Currently, he is the Chief Operating Officer of Gramax, GMR Group. Before joining GMR, he was carrying out the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Ministry of External Affairs. He has over 25 years of experience in the Cyber Security domain, specializing in Information and Communication Technologies, Operational Technology, and Information Security and Cyber strategies. As a cyber strategist, he offers cybersecurity roadmaps and policies and cyber risk management, Data protection advice to organizations. He has made significant contributions to Operational Technology (OT) security in the aviation sector. Nishant has led cybersecurity operations, risk management, policy compliance, and capacity building for the Ministry of External Affairs, including overseeing the cyber security posture of 200+ Indian embassies and consulates worldwide. Additionally, he has trained cyber warriors in the Cyber wing of the Indian Army and foreign armies and advises several government agencies on various aspects of cyber risk management. He has also effectively contributed to policy-making with the Govt of India. He is recognized as a thought leader, a mentor, and an artist.

Anuj Agarwal, Chairman – Supreme Court, Cyber, Data Privacy and AI BAR Association, is a seasoned cybersecurity and cyber law expert with extensive experience in cybersecurity consulting, digital forensics, privacy law, and cybercrime investigation. He is widely recognized for his work in IT security audit, policy development, and compliance frameworks (including GDPR, HIPAA, NIST, and cyber compliance models), and for shaping cybersecurity strategies for both public sector organisations and private enterprises.

He also serves as Chairman of the Centre for Research on Cyber Crime and Cyber Law, where he leads thought leadership, research, and training initiatives in cybercrime investigation, digital evidence, and legal compliance. Anuj is actively engaged as a trainer for law enforcement agencies and government institutions, delivering expert sessions on cybercrime, cyber law, AI regulation, data privacy, and digital investigations across educational and judicial platforms.

With a strong focus on capacity building and digital safety, Anuj regularly conducts workshops and interactive sessions with police departments, academic institutions, and industry professionals. He is known for his commitment to spreading cybersecurity awareness, including initiatives to teach cyber safety and digital security skills to underprivileged communities — reflecting his belief in empowering youth and building resilient digital citizens.

A respected voice in the cybersecurity and legal domain, Anuj engages with a wide professional audience through media appearances and thought leadership platforms, sharing insights on cyber risk management, cyber laws, data protection, artificial intelligence governance, and the evolving threat landscape.

Nirmesh Kumar is a seasoned Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Leader with over 24 years of experience in the IT industry. A former Deputy General Manager at HCL Technologies, he has led large infrastructure, cloud, and data center operations across the US, UK, Germany, and Singapore.

A Certified Data Protection Officer (DSCI) with cybersecurity training from IIT Madras, Nirmesh specializes in Privacy by Design (PbD), data protection compliance, and secure enterprise architecture. In 2023, he founded Bandiz Technoz Pvt. Ltd., delivering data privacy consulting and Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) 2023 compliance solutions for Indian and global organizations.

He combines deep technical expertise in cloud, compute, storage, and cybersecurity with strong strategic acumen in corporate finance and digital risk management.

About Me: Sandeep Arora is a passionate technologist who sees AI as a force for meaningful, positive change. At Capgemini, he heads telecommunications platform, shaping next-generation connectivity and driving sustainable global growth. He has held leadership roles at Verizon, Expedia, and Wipro, where he built global capability centers, modernized mission-critical platforms, and led large-scale transformations that advanced enterprise agility and performance.

Ms. Khan is a legal expert and advocate specialising in cybercrime, digital fraud, and complex financial offences, with over a decade of practice in high-stakes legal environments. She has served as Counsel in the Attorney General’s Office and as a Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of India, bringing enforcement-side insight to regulatory and institutional decision-making. She brings a practitioner’s perspective to emerging cyber threats examining not only statutory and investigative frameworks, but also the social-engineering tactics that enable digital coercion and psychological compliance. Rushda advises corporates on governance, incident response, and regulatory exposure, and is actively engaged in advisory and academic work on emerging cyber risk, legal strategy, and compliance

Mourtaza Fazlehoussen serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at FORTEIA, where he leads global cybersecurity strategy, AI governance architecture, and regulatory readiness initiatives across industrial and enterprise ecosystems.

With a strong foundation in enterprise IT architecture and digital transformation, Mourtaza specializes in building security-first organizations anchored in zero-trust principles, risk-based governance, and compliance-by-design frameworks. His leadership integrates cybersecurity controls directly into AI systems, enabling responsible AI deployment, operational resilience, and cross-border regulatory alignment.

At FORTEIA, he drives enterprise-grade AI governance frameworks, ISO-aligned security architecture, regulatory compliance strategy, secure multi-agent AI systems, and industrial cybersecurity modernization. He positions cybersecurity not as a control function, but as a strategic growth enabler that strengthens trust, scalability, and competitive advantage.

Mourtaza is recognized for bridging executive governance, technical depth, and international regulatory landscapes. His mission is to architect secure, intelligent, and globally scalable enterprises where AI and cybersecurity operate as a unified discipline.

Over 27 years of experience in Engineering, Consulting and Technology helping business build products, increase revenue and market share, enhance branding and lower Operational costs.

An Enthusiastic initiative-taker, goal-driven achiever, motivated collaborator with a creative and progressive attitude.

In-depth exposure to collaborating with people across the globe with deep understanding on cultural differences, communication style and motivational factors.

Understand difference in customer priorities, environment, and sales tactics in Developed and Emerging markets for Cybersecurity.

Currently working with Microsoft Security division, helping build security software for the world.

Author of Risks in Digital Transformation book, Indias Digital Personal data protection act. Ashish has published various articles and blogs on Cybersecurity.

Work closely with leading Universities globally, Government and Telcos, and Cybersecurity leaders in ensuring safe and secure digital economy

Rajarshi Dhar is a seasoned growth strategist and security market specialist, currently serving as an Associate Director, Global Security Advisory at Frost & Sullivan, where he leads the security advisory practice across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. With over a decade of experience in research, market intelligence, and consulting, Rajarshi brings a deep understanding of complex technology and security ecosystems, including cybersecurity, OT security, and physical security markets.

At Frost & Sullivan, he partners with technology vendors, service providers, systems integrators, and enterprise clients to drive strategic growth initiatives — from market entry and expansion to portfolio optimization and go-to-market strategy. He has played a pivotal role in delivering high-impact consulting engagements, thought leadership studies, and advisory insights that help organizations navigate emerging risks, identify growth opportunities, and make data driven decisions.

Prior to his current role, Rajarshi held analyst and consulting positions, leading market research and advisory projects across cloud, unified communications, and cybersecurity, working with both Fortune enterprises and high-growth startups. He holds an MBA in Marketing from the New Delhi Institute of Management and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics & Communication from North Maharashtra University.

Mr. Amey Subhash Lakeshri stands at the forefront of cybersecurity and data privacy, championing a vision built on proactive, resilient, and adaptive digital security practices. With over 15 years of experience, he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to helping organizations safeguard critical data while navigating the constantly evolving cyber threat landscape with confidence and clarity.

His leadership is driven by a thorough understanding of the complex challenges businesses face in the fields of information security and privacy. He combines strategic thinking with deep technical expertise and a focus on delivering practical, results-oriented solutions. Mr. Lakeshri believes that a successful cybersecurity strategy must balance risk management, regulatory compliance, and forward-looking technology to support secure and sustainable business growth.

Mr. Lakeshri has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor, helping organizations across industries strengthen their cybersecurity posture and navigate complex regulatory environments. His extensive experience spans all areas of cybersecurity, including cyber forensics, incident response, data privacy, and compliance. His focus remains on implementing practical solutions that drive business success.

As a seasoned cybersecurity consultant and strategist, Mr. Lakeshri has led the development and implementation of comprehensive information security programs and privacy frameworks. His areas of expertise include Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), offensive and defensive security, cyber forensics, ransomware investigation, and malware detection and prevention.

He has a unique ability to translate complex business problems into effective information security controls aligned with organizational goals. His methodology emphasizes not only risk mitigation but also the creation of security frameworks that enable innovation while maintaining compliance and stakeholder trust. He advocates for cyber resiliency as a key component of modern business strategy, emphasizing the importance of anticipating threats, adapting quickly, and recovering effectively to ensure business continuity.

Kriti Sharma is recognized among India’s Top 100 Tech Lawyers by the Forbes Legal Powerlist and brings 17 years of experience in technology law, data privacy, and regulatory governance. She has served as Data Protection Officer and Chief AI Governance Officer for Southeast Asia, advising organizations on Digital Personal Data Protection Act implementation, AI governance, and cross-border regulatory compliance. Most recently, she was Director – Head of Regulatory, Legal & Compliance (Southeast Asia) at Dun & Bradstreet. Kriti holds a Master’s in Law & Finance from the University of Oxford

Ravi Subbiah is a Managing Partner – Cyber Security based in Chennai with extensive experience in cybersecurity strategy, governance, and enterprise risk management. He advises CXOs and leadership teams on strengthening cyber resilience, improving cyber risk posture, and aligning security programs with business and regulatory priorities

Vijayakumar is the CISO of NSE Clearing Ltd. He has more than 25 years of experience primarily in the BFSI segment. He has worked in various domains of cyber security and also has experience in consulting, technology audits and IT. He is a Chartered Accountant and CISM

Sukrit Ghosh is currently working with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) as Director, spearheading industry engagements, key business verticals and professional trainings. With a core of management and technology, he brings a rich and relevant work experience in the domains like cybersecurity & privacy advisory, digital transformation &analytics, and 360° integrated marketing and communications. He has trained more than 50K professionals in cybersecurity and privacy and mentored more than 2000 marketing and communication professionals.

Sukrit possesses over 15+ years of work experience. Prior to joining DSCI, he had a long stint with DXC Technology, India.He is an avid learner with a zeal to learn, unlearn and relearn to stay relevant in today’s dynamic VUCA business world.

With his extensive experience, he brings a good mix of relevant process knowledge across various organizational functions, strategic foresight and planning backed by research and technology know how, and optimized decision-making and analytical thought process.

As a professional, Sukrit is always on the lookout for challenging tasks to innovate/transform positively and make a difference and grow. He believes that thriving on change will result in success, across all spheres of involvement.

He invests his free time towards mentoring, networking, adding new skills, listening to music, and driving

Kunal Punjabi is a Vice President - Principal Technologist at Kotak Mahindra Bank with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, enterprise technology, and program leadership. He specializes in AI-driven automation, risk management, and large-scale transformation across BFSI and global industries. A certified SAFe, PRINCE2, Risk and Scrum professional. He is known for bridging business strategy with technology execution to deliver impactful, scalable outcomes.

Dr. Prashant Koranne is a seasoned cybersecurity, GRC, and legal expert with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology, law, and governance. He has advised 300+ enterprises, delivered over 1,000 audit man-days across multiple management standards and security frameworks, and conducted 500+ executive sessions on cybersecurity, AI governance, and data privacy. A certified CISA, PCI QSA, CEH, and Elite DPO, he is well-versed in regulatory frameworks including RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and NBFCs. As a vCISO, mediator, and trusted advisor, he specializes in building cyber resilience, ensuring compliance, and designing board-level governance strategies for organizations navigating complex digital and regulatory ecosystems.

He is a seasoned Cyber Security Leader with over almost 3 decades of experience in IT and cyber defense, working closely with Government, Defense, Telecom, and Public Sector organizations to strengthen the security of critical digital infrastructure.

He has been instrumental in designing and establishing advanced Security Operations Centers (SOCs) for CERTs across Defense establishments and PSUs, contributing to the protection of mission-critical networks and national digital assets. His expertise spans SOC architecture, cyber threat intelligence, detection & response frameworks, and Zero Trust security models.

Gaurav is also a Security Auditor and a regular speaker at cybersecurity forums and industry summits on Global Scale, where he shares insights on securing critical infrastructure and building resilient cyber ecosystems for the digital economy.

A versatile, accomplished & goal-oriented professional with 25 years of experience in Enterprise Cyber Security Governance ,Digital Transformation, Program Management, IT Service Delivery Management, Partner Management, and People Management with proven record of accomplishment of delivering consistent business results through adept leadership and sound management practice.

Currently assignment with RPG Group(KEC international Limited ) Heading IT and Cyber security (CISO) & Previously associated with Adani Group, TATA Group & ICICI Lombard .

Vaishali Mutalik is the CEO of Shieldbyte Infosec Pvt. Ltd. and a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over three decades of experience in securing critical digital ecosystems. She has worked with organizations across industries, helping them strengthen cyber resilience, address evolving threats, and align with regulatory expectations in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Actively contributing to the cybersecurity community, Vaishali is associated with ISC2 initiatives in India, where she supports efforts around awareness, capability building, and strengthening the cybersecurity talent ecosystem. She is passionate about advancing collaboration between industry and global bodies to address emerging security challenges.

Known for her forward-looking approach, she advocates the strategic integration of artificial intelligence into cybersecurity to enable smarter, adaptive, and business-aligned security practices. A recognized thought leader, she has been featured among leading women in cybersecurity and continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Rahul Bagchi is Associate Vice President – Product Engineering Services at Sasken, a specialist in Product Engineering and Digital Transformation delivering concept-to-market, chip-to-cognition R&D. He currently leads Sasken’s embedded portfolio, with a focus on Semiconductors, Automotive, Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEM) & Satcom, Industry/IoT 4.0, and Consumer Devices.

With 25+ years of industry experience, Rahul has worked on engineering programs spanning satellite terminals, vRAN and O-RAN solutions, next-generation telematics platforms, LTE upgrade initiatives, dual-boot solutions, and in-car and safety software. He brings deep expertise in building and scaling embedded and connected product platforms from development through deployment

Akshay Yadava is a distinguished leader serving as Director at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Regional Office, Mumbai. An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, he brings over 26 years of extensive experience across the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and MeitY.

Currently, he spearheads the digital transformation of India's identity infrastructure, focusing on Aadhaar-led Digital Benefit Transfers (DBT) , Face Authentication in the BFSI sector and OVSE framework. A recognized expert in fintech and cybersecurity, Akshay is instrumental in developing robust frameworks for identity-based fraud prevention and streamlining Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance financial inclusion and secure governance across the Western Region

Souvik brings in more than two decades of experience in the IT industry, specializing in building resilient, compliant and secure enterprises for global enterprises and domestic markets. Trusted C-suite advisor driving business aligned transformations through pragmatic GTM strategies and large-scale cyber defense operations

With over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, Information Security and Cybersecurity, my expertise covers enterprise security architecture, cyber governance, threat intelligence, and proactive risk mitigation ensuring business continuity in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Suresh Babu L currently serves as the Associate Vice President – Corporate Initiatives at ICT Academy, boasting an impressive career spanning over two decades in the education industry. His role reflects a passionate management professional deeply committed to the field. With extensive experience, Mr. Babu has cultivated expertise across various dimensions of education and skilling.

In his current capacity, he plays a key role in facilitating collaborations between corporate entities and ICT Academy. His primary focus centers around advocating for ICT Academy's skilling initiatives, crafting innovative models, and leading projects aimed at empowering youth through CSR endeavours. Notably, Mr. Babu excels in ensuring compliance with regulations and statutory requirements, showcasing his proficiency in his role.

As an executive member of ICT Academy, Mr. Babu has consistently demonstrated leadership by successfully overseeing numerous portfolios. His enduring commitment to education and skilling continues to steer positive change, defining the trajectory of ICT Academy's impactful contributions to the field

Dr. Deepak Kumar is a highly respected Senior Digital Forensic and Cyber Intelligence Professional with extensive experience in consulting and investigations. Currently serving at the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), he specializes in Information Security and Capacity Building for Cyber Crime and Digital Forensics. Dr. Kumar holds multiple prestigious certifications and is recognized as a subject matter expert in Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, and Threat Intelligence. His advisory roles extend to numerous law enforcement agencies, and he has trained over 170,000 professionals through lectures and workshops across various governmental and security organizations. Committed to fostering a secure digital landscape, he actively engages in knowledge dissemination and capacity building.

Bipin Lokegaonkar is a cybersecurity leader with over two decades of experience in building and scaling security businesses across enterprise and telecom environments. He currently leads Cybersecurity Business Unit initiatives at Tata Communications, with a strong focus on OT security, cloud security, and GRC. Bipin specializes in developing innovative security solutions, driving large-scale transformations, and aligning cybersecurity with business growth.

arita Padmini is an accomplished leader in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy with extensive experience in various sectors. Having amassed a wealth of experience in esteemed organizations like PWC, IBM, HCL, she has cultivated a robust background, honed their expertise, and acquired comprehensive industry knowledge. Currently, Sarita Padmini holds the position of Senior Director - Cyber Security and Data Privacy under the Technology consulting unit of Protiviti India Member Private Limited and an active Board Member at WiCyS - Women in Cybersecurity India Affiliate. She is responsible for leading cybersecurity & data privacy projects for her clients and analysing the evolving security and privacy challenges and developing innovative solutions for her clients.

In past, Sarita has contributed to large scale national projects such as secure implementation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account Number (Unique Health ID of India), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Invest India, India’s National ID project - Aadhaar and other digital innovation. She has curated long term strategic partnerships for her organizations with key cross-sectoral national and international institutions such as United Nations(UN), Data Security Council of India(DSCI), Cert-In, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), ISACA, GSMA. She has spearheaded multiple initiatives to support Women-in-Tech at her organization, promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the field of technology. She holds several professional certifications and has achieved notable accomplishments in her career.

Overall, with immense pride as a working mother, Sarita Padmini exemplifies a highly skilled cybersecurity professional dedicated to analysing security challenges and delivering effective solutions to her clients. Her extensive experience, leadership acumen, and cross-sector expertise position her as a valuable advisor in the realms of cyber security and data privacy.

Lieutenant Colonel A Bhardwaj is an officer in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. He has extensive experience in planning, implementing, and executing communication in operational areas and Electronic Warfare. He has cross-domain experience in Telecommunication, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Project Management, and Public Policy.

Since retiring in March 2024, he has served as a Project Consultant with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation focusing on strategic Ministry of Defence projects.

As Joint Director(IT and Cyber Security), Defence Space Agency, HQ IDS, Ministry Of Defence (Oct 20 to Oct 23), he has worked with ISRO on Strategic Space based Satellite Imagery and Intelligence and other strategic agencies at the national level. He oversaw projects enabling AI-based Image Analysis solutions for operational benefits. As part of the steering committee for futuristic projects to be executed by ISRO and DRDO, he has been responsible for formulating IT infrastructure and Info and Data Security for Strategic Projects.

He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) Pune and Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun. The officer holds an MTech from IIT Delhi in Optoelectronics and Optical Communication and a BTech (Comn and IT )from the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE),Mhow. He also holds certificates like Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, 2022, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) 2020, GCPP - Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (GCPP), The Takshashila Institution - Policy School, 2019, PGDHRM- Institute Of Management Studies Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, 2009, and he is pursuing a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISC2 and Certificate Course in Business Management (HR & Finance) from IIFT Delhi.

He has been the Head of the Department in the Faculty of Communication Engineering (FCE) at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), Mhow, a premier engineering institute of the Indian Armed Forces from July 2018 to September 2020. He has taught various subjects in Cyber and Data Security to BTech students and mentored them for projects. He has also been a Subject Matter Expert for Emerging and Quantum Technologies and Secretary IETE Mhow Chapter from July 2018 to September 2020.

He has been a speaker for the CISO program under the Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative by the National eGovernance Division, which falls under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He has provided Chief Information Security Officer training across the country for government functionaries at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi, as well as at the Gujarat National Law University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, among other forums

Varun Gupta is a Director at PwC and a cybersecurity and enterprise resilience leader with over 20 years of leadership experience across defence and industry.

He advises large organizations on cybersecurity strategy, governance, and digital resilience and has served as a Virtual CISO supporting global operations across multiple geographies.

Before joining PwC, Varun served for over two decades as a commissioned officer in the Indian Navy, where he led mission-critical communications, electronic warfare, and network security environments.

He holds globally recognized certifications including CISSP, CCSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, and AWS Solutions Architect Associate, and brings a unique perspective on strengthening resilience across critical infrastructure and digital enterprises

Joerg Heidrich serves as a Legal Counsel and Data Protection Officer at Heise Medien in Hanover, Germany. He also practises as an attorney specialising in AI law and IT security law. After studying law in Cologne, Germany, and Concord, NH, USA, he has been working on issues of internet and data protection law since 1998. He holds certifications as an AI Manager, Data Protection Auditor, and Compliance Officer (Steinbeis University). Heidrich is the author of numerous professional publications and a frequent speaker on legal aspects of IT and AI. He also serves as a lecturer in data protection management at Hanover University of Applied Sciences

Mr. Bhatnagar, Regional Director, leads the Council’s efforts in increasing adoption and awareness of the PCI Security Standards in India, South Asia and Middle East. In this role, Mr. Bhatnagar works closely with the PCI Council Management Team, Payment Brands, Assessors Community, Participating Organizations, Government entities and Regulators. Mr. Bhatnagar is an innovative thinker, speaker, television personality, and technical writer and has been often quoted in cybersecurity news stories and has been quoted by news organizations including the BBC, CNBC, Reuters, Economic Times and Times of India.

Mr. Bhatnagar has been working in payment security domain for close to two decades and has been recognized amongst the “Top 100 Cyber Security Leaders of India 2022”. He has been constantly part of Research and Development around role of new emerging technologies i.e., Quantum Computing, Artificial intelligence (AI), and Mne Learning (ML), in protecting Payment Infrastructure from Sophisticated Cyber Attacks. Mr. Bhatnagar possess Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Bundelkhand University, Jhansi and Master's in "Cyber Law and Information Security" from Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, India.

Sagar Pardeshi leads Security Engineering for BFSI and the West Region at Check Point Software Technologies and is part of the Office of the CTO. He is a trusted advisor to leading banks and enterprises, helping them strengthen cyber resilience and secure their critical environments. A cybersecurity leader with deep hands-on expertise, Sagar is known for his ability to simplify complex technologies and clearly connect them to business outcomes, making his insights relevant for both CXOs and technical teams. He is a sought-after speaker at premier industry forums and CXO roundtables, where he shares practical perspectives from securing some of the most demanding enterprise environments

Ashok leads the company’s Indian business from its global headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germany. With over 18 years of international techno-commercial experience across IT, industrial manufacturing, and energy, he specializes in launching and scaling B2B platforms across European and Asian markets.

Prior to joining Wibu-Systems, he held senior roles at a US-based smart grid and IoT company and a German precision measurement group, where he led end-to-end hardware and software product launches, driving market expansion specifically in India. Holding a PhD from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, he has built a career spanning R&D, product management, and business development. He combines deep expertise in IoT, AI, and SaaS with the commercial acumen to turn complex systems into scalable business opportunities.

At Wibu-Systems, he is responsible for the company's strategy, market presence, and growth in India, focusing on software protection and licensing with CodeMeter, as well as the monetization of AI-driven and industrial applications. Drawing on his cross-continental background, he connects Indian customers and partners with Wibu-Systems' 'Security Made in Germany' approach, where German precision meets India's digital ambition.

With 24 years of experience scaling B2B businesses, I bring a unique blend of strategic insight, operational rigor, and people-first leadership to every challenge. As Lead for Sales & Operations, I lead high-impact growth initiatives and enterprise partnerships that drive sustainable revenue, optimize go to-market performance, and strengthen organizational capability.

At the core of my leadership philosophy is a deep belief that clarity and human connection are the foundation of long-term success. I work closely with CXOs, cross-functional teams, and clients to co-create solutions that are not only scalable but truly aligned to their business goals and values

Nawal Kishore is a distinguished Cybersecurity Digital Transformation Strategist currently serving as the Cybersecurity Practice Leader at Evolent Health (Leading healthcare provider in US). With over 8+ years of experience in the field, Nawal has successfully spearheaded 50+ cybersecurity projects across diverse domains, specializing in the alignment of security technology (IAM, PAM, IGA and more) with organizational execution.

A natural leader, Nawal demonstrated his management capabilities early in his career by leading a high-performing team of 20+ professionals. His contributions to the industry have been recognized globally; he was recently named among the Top 25 Rising Stars at the Digital Confex 3rd IT Conference.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Nawal is a prominent tech speaker and thought leader. He frequently shares his expertise on international stages, most recently as a panellist discussing “Cybersecurity in a Connected World: Protecting What Matters.” He remains committed to driving secure digital evolution through technical excellence and strategic foresight

N Ramesh is a civil servant with wide range of experience in Finance, Export-import, Agriculture and Technology. He is working as Deputy Director General in Department of Telecommunications in Mumbai. He is working on ensuring safe and secure communications environment; develop conducive ecosystem for new and critical technology sectors like data centers, internet services, IoT/M2M; supporting startups, incubators and academia in the area of digital communication technology and licensing, monitoring of telecom/internet operators.

Prior to this assignment, he was the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) and Whole Time Director of Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) which provides foreign currency long term financing for Indian corporates and sovereign nations.

He has served as Executive Director (ED) in the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) and as Director in Department of Commerce, Government of India for three years. He was Director (Marketing) in MPEDA, Ministry of Commerce. He had formulated India's first Agriculture Export Policy and many other Exporter friendly support schemes as well as liberalisation measures in various agriculture commodities exports.

N Ramesh is an Indian Telecommunications Service (ITS) officer of the 1999 batch. He is an Electronics and Communication Engineering Graduate (BE) from Bangalore University and a Postgraduate in Public Policy and Management from IIM Bangalore.

Sumit Sharma, Director at KPMG, brings over 2 decades of global experience across both consulting and industry, spanning sectors such as Healthcare, Engineering, and Energy. He combines deep technological expertise with sharp business acumen, having successfully led large-scale, multi-location engagements across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has advised Fortune 500 organizations on strengthening cyber security, digital transformation, as well as technology and business risk management. A strategic and forward-thinking leader, he is deeply passionate about shaping and steering AI-driven solutions that are not only innovative and impactful, but also responsible, ethical, and aligned with the highest standards of governance

• Program Management of Large Enterprise IT and Cyber Security Programs
• Strategic Leadership and Governance to Cyber Operations and SOC Teams, Blue and Red Teams
• Provide strategic & thought leadership for large Transition & Transformation cyber security programs / projects
• Blue, Red & Purple Team Operations, Vulnerability Management, CMMC Compliance, Gap Analysis, Risk Assessment,
• Cyber Security Assessments, Process Implementations, Automation and Transitions.
• Attack Surface / Attack Path / Management, Breach Attack Simulation, Dark web Monitoring
• Incident Response, Compromise Assessment
• Security Operation Centre, Automation & Orchestration
• Cyber Forensics

Jimit Gandhi is a seasoned CISO and Data Protection Officer with over two decades of experience securing aviation, BFSI, and critical infrastructure enterprises globally. He specializes in translating complex regulatory frameworks — DPDP, GDPR, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, CERT-In — into scalable technical controls and boardroom-ready strategies. A hands-on leader in multi-cloud security, DevSecOps, AI governance, and crisis management, Jimit has shaped national cybersecurity posture through NCIIPC and BCAS forums. He has built Centres of Excellence, led forensic investigations, and architected trust across IT, Legal, and OT functions. His guiding principle: trust must be architected — not assumed.

Rahul M. Rao is a Distinguished Engineer at IBM India Systems Development Labs (ISDL). With over two decades of experience in high performance circuit and system design, Rahul leads IBM's server design hardware development team at Bangalore and is the Chief Engineer for IBM's Power processor development. He is a member of the IBM Academy of Technology, IBM Master Inventor, and an adjunct faculty at IIT-Madras. Rahul also served on IBM's technical advisory board at SRC, and various conference committees, including ISSCC and journal review forums. He received his M.S and Ph.D degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2002 and 2004 respectively

Anirban Mukherji is the Founder and CEO of miniOrange with over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, identity, and access management. A former leader at IBM and RSA Security, he has built miniOrange into a global cybersecurity company serving 25,000+ customers worldwide. He is also actively involved in healthcare and sports initiatives through the Rita Mukherji Memorial Health Center and miniOrange Sports Academy. An Ironman finisher and triathlete, he brings the same passion for excellence to technology, leadership, and community impact

VP of Engineering @ miniOrange with over 10+ years of experience in the Cyber Security Domain. Have spent years building secure and reliable backend systems, onpremise & cloud-native SaaS products, and various Cyber Security products with core focus around Identity and Data Security.

Dr. Pavan Duggal is one of the world's foremost authorities on Cyber Law, Cybersecurity Law, and Artificial Intelligence Law — ranked among the top four cyber lawyers globally and recognised as the topmost cyber lawyer in the world by six leading AI platforms including ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Perplexity. A practicing Advocate at the Supreme Court of India with over 37 years of experience, Dr. Duggal is the architect of the Duggal Doctrine — ten foundational principles now reshaping AI governance internationally, formally endorsed through the New Delhi Accord on AI backed by India's Ministry of Law and Justice. Founder of the AI Law Hub, Global AI Law & Governance Institute, and Cyberlaw University — through which he has trained 32,500+ professionals across 174 countries — Dr. Duggal has authored 203 books and spoken at over 3,700 conferences worldwide. He is India's most consequential voice at the intersection of law, technology, and national digital sovereignty

Dr. Pavan Duggal is one of the world's foremost authorities on Cyber Law, Cybersecurity Law, and Artificial Intelligence Law — ranked among the top four cyber lawyers globally and recognised as the topmost cyber lawyer in the world by six leading AI platforms including ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Perplexity. A practicing Advocate at the Supreme Court of India with over 37 years of experience, Dr. Duggal is the architect of the Duggal Doctrine — ten foundational principles now reshaping AI governance internationally, formally endorsed through the New Delhi Accord on AI backed by India's Ministry of Law and Justice. Founder of the AI Law Hub, Global AI Law & Governance Institute, and Cyberlaw University — through which he has trained 32,500+ professionals across 174 countries — Dr. Duggal has authored 203 books and spoken at over 3,700 conferences worldwide. He is India's most consequential voice at the intersection of law, technology, and national digital sovereignty

Bhanu Pratap Singh is a cybersecurity leader who builds institutions, shapes policy, secures critical national infrastructure, delivers mission-critical technology when cities need it most, and transforms urban ecosystems - with the rare ability to see the big picture while managing the details that make it real. Bhanu Pratap Singh is a Director for Cybersecurity and Digital Risk at PricewaterhouseCoopers India with over 16 years of experience spanning cybersecurity, digital transformation, smart cities, and public policy. His career began at Huawei rolling out India's first MNP and 3G networks. At PwC, he has established a national cybersecurity agency in the Middle East, Maharashtra’s advanced cybersecurity centre in Navi Mumbai, secured a Maharatna CPSE's critical energy infrastructure, served as Virtual CISO, drafted MCGM's IT Vision 2025, and deployed Mumbai's COVID-19 tracking software. He holds CISSP, CISA, CCSK, CCZT, PMP, and ISO 27001 certifications, an MBA, MPA, and B.E

Pravin Jha is a cybersecurity and automation engineering leader with 14+ years of experience, specializing in secure SDLC, compliance (ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI), and integrating security into CI/CD. He excels in leading multidisciplinary teams, aligning tech strategy with business goals, and driving innovation with a strong focus on security-by-design.

As the Head of Cybersecurity at TÜV SÜD South Asia and Global Business Line Manager for Cybersecurity, Vaibhav Pulekar leads strategic initiatives to strengthen the security posture of organizations across industries and geographies. He works closely with business leaders, regulators, and technical teams to deliver scalable cybersecurity solutions aligned with compliance mandates and long-term business objectives.

With deep expertise in GRC audits, payment security, data protection, and industrial cybersecurity, he helps organizations identify vulnerabilities across IT/OT systems and business processes, assess associated risks, and implement practical mitigation strategies.

His core areas of expertise include cybersecurity strategy and maturity assessments, regulatory compliance audits (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, NIS2, DORA, EU AI Act), GDPR and DPDP Act compliance, PCI DSS assessments, third-party risk management, industrial cybersecurity, and governance, risk & compliance advisory