Bengaluru witnessed a defining moment for India’s technology leadership on August 7, 2025, as Taj Yeshwantpur hosted the invite-only “Empowering CXOs 2025” conference and awards ceremony, organized by CXO Cywayz. The event united more than 500 cybersecurity leaders, AI innovators, and enterprise decision-makers from across the country. Spearheaded by Navaneethan M, Chairman of CXO Cywayz, the gathering focused on inspiring and enabling forward-thinking organizations to enhance resilience and lead India’s digital transformation.
Keynotes Offer Deep Insights on Security, Strategy, and Leadership
The day opened with the traditional kuthu vilakku lighting, symbolizing knowledge and new beginnings. Dr. M A Saleem, IPS, Director General of Police, CID Karnataka, delivered the keynote address, sharing strategies for cybercrime prevention, intelligence modernization, and the evolving role of law enforcement in the digital era. Lt Gen MU Nair, Former National Cyber Security Coordinator, spoke on India’s evolving cyber strategy and leadership frameworks, combining decades of national security expertise with a visionary approach.
Other distinguished speakers included Shri Amar Prasad Reddy, Mr. C Sivasankaran, Dr. Palaniappan Manickam, and Shri Sivasankar, each adding unique perspectives on resilience, leadership, health, and governance.
Panels Address Supply Chain Threats, Cyber Immunity, and AI Ethics
High-impact panel discussions tackled pressing industry challenges. The first, on mobile app supply chain attacks, featured leaders such as Hilal Ahmad, Kumar KV, and Ram Kumar, addressing vulnerabilities and third-party risk. The second explored the evolving threat landscape, with insights from Agnidipta Sarkar, Gowdhaman Jothilingam, and others on building cyber immunity across ecosystems. The third panel examined AI ethics in a data-driven world, led by Nidhish Bhatnagar, Krisna Pandey, and Prasanna Lohar, focusing on balancing innovation with privacy.
Awards Celebrate India’s Cybersecurity Visionaries
The evening concluded with the CXO Leadership Excellence Awards, recognizing achievements in cybersecurity, enterprise resilience, and digital innovation. Honors were presented across categories such as Cyber Chanakya, Cyber Icon, Cyber Star, Rising Star, Cyber Veteran, and Excellence Award. A hackathon for the first four categories combined public voting with jury evaluation, while the introduction of the “CXO Chef” award celebrated best practice strategies. The event also featured a cultural dance performance, symbolizing the balance between tradition and transformation, and reaffirming the values that CXO Cywayz seeks to promote in India’s digital leadership landscape.