From Our Desk: Exciting Ways to Begin 2025: IT CxOs Share Their Views

This year, 2024, marks 21 years of October being celebrated as a cybersecurity awareness month. This year, the theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024 is "Secure Our World." This theme emphasizes the need to take regular steps to prevent risks while online and using connected devices.

To celebrate NCSAM and to assist techies in understanding the latest cybersecurity trends and threats, IndiaIT360 has contacted several industry experts for their thoughts.

Safety is to protect "humans" from "machines" Security is to protect "machines" from "humans" Privacy is to protect "humans" from "humans”. added Mr. Sunil P, Chief Information Security Officer, Capillary Technologies

Hiral Shah, Chief Information Security Officer, Elecon Group, shares, "My mission is to create an environment where learning and collaboration are at the forefront, empowering my team to tackle the complex challenges of Cybersecurity."

“Security is not just a technical issue; it’s a cultural mindset that we must instill at every level of our organization."

Yogesh Suryawanshi, Chief Information Security Officer of Kirloskar Brothers Limited said, “Think of Cybersecurity like brushing your teeth—skip it, and things get messy fast! In today’s digital age, threats are constantly evolving, so organizations need to floss their defenses regularly. 

It’s all about staying ahead with smart practices, continuous testing, and making sure your team knows that a healthy cyber-hygiene routine is non-negotiable."

"Cyber threats never sleep, and neither should your defenses. Stay sharp, stay secure—before they strike first." Added Piyush Gupta, Chief Information Security Officer, StashFin.

Chetansinh Parmar, Chief Information Security Officer, Ami Organics Ltd. added, “I wanted to emphasize the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity awareness within the organization. Educating and informing employees about emerging cyber threats is crucial in protecting the business from potential risks. Cybersecurity awareness is a vital defense mechanism that can be a significant deterrent against malicious attacks. It is essential that we remain vigilant and up-to-date on the latest Cybersecurity best practices to safeguard the organization's valuable assets.”

Hetal Presswala, Chief Information Security Officer, of Kalpataru Projects shares, "In the digital age, Cybersecurity is not a luxury, it's a necessity: As our reliance on technology grows, so do the risks associated with cyber threats. From personal devices to critical infrastructure, everything is interconnected and vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The consequences of a breach can be severe, including financial loss, reputational damage, and disruptions to essential services. Investing in Cybersecurity means protecting sensitive data, maintaining trust, and ensuring business continuity. It's not just about preventing attacks but building resilience in a world where cyber threats are constant. Prioritizing Cybersecurity is essential for protecting both individuals and organizations in today’s digital landscape.”

Vijay Hatewar, Chief Information Security Officer of Fynd says "The ultimate purpose of having a security team is to enable the business to function as expected. When asked how much security is needed, the answer is: just enough".

Arunava Roy, Chief Information Security Officer / Executive VP, 360 One (IIFL) added, “In the AI age, Cybersecurity has become more critical than ever due to the rapid integration of AI into various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and infrastructure. AI systems rely on large-scale networks and vast amounts of data, creating more points of vulnerability for cyberattacks. Hackers can exploit these weak spots to access sensitive information or disrupt services. Overall, Cybersecurity in the AI age is vital not only to protect data and systems from cyberattacks but also to ensure the ethical and safe development of AI technologies."

Conclusion

While choosing between strong passwords entered, 6-digit pins text on our phones, and fingerprints for unlocking any app, cybersecurity is an important part of our everyday lives. When done right, these everyday practices improve our online safety and protect our data, finances, organizations, and families. We thank these leaders who have contributed their quotes and generated awareness around Cybersecurity Month.

Team IndiaIT360

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