Vikas Gupta set the tone for the conference by emphasizing that the security leaders are not just defenders but the architects, strategists and visionaries in the age of unprecedented digital complexity.
The CSO Forum hosted its flagship annual conference on December 18, 2024, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. With the theme “The Future of Information Security,” the event brought together over 80 senior cybersecurity leaders and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from across industries to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing digital security landscape. The conference was hosted in association with Sysdig, Barracuda Networks, Input Zero Technologies and ServiceNow.
The agenda featured compelling keynotes on critical topics, including planning for post-quantum migration, securing cloud workloads, and demystifying advanced cyber defense strategies. Complementing these were three insightful panel discussions that delved into pressing cybersecurity challenges. Panelists examined how AI is reshaping security leadership, the evolving role of security leaders as strategic navigators in uncertain times, and the potential of data protection to serve as a strategic advantage rather than merely a compliance requirement.
Key discussions emphasized the importance of talent readiness, enhancing threat detection capabilities, and addressing the challenges posed by AI, particularly the proliferation of false positives that overwhelm security teams and dilute focus. Sessions also explored mitigating biases in AI models, ensuring integrity during development, and defining accountability in AI-driven decision-making.
The key highlight of the event was the celebration of industry excellence through the NextCSO 2024 Awards, honoring rising stars in cybersecurity, with 27 of the 29 awardees present. In addition, seasoned professionals were celebrated through the CSO Samman and Pioneering Cybersecurity Leader accolades, recognizing their transformative contributions to the field.
