Published on August 06, 2025
The second edition of the Tata Cyber Excellence SME Forum FY26 was held on July 24, 2025, at Tejas Networks Ltd, Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Tata Business Excellence Group (TBExG). The event brought together 60 cybersecurity professionals from over 20 Tata companies, serving as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, and showcasing innovations in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
Inaugural and Keynote Sessions
The forum began with a Safety Pause led by Tejas Networks, followed by a welcome address from Subhrajit Basu, Assistant Vice President, TBExG, who reflected on the Group’s journey toward cyber excellence. The keynote address was delivered by Asha Ranjan Mathew, Chief Human Resources Officer, Tejas Networks, who highlighted the strategic importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
Session Highlights and Learnings
The forum featured six thought-provoking sessions led by industry leaders, each offering unique perspectives and actionable insights:
- Tejas Networks’ Cybersecurity Journey: Shivakumar Gowda K, AVP – ICT & Security Head, Tejas Networks, shared the company’s Cybersecurity Journey detailing the evolution of its infrastructure, governance practices, and lessons learned.
- AI-Powered Security Frameworks: Shashi Bhushan, Head of Security, Tata Communications, presented an AI Security Framework that enhances threat detection, response, and resilience.
- Agentic AI in Cybersecurity: Tejas Sheth, Senior Security SME, Amazon Web Services, explored the transformative role of Agentic AI in reshaping cyber defence strategies.
- Assessment-Driven Maturity: Vijay Sharma, Senior Vice President IT, Tata Play, shared practical insights from the Cyber Excellence Assessment process.
- Transforming Security Operations with AI: Vasantha Lakshmi, Technical Specialist in Security, Microsoft, highlighted Agentic AI’s potential to revolutionise decision-making and cybersecurity operations.
- Security Across the Project Lifecycle: Mrinal Kanti Pal, Chief – Cloud Infra Network & Cyber Security, Tata Steel, emphasised the importance of integrating security measures from project inception to deployment.
Looking ahead
In his closing remarks, Devraj Chattaraj, General Manager, TBExG, encouraged participants to adopt and implement the proven strategies discussed throughout the day. Shreyas Srivatsan, Deputy General Manager, TBExG, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the leadership team at Tejas Networks, the organising committee, and all speakers for their invaluable contributions.
The Cyber Excellence SME Forum continues to be a cornerstone for collaboration, learning, and innovation within the Tata group, reinforcing a shared commitment to vigilance and excellence in cybersecurity, ensuring a secure digital future for all stakeholders.