PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) successfully organised the Regional Cyber Security and AI (RCA) Conference 2025 at Chandigarh, witnessing active participation from over 300 delegates spanning government, industry, academia, and start-ups. The conference fostered deliberations on emerging challenges, innovations, and the roadmap to secure digital transformation in India.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries and industry experts who served as Guests of Honour, sharing insights on the integration of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) into India’s development narrative. Sh. Vinod Sharma, Regional Director, Northern Region, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, through a video address, highlighted the increasing relevance of corporate governance in digital ecosystems.
He stressed that as businesses rely more on digital platforms, ensuring cyber compliance and maintaining data integrity are critical. He also called for stronger regulatory frameworks and promotion of cyber hygiene to ensure sustainable corporate growth.
Sh. Shailendra Tyagi, Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasised India’s potential to lead in AI and cybersecurity innovations globally. He underlined STPI’s role in supporting deep-tech start-ups via Centres of Excellence and incubation support, enabling competitive, indigenous solutions.
Sh. Paviter Singh, PCS, Director, Department of Industries, Chandigarh Administration, reiterated the Administration’s commitment to building resilient digital infrastructure. He noted Chandigarh’s potential to become a cybersecurity and AI innovation hub, calling for deeper industry-academia collaborations, particularly for MSME and start-up empowerment.
Adding a unique perspective, Sh. Manish Trehan, Producer of Netflix’s acclaimed series Jamtara, spoke on the role of storytelling in creating cyber awareness. He emphasised that entertainment media can be an effective tool for public education against cyber fraud. Welcoming dignitaries, Ms. Bharti Sood, Regional Director, PHDCCI, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to advancing dialogues on emerging technologies, with a focus on government-industry-academia synergy for MSME empowerment.
Mr. Tarun Malhotra, Founder, Cyber Spunks and Cyber Academy, stressed that cybersecurity and AI are critical pillars for India’s digital growth. Dr. Anirudh Gupta, CEO, DCM Group of Schools, called for integrating AI literacy and cyber safety into education curricula to prepare youth for future challenges, emphasising grassroots awareness.
Three panel discussions marked the conference:
AI & Cybersecurity – Game Changers for MSME Exports: Moderated by Sh. Tarun Malhotra, with Sh. Gagan Khurana (CERT-In), Wing Commander Sonika Tanwar (DigiTruce), and Sh. Dinesh Sharma (Sophos), the panel discussed leveraging emerging technologies to enhance MSME competitiveness and build digital trust. DPDP Act 2023 – Compliance, Confusion & Consequences: Led by Sh. Amarpal Singh (WTW), with Commodore Dhiraj Sareen (UIDAI), Ms. Debashree Mukherjee (PwC), and Sh. Prashant Khurana (AZB & Partners), the session examined the Data Protection Act’s legal and operational implications on businesses.
Scaling Smart with AI: Moderated by Kulbir Singh (DesignersX), with Ms. Smiti Bhatt Deorah (Advantage Club AI), Ms. Isha Rani (Microsoft), and Dr. Rini (BuildTrack Smart Automation), the panel shared practical AI integration strategies for business growth.