Seclore recently organised Security Now, 2023, a cyber and data security awareness event, in Mumbai. The event centred on unravelling the complexities of data collection, storage and safeguards under the newly enacted Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
The event, which aimed at creating awareness of—and driving conversation on compliance with—the DPDP Act, 2023, was attended by over 200 delegates, mostly top Chief Security Officers, and Cyber Security and Cyber Crime experts from a multitude of industries, such as e-commerce, startups, BFSI, manufacturing, defence and pharmaceuticals with a combined experience of 6.5K years in data security. The top companies and organisations represented were Adani Defence, Reliance Life Insurance, Indian Navy, ICICI, SBI, Glenmark and Bajaj Allianz, among others.
The fast-changing canvas of data, regulations and threats has taken on a global dimension, while regulators, requirements and data residency have become increasingly localised. This dichotomy presents a challenge of global issues versus local awareness, emphasising the critical need for their synchronisation for data protection across continents.
The data security awareness meet is primarily proposed to delve into the cumulative knowledge and advancements in the field, extracting insights from experts, analysing global patterns and initiating discussions around them. The programme addressed many pressing concerns, such as timeline of compliance, data storage, data sharing transparency and non-compliance repercussions, as well as the prevalent challenges of spamming, cyber attacks and the alarming rise of Deepfakes—all of which continue to grab headlines.
The industry event buzzed with excitement as esteemed personalities took centre stage. Dr Pavan Duggal, a distinguished Supreme Court of India advocate, shared profound insights, paving the way for legal landscapes in the industry. Rangarajan Vijayaraghavan, representing the Adani Group, captivated the audience with visionary perspectives, igniting discussions on innovative strategies. Commander Animesh, an Indian Navy stalwart, infused the atmosphere with tales of leadership and resilience, inspiring all present.
Vishal Gupta, CEO, Seclore, emphasised the pivotal role of such initiatives, highlighting DPDP Act’s transformative impact on data governance. He said, “Today, protection of information has become a necessity globally. Security Now, 2023, by Seclore focused on demystifying the intricacies of data collection, storage and protection in the light of the recently legislated DPDP Act, 2023. As regulatory landscapes undergo transformations, Seclore takes the lead in promoting a shared comprehension and preparedness among industry professionals.”
In the past, India operated as a free data market, allowing companies to gather data from Indian customers without the trappings of stringent regulations. Recognising the potential risks, the government introduced the DPDP Act. The law is comprehensive and addresses all facets of personal data protection. Faced with concerns about compliance complexity, companies requested a one-year grace period for a phased implementation.