Top CIOs, CISOs and Technology Leaders Gather at The Leela Palace to Discuss AI, Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
The 10 City CIO500 & Accelerator X Awards 2026 officially kicks off today at The Leela Palace, Chennai, bringing together some of India’s leading CIOs, CISOs, IT heads, and digital transformation leaders for an afternoon of insightful discussions, networking, and industry recognition.
Organized by Enterprise IT World, the event will begin with registration and partner booth visits at 2:00 PM, followed by a networking high tea session, setting the stage for high-level interactions among technology decision-makers from across industries.
The formal proceedings commence at 3:30 PM with a welcome by the emcee and the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by opening remarks from Sanjay Mohapatra, Editor, Enterprise IT World.
A major highlight of the event will be the keynote address by Capt. Raghu Achat, VP IT, Thejo Engineering Ltd., on “Digital Manufacturing & Industry 4.0: Chennai as India’s Smart Factory Hub.” The session will explore how manufacturers are leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, automation, and AI-driven innovation to transform operations and strengthen competitiveness.
The agenda features a panel discussion on “Delivering Measurable Business Value from AI & Digital Investments,” moderated by technology veteran Sunil David, former Regional Director – IoT, AT&T India. Industry leaders including Vijay Anand (TRUST), Srinivasulu Thayam (Aravind Eye Care), Dr. Ramkumar Dilli (RCG Global Services), and Giri Babu (Aricent Technologies) will share insights on ensuring digital initiatives translate into tangible business outcomes.
Cybersecurity will take center stage later in the evening during a panel on “Balancing Cyber Resilience with Cost & Complexity.” Moderated by Dr. Aravind Gnanabaskaran, CISO and Global Head of Cybersecurity Services at X-Biz TechVentures, the discussion will feature experts from TNQ Technologies, LatentView, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Chargebee, discussing strategies to strengthen security while managing budgets and operational complexity.
The event will also feature presentations from Precision IT and TechD Cyber Security Limited, along with a special session on “Mapping Cyber Risk to Business Risk” by Diptesh Shah, CISO, SNS, followed by an engaging cybersecurity quiz hosted by NK Mehta, CEO, SNS.
The evening will culminate with the prestigious CIO Accelerator X Awards 2026, recognizing outstanding technology leadership, innovation, and digital transformation achievements across industries. The event will conclude with a vote of thanks from Sanjib Mohapatra, Publisher, Enterprise IT World.
As Chennai strengthens its position as a major hub for technology and manufacturing innovation, the CIO500 event is expected to provide valuable perspectives on how enterprises can harness AI, cloud, and cybersecurity to drive sustainable business growth in the digital era.
For more information about the CIO500 & Accelerator X Awards 2026, visit: http://cio500.in.