ICC 2026 Speakers
Adv. (Dr.) Prashant Mali – Keynote speaker
Speaker Profile
Adv. (Dr.) Prashant Mali is one of India’s leading experts in Cyber Law, Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection, and Cybersecurity. A practicing advocate at the Bombay High Court, he brings over 25 years of experience at the intersection of technology and law, advising corporates, government agencies, law enforcement, and high-profile individuals on complex cybercrime, privacy, AI governance, and digital evidence matters.
He holds advanced qualifications including an M.Sc. in Computer Science, LL.M., Ph.D. in Cyber Law, and is a Chevening Cyber Security Fellow (UK). Dr. Mali has served as Chairman of the Cyber & Law Foundation, former Chair of the Cyber Law & Cyber Security Committee of the Indian National Bar Association and has been a visiting faculty at premier institutions including the National Law School of India University (NLSIU). He is also the creator of DPDPA.com, India’s dedicated knowledge platform on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA).
A prolific author, researcher, and international keynote speaker, Dr. Mali has authored multiple books and research papers on cyber law, privacy, AI, and cybersecurity. He has addressed global conferences, presented at the University of Oxford, and regularly appears in national media as a trusted voice on cyber law, digital governance, and emerging technologies. His contributions to the field have earned him several prestigious recognitions, including Data Protection Law Influential Leader (2023) and Best Cyber & Privacy Lawyer (2022).
Mr. Sridhar CV – Valedictory Chief Guest and Keynote speaker
Speaker Profile
Mr. Sridhar CV is the Mission Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Quantum Mission and leads the Amaravati Quantum Valley, India’s flagship initiative to establish a globally recognized quantum technology ecosystem. He is spearheading efforts to position Amaravati among the world’s top five quantum hubs by fostering collaborations across industry, academia, and government, overseeing the deployment of an IBM quantum system, and driving quantum education initiatives that have reached over 100,000 students across India.
With over 25 years of leadership experience at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Mr. Sridhar has been at the forefront of emerging technologies, including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IoT, and advanced research collaborations. He played a pivotal role in establishing India’s first 6-qubit quantum machine in partnership with TIFR and DRDO, while also leading strategic collaborations with premier institutions such as IIT Bombay and IIT Kanpur to advance quantum sensing, imaging, and security research.
Mr. Sridhar serves on several national and international strategic bodies, including as India’s representative to the QUAD Quantum Computing Task Force, Vice Chair of the TSDSI Study Group for Software & Solutions (Security), and Expert Member for both the Post Quantum Security Taskforce and AICTE’s Quantum initiatives. A sought-after keynote speaker, he actively contributes to global forums and standards organizations, helping shape the future of quantum technologies and secure digital innovation.
Mr. Sridhar will be delivering the keynote on Conference Day 2 (Aug 8th) on “Shaping a Quantum Future and Securing a Smarter tomorrow”
Bruno Horta Soares – The Cognitive Atrophy Project™ | ISACA Lisbon Chapter
Topic: Cognitive Equilibrium Between Human Judgment and AI
Speaker Profile
Brief Description of Talk (75–100 words):
AI is becoming a participant in professional cognition, not merely a productivity tool. This session introduces The Cognitive Atrophy Project™, a governance-oriented initiative exploring how sustained AI-assisted delegation may reshape professional judgment, validation, reasoning and human oversight. Bruno Horta Soares will present the concepts of Cognitive Atrophy, Cognitive Elasticity and Cognitive Equilibrium, and explain why meaningful human oversight depends on capabilities that organizations often assume but rarely govern. The session offers a balanced, non-alarmist perspective on how professionals and institutions can benefit from AI while preserving the cognitive practices on which accountability depends.
Brief Profile of the Speaker (75–100 words):
Bruno Horta Soares is a university professor and executive advisor specializing in corporate governance, digital transformation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Over more than 25 years, he has worked with boards, executives and institutions to strengthen decision-making, accountability and digital resilience. He is President of the ISACA Lisbon Chapter and research steward of The Cognitive Atrophy Project™, an independent, research-informed initiative examining professional cognition and human judgment in AI-assisted environments. Bruno is also the author of the forthcoming book “The Boardroom After AI”, focused on governing AI, cybersecurity and digital risk with confidence.
Ashutosh Bahuguna – Scientist / Additional Director,Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Ministry of Electronics & IT (MEITY), Government of India
Topic: Autonomous Defence in Frontier AI Era
Speaker Profile
Brief Description of Talk (75–100 words):
Artificial Intelligence, particularly Frontier AI, is transforming business, governance, critical infrastructure, and cybersecurity. While it is driving unprecedented innovation and operational efficiency, it is also introducing a new
generation of cyber risks that demand proactive and adaptive security approaches. At the same time, AI offers powerful opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity, automate audits, and enhance resilience. This talk explores the evolving frontier AI threat landscape, CERT-In’s initiatives and strategic approach, and practical recommendations for AI-assisted cybersecurity audits and autonomous security operations in the frontier AI era.
Brief Profile of the Speaker (75–100 words):
Having experience of 2 decades in the field of cyber security, his area of work is focused on Cyber Security assurance, Impact of AI and emerging technologies in cybersecurity, Benchmarking, International & National cyber security exercises, National Cyber Crisis Management, Behavioural aspects of cyber security, ICS/OT security, application of data science in cyber security, and Security assessments. He leads the team of Cybersecurity Assurance and AI Cyber Defence Centre at CERT-In. Actively contributing to regional & global initiatives such as the, the Quad Cyber Working Group, the Asia Pacific CERT(APCERT), BRICS, and bilateral exercises with partner nations.
