On July 19th, 2024, the iconic Oberoi Grand in Kolkata hosted the prestigious “CIO Accelerator Awards 2024,” where Prime Infoserv proudly served as a Silver Partner alongside Seceon. This event celebrated the remarkable achievements of CIOs who have driven their organizations toward significant growth and modernization over the past year.

The Role of CIOs in India’s Economic Surge

India’s economy is surging ahead, boasting a GDP growth rate of over 7% year-on-year, reaching an impressive $4 trillion in 2024, with aspirations to hit $7.3 trillion by 2030. In this dynamic landscape, the role of CIOs is more critical than ever. As new and existing organizations expand exponentially, the demand for skilled IT leaders becomes paramount.

Inaugural Ceremony and Lamp Lighting

The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting, symbolizing the dawn of new opportunities and a bright future. Distinguished guests and key industry leaders participated in this traditional Indian ceremony, setting a tone of optimism and collaboration for the day. This significant moment reflected the unity and shared vision of the technology community in driving digital transformation and innovation.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Mr. Sanjay Mahapatra, Mr. Sanjib Mahapatra, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Das, Mr. Sushobhan Mukherjee, and other honourable dignitaries. Following this, the Official CIO Brand Book was released, marking a pivotal moment in the event.

An Inspiring Start: Welcome and Keynote Address

Sanjay Mahapatra, the Editor of Enterprise IT World, set the stage with a warm welcome. His opening remarks paved the way for a keynote address by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Das, MD of Webel. Mr. Das provided an insightful overview of Endpoint Exposure Management, highlighting the relevance of the CrowdStrike outage on that day. His speech underscored the rapid technological advancements and the crucial role of CIOs in steering these changes.

Panel Discussion: Adopting Next-Gen Technologies

A highlight of the evening was the first panel discussion, focusing on the strategic adoption of next-gen technologies such as Gen-AI, automation, and IoT for business growth. Moderated by Mr.Subhashis Manna from Grant Thornton Bharat, the panel featured esteemed CIOs like Kumar Prasoon of Twyn, Kripadyuti Sarkar of Ambuja Neotia, Abhijit Chatterjee of TCG Life Sciences & Mr.Prakash Tripathy of Shyam Steel. Their diverse perspectives provided a rich dialogue on how these cutting-edge technologies are harnessed to drive innovation and efficiency.

Data-Driven Strategies

Following this engaging discussion, the spotlight shifted to presentations from key partners, showcasing the latest advancements in technology and cybersecurity. These presentations were a prelude to another compelling panel discussion on data-driven strategy, moderated by Partha Banerjee, CEO of Viyat Solutions & Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. This session delved into how data analytics and strategic use of data can transform businesses, featuring insights from Aloke Majumder of Hoichoi, Subrata Kumar Roy, a senior IT and digital transformation leader, Subhakar Rudra of WPIL, Subhamoy Chakraborti of ABP Pvt Ltd., and Atanu Pramanic of CESC.

Future Insights: DeepTech Globalization to BigTech Formulation

As the evening progressed, Avi Dahiya, Founder & Futurist at Xoogler, Twyn, captivated the audience with his talk on “DeepTech Globalization to BigTech Formulation.” His forward-thinking perspectives on technology’s evolution and global implications inspired the audience.

Spotlight on Cybersecurity: Prime Infoserv and Seceon

One of the most anticipated moments was the presentation by Seceon Inc., followed by Prime Infoserv’s own showcase. Our booth attracted significant interest, with attendees eager to learn about our Managed Security Services powered by Seceon. It was a testament to the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital landscape.

Enhancing CIOs’ Roles in Company Boards

The final panel discussion of the evening highlighted the enhanced role of CIOs in company boards, moderated by Sanjay Prasad, Partner at X-PM India. This session featured insights from industry leaders such as Manik Paul of Vikram Solar, Rishikesh Singh of Grasim Industries (Aditya Birla Group), Sourav Das of Rupa & Co. and Subhajit Lihala of Keventers. Their discussions emphasized the evolving responsibilities of CIOs in shaping business strategies at the highest levels.

Honoring Excellence: CIO Accelerator X Awards 2024

The climax of the event was the CIO Accelerator X Awards 2024. We were thrilled and proud to see our CTO, S Ramakrishnan, honored for his outstanding contributions to cybersecurity. His dedication, expertise, and innovative approach have been pivotal in our success. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the entire team’s hard work and commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

As the evening drew to a close with a vote of thanks and a delightful session of cocktails and dinner, we reflected on the day’s events with gratitude. A heartfelt thank you to the event organizers, our team at Prime Infoserv, and all the inspiring leaders who participated. Your contributions are shaping the future of our industry.

We look forward to future events where we can continue collaborating, delve deeper into cybersecurity, and spread awareness within the community and industry ecosystem. Congratulations to all the award winners, and here’s to a future of continued innovation and growth!