FROM GATEKEEPER TO GROWTH ENABLER: HOW CISOS ARE REDEFINING CYBER RESILIENCE IN THE AGE OF AI AND DIGITAL CONVERGENCE

Balwant Singh, Group CISO & DPO at Dharampal Satyapal Limited, shares how the modern CISO's role extends beyond protection-into driving innovation, business continuity, and ethical AI adoption across a fast-evolving FMCG landscape. In an era of ransomware outbreaks, supply chain compromises, and Al-driven threats, enterprises face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges that demand agility, foresight, and resilience.

- [e-mail]

In the modern digital economy, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has evolved from an unseen guardian of networks into a visible leader shaping organizational destiny. For Balwant Singh, Group CISO and DPO at Dharampal Satyapal Limited, cybersecurity isn't just a defensive function—it's the foundation of sustainable business growth.

“The evolving threat landscape, where IT, OT, and supply chains converge, keeps me awake,” Singh says candidly. “In FMCG, a single ransomware or supply chain compromise can disrupt manufacturing, logistics, and brand reputation overnight.”

In an environment where brand trust and operational continuity determine competitiveness, Singh’s mission is clear: build resilience that runs deeper than compliance.

"Cybersecurity today isn't just about prevention--it's about resilience. Ensuring that our factories, ERP systems, and customer-facing platforms remain operational and trustworthy in a hostile environment is a daily responsibility" - Balwant Singh, Group CISO & DPO, Dharampal Satyapal Limited

The New Frontier of Risk: When IT, OT, and Supply Chains Converge

For a sector like FMCG, speed and precision define success. But this same speed also amplifies vulnerability. Every sensor in a factory, every logistics partner, and every third-party cloud integration becomes a potential target.

“My primary concern is protecting critical operations, ensuring business continuity, and maintaining consumer data privacy under frameworks like the DPDP Act,” Singh explains.

As the lines blur between IT systems and operational technology, a single breach can halt production or corrupt supply chain data—costing millions in lost productivity and customer trust. Singh's strategy therefore hinges on three priorities:

• Proactive Threat Intelligence - anticipating attacks before they strike.

• Vendor Assurance - continuously validating partner security.