Automotive Conclave: AI Powered Safety and Cybersecurity

Mr. Manoj Madhukar Desai

Dy. Director and CISO, The Automotive Research Association of India

M. M. Desai, Deputy Director at ARAI, has over 27 years of experience in automotive electronics, specialising in EV certification, cybersecurity, EMC, intelligent transport systems and automotive standards.

Ms. Latha Chembrakalam

Global Automotive Leader, AutoAscend Pvt Ltd

Latha, Founder & CEO of AutoAscend, is a mobility and technology leader with over 30 years’ experience. Formerly VP at Continental, she advises on strategy, transformation, e-mobility and leadership development.

Dr. Narasimhamurthy

Global Software Quality Head, Infineon Technologies

With over 30 years across automotive, semiconductor, manufacturing and software, he specialises in enterprise transformation, governance, quality and operational excellence, and is the author of Wings and Roots of Leadership.

Dr. Chitij Chauhan

CISO | Enterprise IT & Cybersecurity Leader, Intangles Lab Private Limited

Dr. Chitij Chauhan has over 21 years of experience in cybersecurity, enterprise risk, technology governance and digital transformation, with expertise spanning critical infrastructure, IT/OT convergence and organisational resilience.

Ms. Swati Davari

Head of Governance and Compliance , Qorix

Bringing over 20 years of experience in governance, compliance, quality, safety, and security within the automotive technology sector. She is passionate about enabling innovation through robust governance frameworks and helping organizations navigate the evolving landscape of software-defined vehicles, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.

Mr. Sagar Jadhav

Dy. General Manager - Safety & Security, Napino Auto and Electronics Ltd.

20 years of experience in Automotive E/E Design & Development, Level 2 Functional Safety Professional, Level 1 Cybersecurity Professional, INTACS certified provisional ASPICE Assessor

Ing. Monika Batule

Lead Cyber Security, SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited

Monika brings over 16 years of experience in the automotive industry, with specialisations in Automotive Cybersecurity, Process Compliance, Quality Management, and Auditing. Her extensive background includes cybersecurity assessments, compliance evaluations, and helping organisations meet industry standards. She is passionate about developing secure, compliant automotive solutions.

Mr. Sandeep Chandrashekar

Lead Principal - Functional Safety, Infineon Technologies

Automotive embedded software expert with over 24 years' experience, leading Functional Safety and Cybersecurity Engineering at Infineon India. His expertise spans safety architecture, cybersecurity and safety-compliant software development.

Ms. Naina Teertha

Cybersecurity Architect, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India

Naina Teertha has over 9 years’ experience in automotive cybersecurity, supporting OEMs and suppliers across security architecture, risk management, ISO/SAE 21434, UNECE WP.29 and secure product development.

Mr. Aditya Raichur

Head of Functional Safety, Uno Minda Global Centre

Aditya Raichur is an automotive systems engineering expert specialising in Functional Safety, ASPICE, SOTIF and risk management, with experience across ADAS, vehicle dynamics, occupant safety and automotive electronics.

Dr. Chitra Thyagarajan

Sr. Functional Safety Expert, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Dr. Chitra is a Functional Safety Consultant at TÜV SÜD and AFSE-qualified expert, with extensive experience in safety, reliability and automotive functional safety, including ISO 26262 training and certification.

Mr. Bala Sabarish Dhanabalan

Product Manager, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Automotive safety and cybersecurity expert with over 20 years’ experience, specialising in ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, SOTIF, AI safety, V2X and safety and security strategies for next-generation vehicles.

Mr. Ramkumar Krishnakumar

Automotive SPICE Assessor, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Ramkumar Krish has 18 years of automotive industry experience, specialising in Automotive SPICE, Functional Safety, Automotive Cybersecurity and AI-driven solutions for engineering, compliance and process improvement.

Mr. Sivakumar Jeevanandan

Functional Safety Expert, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Automotive Functional Safety expert with over 30 years of experience across ADAS and Autonomous Driving, E-Mobility and Automotive Semiconductors. Associated with TÜV SÜD, India, as a Functional Safety Lead Auditor and Trainer, he specializes in ISO 26262 and safety lifecycle management. He has helped organizations across the automotive value chain build safe, certifiable vehicle systems.

Mr. Sumit Mathur

Functional Safety Specialist – Semicon, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Sumit Mathur has over 22 years of experience in functional safety, automotive engineering and ISO 26262, with expertise in ADAS, autonomous driving, safety engineering, assessments and process development.

Mr. Vigneshwaran T

Automotive Cybersecurity Expert, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Vignesh specialises in automotive cybersecurity compliance, audits and assessments, with expertise in ISO/SAE 21434, ISO 24089 and UNECE R155/R156. He has trained 2,000+ automotive professionals globally.

Mr. Vishwas C N

Automotive Cybersecurity Expert, TÜV SÜD South Asia

Vishwas C N specialises in automotive cybersecurity, supporting OEMs and Tier-1s on CSMS, SUMS, TARA and product security, with expertise in UN R155/R156, connected vehicles and post-quantum cryptography.