SheLeadsTech 2026: ISACA Bangalore Brings Women Leaders Together to Shape AI and Cybersecurity Future

BENGALURU, India — On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, the ISACA Bangalore Chapter hosted SheLeadsTech 2026, a leadership summit focused on empowering women professionals in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and technology governance.

Held at the Taj MG Road on March 8, the conference brought together industry leaders, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, and technology innovators to explore how inclusive leadership can accelerate secure digital transformation.

The event, themed “Advancing Cyber & AI Through Inclusive Leadership,” addressed emerging challenges in AI governance, cybersecurity strategy, data privacy, and leadership development in the technology sector.

Opening Address Highlights the Need for Inclusive Tech Leadership

The conference began with delegate registration followed by an invocation delivered by Dr. Lopa Mudra Basu, Director ISG and SheLeadsTech Coordinator for ISACA Bangalore Chapter.

In the welcome address, T. R. Rajesh, President of ISACA Bangalore Chapter, emphasized the need for stronger representation of women across cybersecurity and governance leadership roles.

He noted that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure requires diverse leadership perspectives to ensure ethical, resilient, and trustworthy technology systems.

The inauguration ceremony included the traditional lamp lighting and national anthem.

Trustworthy Technology and Women Shaping the Future

The opening keynote titled “Trustworthy Tech, Trusted Leaders: Women Shaping Future” was delivered by Chitraa Thiyagarajan, IRAS.

The session highlighted the growing importance of support from each and everyone for women in society, emphasizing the need for collective action to foster an inclusive environment. The speaker shared her personal life experience while working as a Software Engineer at IBM, She spoke candidly about the obstacles she encountered, including overcoming stereotypes and navigating career advancement. In addition to her professional journey, she also discussed the rigorous preparation for the UPSC examinations, illustrating how perseverance and determination played crucial roles in achieving her goals. Her story served as both an inspiration and a call to action, urging everyone to take part in empowering women across various fields.

She emphasized that trust will remain a key pillar for organizations deploying AI-driven decision-making systems.

Data Protection and Cyber Law in India

A special session on “Data Protection Regime in India – An Analysis with Special Reference to Women” explored emerging regulatory frameworks governing data privacy.

Legal expert Prof. Nagarathna A, from the National School of Law University India, addressed the evolving cyber law landscape and the need for stronger digital protection mechanisms in an increasingly data-driven economy.

The session also discussed how organizations must adapt to compliance requirements while safeguarding user privacy.

Career Leadership: From Executive Trainee to the Boardroom

Leadership development emerged as a major theme of the event.

A session titled “Journey from Executive Trainee to the Boardroom” explored the pathways women professionals take to reach senior leadership roles.

Independent director Gargi Ojha delivered a LeadHERship talk emphasizing mentorship, professional resilience, and leadership strategy.

The session encouraged organizations to create structured mentorship networks and leadership programs to support women in technology careers.

AI and Cybersecurity Trends in 2026

Another major highlight of the conference was a fireside chat on “AI and Cybersecurity Trends in 2026: Business Impact and Strategic Imperatives.”

The discussion examined how AI is transforming cybersecurity operations through predictive threat intelligence, automated defense systems, and machine-learning-driven monitoring platforms.

Industry leaders noted that while AI strengthens cyber defense capabilities, it also introduces new attack vectors that require advanced governance and risk management frameworks.

Privacy, Governance and Digital Sovereignty

A panel discussion titled “Privacy as Power: Re-Architecting GRC for Strategic Accountability and Digital Sovereignty” focused on governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.

The panel featured experts from major organizations including KPMG and industry leaders in cybersecurity governance.

Panelists highlighted the growing importance of digital sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and cross-border data governance as companies operate across global digital ecosystems.

AI as a Career Accelerator

In the afternoon, a session titled “AI as a Career Accelerator: Re-Engineering Leadership Pathways” examined how artificial intelligence is transforming career opportunities in technology sectors.

Experts from companies including Accenture discussed how AI is reshaping roles in cybersecurity, compliance, data governance, and enterprise risk management.

The panel encouraged women professionals to build expertise in AI governance, cybersecurity strategy, and data analytics, which are becoming core leadership capabilities.

AI as a Career Accelerator

In the afternoon, a session titled “AI as a Career Accelerator: Re-Engineering Leadership Pathways” examined how artificial intelligence is transforming career opportunities in technology sectors.

Experts from companies including Accenture discussed how AI is reshaping roles in cybersecurity, compliance, data governance, and enterprise risk management.

The panel encouraged women professionals to build expertise in AI governance, cybersecurity strategy, and data analytics, which are becoming core leadership capabilities.

Women Driving Impact Across Industries

Another leadership session titled “From Legacy to Leverage: Women Driving Impact at Scale” explored how women leaders are creating impact across sectors including healthcare, technology, and social entrepreneurship.

Speakers highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, mentorship networks, and purpose-driven leadership in accelerating innovation and social impact.

From AI Adoption to Enterprise Value

The final keynote titled “The AI Advantage – From Adoption to Impact: Turning Intelligence into Enterprise Value” addressed the next phase of enterprise AI transformation.

Industry experts emphasized that organizations must move beyond pilot programs and integrate AI strategically into their core operations, governance frameworks, and innovation strategies.

From AI Adoption to Enterprise Value

The final keynote titled “The AI Advantage – From Adoption to Impact: Turning Intelligence into Enterprise Value” addressed the next phase of enterprise AI transformation.

Industry experts emphasized that organizations must move beyond pilot programs and integrate AI strategically into their core operations, governance frameworks, and innovation strategies.