Hariharan Subramanian, Vice President - Information Technology, Shriram Properties
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a shared responsibility across the organization. At Shriram Properties, we’ve embedded a security-first culture into our daily operations. Regular employee training, practical cyber drills, and personalized awareness help staff internalize security practices. We follow a Zero Trust model, verifying every access request to protect sensitive data.
Tech Helps in better Decision making
We’ve adopted AI-driven analytics to detect anomalies in real time and use RPA tools like UiPath to automate security operations, reducing manual efforts and improving response times. These aren’t isolated IT upgrades—they’re part of a broader transformation that makes cybersecurity instinctive and proactive.
Looking ahead to 2025, AI, automation, and scalable cloud solutions will define the digital landscape. Companies are moving from experimenting with AI to fully integrating it for better decision-making and operational efficiency. Cybersecurity strategies now focus on prevention, with Zero Trust and AI-enhanced analytics becoming standard.
In real estate, innovations like IoT-enabled smart infrastructure are improving construction site monitoring, energy management, and predictive maintenance. The real value lies not just in adopting new technology, but in leveraging it effectively to create secure, efficient, and future-ready businesses.
Rise of strategic business enabler
The CIO’s role has evolved from managing IT systems to driving business growth and innovation. At Shriram Properties, this shift was evident through the integration of SAP S/4HANA, Salesforce CRM, and UI Path RPA—enhancing data management, reducing errors by 80%, and improving customer satisfaction by 30%. CIOs now serve as strategists, risk managers, and innovators, especially as cloud-first approaches make cybersecurity a business priority. Traditional roles like CIO, CTO, CISO, and DPO are converging, requiring collaboration to align technology, security, and data privacy for future-ready business success.
DPOs is a dedicated role
CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs have overlapping roles, but the Data Protection Officer (DPO) role is distinct, focusing specifically on compliance and data privacy regulations. CIOs and CTOs drive technology and innovation, while CISOs handle cybersecurity and risk management. DPOs ensure adherence to data protection laws, manage privacy policies, and conduct audits to reduce legal risks. Although CIOs or CISOs might temporarily assume DPO duties, increasing data privacy complexities require dedicated DPOs. Beyond data protection, DPOs play a crucial role in safeguarding an organization’s reputation and maintaining customer trust.
