As the dust settles on the ASIS South Asia Meet 2025, held on 25 July in Bengaluru, I find myself pausing to reflect not just on the outcomes, but on the incredible journey that brought us here. This wasn’t just an event it marked a defining moment for the region. A new benchmark has been set in South Asia, and we can now proudly say: Indian Security Professionals have truly arrived on the global stage!
Let me take you behind the scenes of how South Asia’s biggest security and risk management forum came to life.
Building the Backbone
The foundational concept of the event was shaped by the ASIS Bengaluru Chapter, with valuable strategic guidance and support provided by the ASIS APAC Board Members What truly powered this initiative, however, was the emergence of a remarkable force known as Volunteer Leadership.
This was not leadership defined by designations or driven by compensation. It was leadership fuelled by purpose, community, and passion. A diverse team of security professionals, including seasoned experts, mid-career specialists, and young professionals who eagerly joined the effort, came together with relentless energy, deep ownership, and the agility to adapt and execute.
At times, I wonder what it is that ignites such fire in volunteers.
- Is it the passion for the profession?
- Is it a desire to give back to a community that once uplifted them?
- Is it the self-satisfaction, the joy of building something meaningful?
- Where does that dopamine come from, especially when no one is getting paid?
Of course, everything was not hunky-dory. We all came from different professional backgrounds, represented various age groups, and carried our own expectations shaped by past experiences. There were heated arguments, clashing opinions, and debates that covered everything from session formats to and believe it or not even the colour of the lanyards. At times, we hadn’t imagined how polarising even the smallest logistical details could become. Yet, in those moments of disagreement, there was always someone who brought in a sane voice, a balanced view, or a practical suggestion that helped us realign. Logic prevailed, egos were kept in check, and we all gracefully agreed and moved forward as one team.
Whatever the reason, this team demonstrated what it truly means to lead without authority and to serve without expectation. They took charge, inspired others, and turned intent into impact.
Shaping the Content
One of the most thoughtful aspects of planning was the curation of relevant and timely content. Our team deliberated extensively to bring forward topics that matter today across geopolitical, strategic, and tactical domains.
We ensured the speaker mix reflected experience, diversity, and perspective by featuring veterans from the armed forces, civil services, corporate security, and tech-driven roles.
Here are some of the standout panels that resonated deeply with our audience:
- Geopolitics in Flux: Reimagining National Security in a Multipolar World – In this Keynote Address the speaker laid emphasis on geopolitics and its effects. This powerful keynote explored how shifting alliances, regional conflicts, and emerging non-state actors are reshaping traditional security doctrines. It challenged the audience to rethink preparedness and collaboration in a world where the rules of engagement are no longer uniform, and where corporate, civil, and state actors must align like never before.
- Necessity of Civil Defence in Corporate – As threats grow more urban and multidimensional, civil defence is no longer the government’s responsibility alone. This session focused on how CSOs and corporate houses can play a proactive role in community resilience.
- Human Element in the Era of AI and Digital Security – With AI revolutionizing threat detection and response, the discussion revolved around why the human mind, with its ethics, empathy, and instincts, still holds the frontline.
- The Fastest Way to Learn in Security: Advice We Wish Someone Had Given Us – A youth-led panel where emerging professionals shared lessons, mistakes, and insights. This platform offered honest reflections that echoed mentorship and grounded learning.
- Digital Sabotage: When a Cyber Breach Unlocks Physical Doors – Real-life cases where cyber incidents led to physical breaches highlighted the growing urgency of IT-OT convergence in security planning. The panel emphasized readiness and proactive cyber-physical strategies.
- Truth in the Age of Deception: Combating Deep Fakes and Misinformation – With misinformation emerging as a national security concern, this panel focused on countermeasures, detection tools, and the role of corporate security in safeguarding truth.
We ensured diversity and inclusion across all panels. The representation reflected a healthy mix of age, sectors, and experience.
The Engine Room
Our partnership with the event agency was foundational in turning ideas into execution. From designing the event website and setting up secure payment gateways to creating engaging social media content, backdrop designs, speaker invites, mementos, and thank-you notes, every element was examined with care.
Kudos to ASIS Bengaluru team for bringing in innovations like facial recognition-based photo distribution and ensured that all vendors and support staff received their due recognition. This underscored our belief that excellence includes everyone behind the scenes. But it didn’t stop there.
There were numerous site visits by ‘Bengaluru Warriors’ a.k.a. ‘ASIS Bengaluru team’ to finalize every logistical detail, including seating arrangements, vendor stall placements, and reworking layouts to accommodate a last-minute surge in registrations. We carefully planned the layout of meals, beverage stations, and a dedicated speaker lounge for pre-session briefings and relaxation.
Coordinating a group photo close to 300 participants was a unique challenge. It was achieved efficiently and with a dash of good humour. Every element, including signage, lighting, badge distribution, and crowd flow, was calibrated to ensure that every guest felt welcomed, guided, and engaged.
Creating Impact: Customer Experience and Delegate Delight
Invariably, the emcee at large-scale conferences who comes from outside the security and risk management domain struggles to fully engage with the audience. However, at ASIS South Asia Meet 2025, we had the commanding presence of Maj Saurabh Srivastava (Retd), who effortlessly took charge of the stage and reigned in the pulse of the audience. His charisma, timing, and subject fluency kept the sessions vibrant and connected throughout the day.
Capt Sajith Nair (Retd) carried the logistical load on his shoulders with remarkable precision. From ensuring smooth registration and managing entry and exit points to orchestrating hall layouts, meal arrangements, and extensive coordination with the Taj hospitality team, he ensured that everything ran like clockwork.
Then there was the omnipresent Mr. Aruna Dalai, a true force behind the scenes. He was seen everywhere running between tasks, fixing issues in real time, and staying two steps ahead of the curve. His dedication and foresight ensured that every detail fell perfectly into place. He was ably and energetically supported by Capt Rajesh Pillai (Retd), who matched the pace with equal enthusiasm and operational sharpness. A big thank you to Ms. Anchall Saxena and Mr. Anil Yadav for their incredible support. They stepped in from nowhere, took charge, and played a key role in making the coordination smooth and successful.
Amidst all the movement and momentum, we had the calm and composed Col Ashish Nangia (Retd), who managed the command post with silent authority. His disciplined demeanour, clear-headed decision-making, and steady presence acted as an invisible force of stability amidst the chaos.
Special mention goes to India’s and Asia’s proud flag bearers – Maj Paul Devassy (Retd), Mr. Sanjay Kaushik, and Mr. Wilfred Bradford – whose steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment ensured that every element remained aligned and on track throughout the journey.
Together, this team created an experience that was not just efficient, but delightful. Their contributions went beyond roles; they reflected ownership, passion, and the shared belief that our attendees deserved nothing less than the best.
From day one, our goal was simple i.e. to create a memorable and seamless experience for every delegate. We ensured:
- Regular communication on dates, venues, and registration details
- Effortless entry and exit with guided assistance
- Well-moderated panels with proper introductions and speaker recognition
- Balanced seating arrangements ensuring equal visibility and participation
- Three delightful meals thoughtfully laid out to enable networking and hospitality
- A personal touch, with team members on ground engaging directly with delegates
The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees felt seen, heard, and genuinely cared for.
The Many Firsts That Made This Event a Milestone
The ASIS South Asia Meet 2025 was not just another event. It was a milestone that introduced several meaningful firsts to the region’s security community.
- Record-Breaking Attendance – More than 300 registrations, making it amongst the largest gatherings for a security and risk management event in South Asia.
- Sold Out in Advance – Registrations closed more than a month in advance, reflecting the event’s credibility and the anticipation it generated.
- Voices of the Future – A specially curated panel for young professionals that offered fresh insights and real-world mentorship.
- Strengthening Public-Private Synergy – Esteemed presence of Armed Forces and senior Police officials, encouraging stronger public-private partnerships.
- Championing Diversity and Inclusion – A record number of women speakers across panels, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to inclusivity in security leadership.
- Symbolic Start: The event commenced with a meaningful gesture by nurturing a sapling through a ceremonial watering. This plant was later placed in the Taj lawns, representing growth, sustainability, and our collective commitment to a secure future
- Strategic Collaboration: A MoU was signed between ASIS India and IFSEC, marking a significant step in strengthening collaboration between security end-users and solution providers. This partnership aims to foster deeper engagement, knowledge exchange, and ecosystem synergy.
Each of these achievements was not coincidental. They were the result of intentional planning, collective execution, and a deep understanding of what our community values most.
The Joy of Contribution: A High Beyond Recognition
The ASIS South Asia Meet 2025 was not built overnight. It was built through the spirit of volunteering, shared purpose, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
For me, being part of this journey was deeply fulfilling not just as a contributor, but as someone who witnessed firsthand how passion and planning can turn a vision into reality. This event reaffirmed that when Volunteer Leadership rises to the occasion, nothing is impossible.
To every volunteer, speaker, partner, and delegate thank you for believing in this vision. You didn’t just attend an event. You helped shape a legacy.
The author, Col. Kanwal Kishore, is Head of Facility Management (Residential), Pan India Projects of L&T Realty and Member of the ASIS International’s APAC Board
