FHRAI–HRAWI host cybersecurity & data protection summit in Indore
FHRAI–HRAWI-1
The event served as a timely and impactful platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building and dialogue, aimed at enabling hospitality stakeholders to better understand and prepare for compliance under the DPDP Rules, and to deliberate on their practical implications for the sector.
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in association with the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI and the Indore Hotel Association (IHA), organised a knowledge Summit on ‘Cybersecurity and Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025’ on January 4, 2026, at the Hotel Omni Residency in Indore.
The Summit was graced by Tulsiram Silawat, Minister of Water Resources, Government of Madhya Pradesh (MP), as the Chief Guest. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI; Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI; Garish Oberoi, Secretary, FHRAI; and Sumit Suri, President, IHA, provided unified representation of the hospitality industry at the national and regional levels.
“For several decades, FHRAI and HRAWI have led the way in shaping policies and practices for the tourism and hospitality sector. For the hospitality industry, where guest data, digital transactions and technology-driven services are integral, understanding the evolving regulatory environment under the DPDP Act, 2023 has become critically important. The Knowledge Summit marked another important milestone in that continuing effort to future-proof the industry and we are glad that the event witnessed good participation from members across the State,” says Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.
With the DPDP Rules, 2025 ushering in a significant transformation in India’s data governance framework, the Summit highlighted how data protection has evolved from being a mere legal obligation to becoming a core operational and strategic priority for organisations. The summit featured a technical session conducted by Abhijit Parab, Partner – Cybersecurity, Ernst & Young, which delved into the nuances of cybersecurity and DPDP compliance.
“The seamless integration of robust data protection protocols is no longer optional; it is fundamental to operational integrity and guest confidence. Such a summit bridges the gap between regulation and practical implementation, empowering our members to navigate this new digital responsibility with clarity and confidence. We also appreciate the progressive tourism policy of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, which is encouraging investment and strengthening the hospitality ecosystem. Initiatives such as these further reinforce the strong bond and collaborative relationship between FHRAI and HRAWI and reflect the value of meaningful engagement and growing membership through HRAWI,” says Sumit Suri, President, IHA.
