FHRAI In Association With HRAWI Hosts Knowledge Summit On Cybersecurity And Digital Personal Data Protection Rules In Indore

Mumbai, Jan 09: 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), successfully 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 Shri Tulsiram Silawat, Hon’ble Minister of Water Resources, Government of Madhya Pradesh (MP), as the Chief Guest. Shri Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President, FHRAI; Shri Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI; Shri Garish Oberoi, Hon. Secretary, FHRAI; and Shri Sumit Suri, President, IHA, provided unified representation of the hospitality industry at the national and regional levels.

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.

“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 Mr 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 Mr 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 Hon’ble 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 Mr. Sumit Suri, President, IHA.

About the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI

The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI is a 75 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Restaurants and Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and is considered to be the voice of the Hospitality Industry. The association is part of the national body of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.