Expert Talk Series – Insights into Cybersecurity & Computing Leadership

The session witnessed participation from over 100 attendees, a mix of students from diverse branches, faculty members, and HackXACM participants. It created a platform where learners could directly interact with professionals who are not only experts in their fields but also active contributors to the growth of the broader computing community.

Session 1: Cybersecurity – Mr. Kaustubh Gothiwarekar.

The first expert talk featured a renowned cybersecurity specialist: Mr. Kaustubh Gothiwarekar, whose extensive industry experience in ethical hacking, incident response, and digital forensics gave students a rare peek into the behind-the-scenes world of cyber defense. The session covered pressing topics such as: 

• Common vulnerabilities in everyday systems

• The role of AI in both attacking and defending systems

• Real-life case studies of major security breaches

• Career pathways in cybersecurity and certifications to pursue 

Students were particularly engaged during the interactive Q&A session, which addressed practical concerns like how to get started in cybersecurity, ethical hacking tools, and how to build a strong portfolio in this domain. The talk successfully demystified cybersecurity and highlighted it as one of the most critical and exciting fields in tech today.

Session 2: The Role of ACM in Shaping Computing Careers – Talk by the Head of ACM India.

The second speaker was none other than the Head of ACM India : Dr. Geetanjali Kale , whose inspiring presence elevated the significance of the event. With a career spanning decades in academia and professional computing, the speaker shared invaluable insights into: 

• The global role of ACM in advancing computing research and education

• The benefits of being an ACM member — access to conferences, journals, SIGs, and mentorship

• How students can leverage ACM’s vast global network to connect with researchers, innovators, and technologists

• Encouragement to contribute to open-source, publish papers, and participate in ACM competitions 

This session served not just as an information-sharing opportunity, but as a motivational dialogue. It redefined how students viewed ACM — not just as a college-level chapter, but as a launchpad into the world of global computing standards, leadership, and recognition.