Akash is an experienced technology and cybersecurity leader driving digital transformation, cyber resilience, and operational technology (OT) security in the refining sector. He leads Cybersecurity Operations, the OT Security Operations Center (OT-SOC), and Cloud Strategy, while managing mission-critical refinery systems. His expertise includes Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), such as AspenTech IP.21, Oil Accounting & Reconciliation, Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and other enterprise and industrial applications that support safe, secure, and efficient operations. Akash has led several landmark downstream oil and gas initiatives. He spearheaded one of India’s first refinery OT Security Operations Centers, strengthening cybersecurity for critical industrial infrastructure. He also helped deploy the LIMS platform across all four refineries, including the erstwhile NRL, improving standardization, efficiency, and data integrity. In addition, he played a key role in commissioning IT systems for the Petrochemical Development & Diversification Project (PDPP) at Kochi Refinery, supporting the launch of one of India’s pioneering integrated petrochemical complexes. Akash is a Computer Science Engineer and holds multiple professional certifications in Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing.