The winners of the 2026 India & South Asia Security & Safety Entrepreneur Awards (SSEAs) were announced today at a prestigious live ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, during Day One of ICES 2026. The awards ceremony took place alongside the Cyber Outstanding Security Performance Awards (Cyber OSPAs), bringing together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the region’s security and cyber ecosystems.
The SSEAs recognise outstanding entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and organisations that are shaping the future of the security and safety sectors through innovation, leadership, and impact across India and South Asia.
After a rigorous and independent judging process, assessed against clearly defined criteria to ensure transparency and credibility, the 2026 winners were revealed as follows:
2026 India & South Asia SSEAs Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year
Sai Krishna Domala – Security India / Virtual Protect Security Pvt Ltd
Sai Krishna Domala, Founder of Virtual Protect Security Pvt. Ltd., pioneered the concept of Community Security and Safety and led early deployments of AI-powered Command & Control Centres across municipalities in Andhra Pradesh, significantly advancing civic security through technology. The judges praised his visionary leadership and ability to deliver scalable, high-impact security solutions for public institutions and communities.
Intrapreneur of the Year
Syed Arshad Ali – Ethic Management Services Pvt Ltd
Syed Arshad Ali transformed India’s retail sector by introducing structured Retail Security and Loss Prevention frameworks at a time when the industry lacked formal safeguards, enabling retailers to protect assets and manage risk more effectively. Judges’ Comment: The judges recognised his intrapreneurial drive and practical innovation in creating lasting change across the retail security landscape.
The awards celebrate excellence across a diverse and dynamic region, with this year’s finalists and winners representing entrepreneurial talent from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Their work reflects the growing influence of South Asia in driving innovation, resilience, and growth within the global security and safety landscape.
Speaking at the ceremony, the organisers highlighted the importance of recognising leadership that not only responds to today’s security challenges but actively shapes solutions for the future.
The India & South Asia SSEAs are organised in partnership with ITP Media Group, with MitKat Advisory supporting the programme as the Knowledge Partner. The awards continue to serve as a platform to spotlight excellence, inspire innovation, and connect industry leaders across the region.
