Mr. Dinesh Pillai
Dinesh K. Pillai is a globally recognized expert in Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Corporate Investigations, and Digital Forensics, with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. A TEDx Speaker and postgraduate in Electronic Engineering, Dinesh has built an illustrious career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and governance—helping organizations navigate complex challenges in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
Dinesh began his professional journey with the Tata Group and went on to serve as the CEO of Mahindra Special Services Group (MSSG), where he positioned the organization as a leading name in risk mitigation and smart city implementations. He later took charge as the Managing Director of DeRix Pvt Ltd (formerly Digital Forensis Pvt Ltd), where he swiftly established the company as a key player in the Risk, Compliance, and Cybersecurity domain. Currently, he serves as the Group CEO of the Legasis Group, driving growth across its businesses and steering its vision to be a global leader in Compliance, Risk Management, and Legal Intelligence.
With over 35 years of multifaceted experience in process automation, digital forensics, fraud risk management, cyber and information security, business continuity, and data privacy, Dinesh has successfully led and executed more than 500 projects for leading corporations and government agencies. His clientele includes eminent names such as the Tata Group, Mahindra Group, Aditya Birla Group, Godrej Group, HUL, Piramal Group, Infosys, Vodafone, SAP, Airtel, GAIL, and GMR, among others.
As a strategic advisor to boards and senior leadership, Dinesh provides counsel on emergingrisks, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity governance. His work has significantly influenced how organizations detect, investigate, and prevent cyber threats, data breaches, and financial frauds, building resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
A recognized thought leader and keynote speaker, Dinesh is known for his compelling insights into fraud risk management, cyber threat mitigation, competitive advantage, and business intelligence. His TEDx talk, “Let Us Become a Cyber Criminal,” offers a thought-provoking perspective on how organizations can strengthen their defenses by thinking like adversaries. He also hosts the distinguished talk series, “CEO – Think Like a Criminal,” which explores behavioral contradictions in the digital realm and innovative strategies for fraud prevention. Beyond corporate leadership, Dinesh has been an active contributor to policy and governance initiatives in cybersecurity. He has served on the Joint Working Group on Public-Private Partnership on Cyber Security under the aegis of the Deputy National Security Advisor, Government of India, and has been a part of the CII National Committee on Telecom and Broadband and the ASSOCHAM National Council on Cyber Security. As the Chairman of the Safety and Security Committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2010–11), he played a pivotal role in shaping Mumbai’s post-crisis security agenda. He continues to engage actively with leading industry bodies including CII, BCCI, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM, contributing to both national and international initiatives.A seasoned business leader, Dinesh is celebrated for his ability to build, scale, and inspire highperformance teams while driving organizational growth through innovation and trust. His leadership at Mahindra SSG, DeRix, and now Legasis Group has been marked by transformative impact, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Today, Dinesh K. Pillai stands as one of India’s foremost voices in cybersecurity, privacy, and risk governance, offering a rare blend of technical depth, investigative experience, and visionary leadership—empowering organizations to thrive securely in a world defined by digital complexity and evolving threats.