M&M gets award for best information security

Mumbai, September 17, 2007: Mahindra & Mahindra was recently awarded the prestigious Microsoft Security Strategist Award 2007 (in the General Industry category). The Security Strategist Award acknowledges organizations for their outstanding leadership in the field of Information Security and honors CSOs (Chief Security Officers) for displaying Information Security vision. These awards have been instituted by Microsoft Corporation and Information Security, the IT publication from the Indian Express Group.

Mr. Vijay Mahajan, Senior GM, IT Infrastructure and Information Security, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., received the award at a special ceremony held at the Technology Senate 2007 in Pattaya, Thailand.

There were three industry categories for the awards "� IT and Telecom, Banking and Finance and General Industry. Nominations were shortlisted by the Information Security editorial team and Ernst & Young, based on parameters such as Governance, Architecture, Processes, People participation and Compliance.

"This award is a clear validation of our efforts to ensure Information Security across the organization. 'Project Suraksha', our Information Security initiative was launched in 2002 and has since progressed from 'Security of IT Infrastructure' to 'Security of Information across M&M.' Project Suraksha adopts an organization wide approach to security, encompassing People, Processes, Policies and Technology. Training, awareness and involvement of employees are important aspects of the whole process," said Mr. Arvind Tawde "� Senior VP and CIO, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd.

To achieve its aim of security across the organization, M&M created a clearly defined security management structure, headed by an 'Information Security Apex Committee' responsible for driving policies. The 'Information Security Council' comprising of representatives from all locations and functions, is responsible for implementation of defined policies & procedures.

M&M is the first Indian company in the manufacturing industry to attain BS:7799 certification in the year 2006 for the whole organization, including multiple plants, R&D centres, sales offices and corporate offices. In 2007, the company successfully migrated to ISO/IEC 27001:2005. The company was also honoured with an MIS Asia IT Excellence Award for best corporate security project.

About The Mahindra Group: The US $4.5 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top three tractor manufacturers in the world and is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including trade and financial services (Mahindra Intertrade, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd.), automotive components, information technology & telecom (Tech Mahindra, Bristlecone), and infrastructure development (Mahindra GESCO, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd., Mahindra World City). With over 60 years of manufacturing experience, the Mahindra Group has built a strong base in technology, engineering, marketing and distribution, which are key in its evolution as a customer-centric organization.

The Group employs over 40,000 people and has several state-of-the-art facilities in India and overseas. The Mahindra Group has ambitious global aspirations and has a presence in five continents. Mahindra products are today available in every continent except Antarctica. M&M has one tractor manufacturing plant in China and three assembly plants in the United States. It has made strategic acquisitions across the globe including Stokes Forgings (UK), Jeco Holding AG (Germany) and Schoneweiss & Co GmbH (Germany). Its global subsidiaries include Mahindra Europe Srl. based in Italy, Mahindra USA Inc. and Mahindra South Africa.

M&M has entered into partnerships with international companies like Renault SA, France, and International Truck and Engine Corporation, USA. The Group recently made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with Logan, a product of its JV with Renault SA. Forbes has ranked the Mahindra Group in its Top 200 list of the World's Most Reputable Companies and in the Top 10 list of Most Reputable Indian companies.