Hedge Fund Association Appoints Align's Vinod Paul to Chair Cybersecurity Committee

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 22, 2026--

Align, the premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions and Managed IT services, announced that Vinod Paul, President of Align Managed Services, has been appointed Chair of the Hedge Fund Association's Cybersecurity Committee.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260922331597/en/

In this role, Paul will lead efforts to provide alternative investment professionals with practical education, informed perspectives and opportunities to exchange ideas about evolving cyber threats, regulatory expectations, and risk-management practices. He will also assist HFA’s Executive Committee with talent recruitment for his team and the development of events focused on cybersecurity’s growing importance to the alternative investment industry.

"Protecting the alternative investment community from cyberattacks has been a core part of Align's Managed Services business for decades, and Vinod has played a significant role in shaping that mission," said Jim Dooling, Founder and CEO of Align. "His leadership at the HFA will extend that commitment beyond our client base to the industry as a whole, which is exactly where it should be."

Founded in 1996, the Hedge Fund Association is an international nonprofit trade and nonpartisan lobbying organization committed to advancing the growth, transparency and trust of the alternative investment industry. Its global membership includes hedge funds, private equity and venture capital firms, real estate and wealth management firms, RIAs, family offices, private banks, institutional investors and financial services providers.

HFA’s Cybersecurity Committee unites industry executives and technology experts to expand awareness, address emerging threats, and encourage cyber resilience and risk-management practices. Qualified professionals interested in serving on the committee may apply here.

“AI is making cyberattacks more convincing and scalable while firms adopt the technology faster than governance can keep pace,” said Paul. “My goal at HFA is to cut through the noise and help our industry make informed, practical cybersecurity decisions.”

Paul was selected for his extensive experience in financial services technology and cybersecurity. As President of Align Managed Services, he oversees the firm’s managed services offerings, including Align Cybersecurity™. For more than two decades, he has helped alternative investment firms strengthen their cyber defenses, manage technology risk and address evolving threats. His accolades include recognition on Channel Futures’ Most Influential MSP Leaders list and being named Technology Leader of the Year at the 2026 FTF News Technology Innovation Awards, where Align also received the award for Best Cybersecurity & Data Protection Solution.

About Align

Align is a premier global provider of technology infrastructure solutions. For 40 years, leading firms worldwide have relied on Align to guide them through IT challenges, delivering complete, secure solutions for business change and growth. Align is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has offices in New York City, London, Virginia, Arizona, New Jersey, Chicago, San Francisco, Salt Lake City & Portland. Learn more at www.align.com.

Hedge Fund Association Appoints Align's Vinod Paul to Chair Cybersecurity Committee

SANO, Japan (AP) — Japan nearly pulled off one of the major upsets in international T20 cricket as it celebrated 75 years of friendship with reigning world champion India on Tuesday.

The match was hosted as part of an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship.

It was delayed nearly three hours, first by the late arrival of match officials and the Indian team due to traffic and then by a wet outfield. The match was then reduced to five overs per side as Japan gave the three-time world champions a royal scare before falling two runs short.

“The attitude and approach the Japanese team showed today was impeccable and kudos to them,” said Indian captain Shreyas Iyer.

“Their approach was outstanding. So I’m sure that they are on the right track right now and they’ve got a couple more matches against Afghanistan and Nepal (at the Asian Games), they would be brilliant.”

India opted to bat and finished 32-4 in its five overs, with Iyer scoring 16 off 12 balls. Japan’s Charlie Hara-Hinze, a 17-year-old left-arm spinner, etched his name in the history books by getting Abhishek Sharma out for a duck and also dismissing Iyer.

Axar Patel and Washington Sundar then held their own to defend India’s low score. Skipper Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming scored 12 runs before getting dismissed in the fourth over as Japan finished 30-3.

In a tense last over with Japan needing eight for victory, umpires overturned one of the two wide-ball decisions as left-handed batter Alexander Shirai-Patmore kept on trying to switch hit against Patel’s down the leg-side deliveries.

When umpire Chris Thurgate of Japan signaled a second wide ball that brought down the target to five runs off four balls, Indian players protested. Square leg umpire Chris Brown of New Zealand intervened and convinced Thurgate to overturn his wide-ball decision.

Despite the defeat, it was a heroic effort from the 41st-ranked Japanese team against the biggest team in world cricket.

“I’ve been saying to a few other guys that when (the game) gets that close, (the loss is) actually a little bit tougher to take and the emotions are running pretty high in our group,” Kadowaki-Fleming said.

“But the fact that we were able to run the best team in the world, in my opinion, to the last ball of a game is pretty special.”

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

A group dances during a pre-game ceremony before the India vs Japan Suzuki Cup T20 cricket match in Sano, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tomohiro Ohsumi)

Fans of India cheer before the India vs Japan Suzuki Cup T20 cricket match in Sano, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tomohiro Ohsumi)

Japan's players celebrate a Indian wicket during the Suzuki Cup T20 cricket match in Sano, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tomohiro Ohsumi)

India's Sanju Samson bats against Japan during the Suzuki Cup T20 cricket match in Sano, Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (AP Photo/Tomohiro Ohsumi)