Indian market has witnessed a notable transformation in its cybersecurity landscape

In recent years, the Indian market has witnessed a notable transformation in its cybersecurity landscape, “largely propelled by rapid digitalization across industries”, says Zakir Hussain, CEO - BD Soft in an exclusive interaction with Bizz Buzz.

How have you seen the Indian market's approach to cybersecurity evolve over the past few years, particularly with the increasing digitalization of businesses?

In recent years, the Indian market has witnessed a notable transformation in its cybersecurity landscape, largely propelled by rapid digitalization across industries. Enterprises are moving beyond reactive measures, embracing a more strategic and preventive approach to security. There is a marked increase in the adoption of advanced threat detection, endpoint security, and data protection technologies. Heightened cyber risks and evolving regulatory mandates have prompted sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and government to implement robust cybersecurity frameworks. Additionally, organizations are investing in employee training and structured incident response. This shift underscores the growing understanding of cybersecurity as a critical pillar of sustainable business strategy and operational resilience.

What are some of the most critical cybersecurity challenges that Indian organizations—especially SMEs—are currently facing in 2025-26?

In 2025–26, Indian organizations—especially SMEs—are navigating an increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity environment, challenged by limited resources and evolving threat vectors. Critical issues include a surge in ransomware attacks, social engineering threats such as phishing, and vulnerabilities stemming from unpatched systems. Many SMEs continue to face a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and lack formalized incident response frameworks. The proliferation of hybrid work has further complicated endpoint and cloud security management. Additionally, the need to align with emerging data protection regulations intensifies operational pressure. Overcoming these hurdles necessitates strategic investment in managed security services, employee awareness programs, and flexible, scalable security infrastructures.

With the growing adoption of AI in cybersecurity, how do you see its role shifting in threat detection, incident response, and risk mitigation?

The accelerating adoption of AI in cybersecurity is transforming the way organizations manage threat detection, incident response, and risk mitigation. AI-powered solutions offer advanced anomaly detection, predictive threat intelligence, and real-time data analysis, significantly improving both the speed and accuracy of threat identification. In the context of incident response, AI facilitates intelligent alert prioritization and automates routine tasks, enabling security teams to concentrate on high-impact actions. Additionally, AI strengthens risk mitigation by continuously learning from emerging threats, minimizing false positives, and ensuring adaptive protection. As threat landscapes evolve, AI is increasingly recognized as a strategic enabler within modern, resilient cybersecurity frameworks.

How do regulatory frameworks and data protection laws in India impact the cybersecurity preparedness of enterprises today?

India’s evolving regulatory frameworks and data protection laws are significantly influencing the cybersecurity posture of enterprises. The implementation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, along with industry-specific compliance mandates, has intensified the emphasis on data privacy, governance, and breach accountability. As a result, organizations are increasingly adopting structured, risk-based cybersecurity strategies, encompassing periodic assessments, data lifecycle management, and robust incident response mechanisms. Compliance is now viewed as a strategic imperative, shaping investment decisions, operational frameworks, and stakeholder trust. These regulatory developments are fostering a culture of transparency, resilience, and sustained commitment to safeguarding sensitive information across the enterprise ecosystem.

What role do channel partners play in delivering cybersecurity solutions to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and how do you see this ecosystem evolving?

Channel partners serve as vital enablers in extending cybersecurity solutions to India’s tier 2 and tier 3 cities, positioning themselves as strategic consultants and trusted implementation allies for regional businesses. They effectively connect leading cybersecurity OEMs with emerging markets by delivering customized solutions, localized expertise, and agile deployment capabilities. With the rapid pace of digitalization in these geographies, channel partners are transitioning from transactional roles to value-driven contributors—facilitating compliance, enhancing cyber readiness, and promoting security awareness. This ecosystem is poised for continued evolution, underpinned by focused investments in partner training, certification, and co-engagement models, driving inclusive and resilient cybersecurity growth.

Cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated. What preventive or adaptive strategies would you recommend for Indian companies to stay resilient in this environment?

In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, Indian enterprises must embrace a comprehensive and adaptive cybersecurity framework to maintain operational resilience. This entails deploying advanced threat detection and response capabilities, performing regular vulnerability assessments, and ensuring timely patch management. Strengthening the human layer through continuous cybersecurity awareness and training programs is equally critical. Integrating AI-powered analytics, zero trust principles, and robust endpoint security further enhances threat visibility and control. Moreover, the establishment of well-defined incident response and business continuity protocols is imperative. By aligning security initiatives with strategic business goals and regulatory mandates, organizations can proactively mitigate risks and safeguard digital assets.

BD Soft has partnered with multiple global cybersecurity brands. Could you tell us about your recent partnerships and how they align with your vision for the Indian market?

BD Soft has strategically broadened its cybersecurity portfolio through alliances with globally recognized technology providers such as GTB Technologies, Crossware, FileCloud, and Axidian. These partnerships are pivotal to our vision of addressing the evolving security and productivity demands of the Indian market. By offering integrated solutions across data loss prevention, secure email communication, file management, and identity access management, we are equipped to deliver end-to-end cybersecurity frameworks to a wide spectrum of industries. These collaborations reinforce our commitment to driving digital resilience across Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities, enabling organizations to adopt scalable, secure, and future-ready IT environments.

Can you share some insights on BD Soft’s revenue growth, channel expansion, and future roadmap for scaling operations across India and beyond?

We are pleased to report a 37% year-over-year increase in our active channel partner network, driven by targeted onboarding initiatives across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India, strategic alliances, and a robust partner enablement framework. On the customer acquisition front, we have recorded a 41% growth in our client base, reflecting strong market demand for our cybersecurity and productivity solutions across SMBs, enterprises, and government sectors. We remain on track to achieve a 50% expansion in our channel ecosystem across India and beyond, along with a projected 60% growth in clientele, supported by a diversified OEM portfolio and enhanced regional and international engagement initiatives.

EoM.