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RAMESH NATARAJAN
CEO, Redington Limited

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INDIA DATA CENTER MARKETSCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Modi praises India's
electronics exports, whichhave risen to the third rank
The growth in electronics exports
from India has brought great satisfaction,according to Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. Exports of electronics are now
among the top three in the world. This
credit was given by Modi to creative
Yuva Shakti. The Prime Minister went
on to say that India is still determined tomaintain this momentum in the future.
Prime Minister Modi in his tweet
wrote, “This is indeed a matter ofimmense joy. India’s prowess inelectronics is powered by our innovative
Yuva Shakti. It is also a testament to ouremphasis on reforms and boosting @makeinindia . India remains committed
to continuing this momentum in thetimes to come.”

FOR MORE PAGE 36

ID-REDACTYOUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

India’s semiconductor
market to surpass $100
billion by 2030, says Union
Minister of State for IT

Jitin Prasada in Parliament said
that the Indian semiconductor market
is projected to surpass $100 billion in
valuation by 2030. The market includes
a robust chip design and engineering
sector.
Initiatives that will help thedomestic semiconductor market reachthe milestone included productionlinked incentive (PLI) schemes forsetting up chip fabs (fabrication plants),
display fabs, chip testing and packaging
plants, a design-linked incentive (DLI)
scheme to further boost local chip
design, and finally, promotion of
local component manufacturing anddomestic manufacturing of “large scale
electronics," he added.

www.datasafeguard.ai

www.varindia.com August 2024

3

HELLO INDIA
Today, enterprises are under increasing pressure to adopt AI to remain competitive.
This is leading to a surge in investments in AI infrastructure, including high-performance
AI chips.
With this the battle for dominance in the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market
has become one of the most critical arenas in the tech industry, as AI continues totransform various aspects of society and business.
Nvidia has established an overwhelming lead, controlling an astonishing 95% of
the AI chip market. This dominance is largely due to its cutting-edge GPUs (Graphics
Processing Units) that have become the backbone of AI applications, particularly large
language models (LLMs) like those powering ChatGPT.
Nvidia's journey to the top began with the launch of its A100 GPU in 2020, whichquickly became the go-to solution for high-performance computing and AI workloads.
The A100 was a game-changer, built on a 7-nanometer process node, and it significantly
outperformed competitors, including AMD's MI250X, particularly in LLM training
tasks.
Nvidia followed this up with the H100 in 2022, a processor boasting 80 billion
transistors—26 billion more than its predecessor. The H100 further cemented Nvidia's
dominance, driving $47.5 billion in data center revenue in 2023, a massive leap from $15
billion the previous year.

TECH
GIANTSBATTLEFOR AI CHIP
SUPREMACY
The AI chip market is booming as the demand
for accelerated computing and generative AI
increases globally. The global economic trend
towards digitalization and automation is further
fueling the demand for AI and accelerated
computing technologies.
AI is being rapidly adopted by industries likehealthcare, finance, manufacturing, and customer
service to enhance efficiency, productivity, anddecision-making. This leads to a higher demandfor powerful AI chips that can handle complex
workloads and large datasets.
It is further fueled with the development oflarge language models (LLMs) and other advanced
AI models that require significant computational
power. These models are trained on massive
datasets using accelerated computing hardware like
GPUs and TPUs.
Secondly, there is growing adoption of edge
computing, where AI processing is performed closer
to the data source, is driving demand for smaller,
more efficient AI chips that can be integrated
into devices like smartphones, IoT sensors, andindustrial equipment.

4

August 2024 www.varindia.com

While Nvidia has enjoyed unprecedented success, other tech giants have been
scrambling to catch up. AMD's MI300, released at the end of 2023, represents its mostserious attempt to challenge Nvidia, but the market has already been solidly captured.
Intel, too, has been left trailing in Nvidia's wake, with both companies struggling tomatch the performance and adoption of Nvidia's GPUs.
In response to Nvidia's market dominance, several of its major customers havestarted developing their own AI chips. Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet haveall embarked on in-house chip development, driven by the high prices and limited
availability of Nvidia's GPUs. Meta, for instance, announced its second-generation
AI chip, built on a 5nm process node, while Microsoft revealed two custom AI chips
towards the end of 2023. Amazon and Alphabet have also made significant strides, with
Alphabet's Axion custom processor being the latest addition to this growing list.
Despite these developments, Nvidia's position at the top of the AI chip market
appears secure for the foreseeable future. All the major tech companies, despite theirin-house efforts, continue to rely heavily on Nvidia's GPUs. This reliance is expected tocontinue, especially with the anticipated launch of Nvidia's next-generation Blackwell
AI GPU, which has already attracted interest from industry giants who plan to deploy
it as soon as it becomes available.
While the AI chip battle is far from over, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are indeed
engaged in a fierce competition to develop and release the most advanced AI chips, as
the demand for AI and machine learning technologies continues to soar. This "armsrace" is driven by the need for chips that can handle increasingly complex AI workloads
with greater efficiency, speed, and power.
The competition among these chipmakers is driving rapid advancements in AI
hardware, leading to more powerful and efficient chips that can handle the growing
demands of AI applications across industries. This includes everything from autonomousvehicles and smart cities to advanced medical diagnostics and financial modeling.
As these companies continue to innovate, we can expect to see even more specialized
and powerful AI chips that push the boundaries of what is possible with artificial
intelligence.
Moving forward, the future trajectory of this battle will not only shape the AI
landscape but will also have profound implications for the broader technology industry
and, by extension, the future of mankind.

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5

CONTENTS
COVER STORY / 26pg

Website: www.varindia.com

Publisher: Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu
Editor: S Mohini Ratna
Executive Editor: Dr. Vijay Anand
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www.varindia.com August 2024

7

Redington, India's Top Choice: Shaping
the Future of Technology Distribution"Ramesh Natarajan, CEO, Redington Limited shares his views on why Redington is thenumero uno distributor in the country and elaborates on the areas of focus in the fastevolving Tech landscape"What do you attribute Redington’s
success to in becoming the #1
distributor in India?
Partnership is a core tenet at Redington,
and we believe this has been instrumental in
our growth and success over the three decadesof our operations. Successful outcomes forcustomers is the result of our collaboration
with the broader ecosystem, including
channel, brands, ISVs, service providers andso on.
With our partnership with global brands,
we offer a diverse and comprehensive
portfolio of technologies that is relevant forour markets.
Notably, we are the first Distributor
to have been publicly listed (since 2007),
driving the highest levels of transparency andcorporate governance. The support of ourinvestor community and banking partners
has been a significant enabler for our growth.
Redington’s focus on sustainability
and corporate social responsibility has also
contributed to the overall success. We haveintegrated sustainable practices into ourbusiness model.
The expertise and dedication of ourtalented workforce has been the backbone of
our achievements. Our employees embody
an intrapreneurial culture that is crucial inpowering our strategic partnerships anddriving innovation. We are proud to have anexperienced executive leadership team thathas been invaluable in shaping the direction
and strong engagement with stakeholders.
We are deeply humbled by the recognition
and grateful to the partner ecosystem formaking us who we are, and commit to scaling
our engagement further.

Redington has been a key player indriving technological adoption andbusiness growth across India. Could
you elaborate on your strategy for this,and what the roadmap looks like for
FY 2024-25?
Our evolution over the years reflects ourcommitment to providing relevant solutions
to partners and customers. The broad phasesof this journey are as follows:• Distribution 1.0 (Reach, Efficiency,
Scale): focusing on primary distributionfunctions such as logistics, credit, coverage,
capital adequacy, core distribution skills
etc.)

8

August 2024 www.varindia.com• Distribution
2.0(Value-AddedDistribution): we enhanced our offerings
with pre-sales, certifications, channel
finance, digitalization addressing theincreasing complexity of tech offeringsand channel / customer needs. This
phase also saw our foray into Cloudtechnologies, and enabling consumption
models such as subscription, renewals,
annuities etc.
• Distribution 3.0 (Technology Solutions
Distribution): we have enhanced ourvalue proposition further, focusing on
helping partners achieve their customers’
business outcomes. This includes digitalbusiness models, hyper-personalization,customized
distribution
solutions,digitally enabled workflows, moving fromtransactional to contractual relationships,
Marketing-as-a-Service and so on.

With a diverse product and solution
portfolio, which sectors is Redington
focusing on, and how are you
addressing their unique needs?
The diversity of Product and Solution
portfolio reflects the broader consumptionof ICT market, and this is a core strengthof our offering. Even as we evaluate newer
and emerging verticals, we would ensure
continued focus on strengthening our coretechnology offerings. As we do so, we seek toleverage on tailwinds for our core categories.
Cloud has been one of the fastest growing
segments for the industry, powered by huge
upside for cloud adoption, as well as bornin-the-cloud applications. We have been apioneer in cloud distribution in India and areproud of our long-standing partnerships withall the hyperscalers. Apart from IaaS andPaaS, we would further build on our suite ofworld-class SaaS offerings, leveraging on our
Cloud Platform CloudQuarks.
Our Mobility offering includes the bestof Smartphone and accessory (including
wearables / hearables) brands. We haveexciting initiatives in this vertical, aimed at
improving reach and coverage, with our
Digital Platform as well as tech applications
that address specific needs of this segment(such as lower supply chain TAT, highfrequency, credit, affordability programsetc.).
The Core IT stack is an exciting space
to watch out for. Key developments on thisfront include the advent of AI PCs, “software-

RAMESH NATARAJAN

CEO, REDINGTON LIMITED

defined” enterprise IT infrastructure, trend
towards hybrid cloud, growth of data centersand so on. We are closely engaged with brands
and partners to bring the best of technologies
to market, as we leverage on these trends.
Building on our presence in the Solarbusiness, we also seek to play a significant
part in the growth of renewable energy inIndia, in the coming years.

Can you share more about Redington'smarket presence within India andits global footprint? How does thisgeographical reach contribute to yourbusiness strategy?
Apart from India, we have a significant
presence in the emerging market geographies
across 40 countries of Middle East, Africa,
Turkey and South Asia, making Redington
the 7th largest Distributor globally.
Across these markets we offer the entire
gamut of IT products, Smartphones and Solar
products. Our Service & Solutions include
Managed Cloud, Logistics, BPM, BPO and3D Printing services.
Our ability to cross-pollinate learnings
from these markets has contributed to our
growth. With a “One Redington” approach,
we seek to bring the best of people, processes
and knowledge for the benefit of each of ourmarkets.

Considering the evolving tech industry,what is Redington’s key strategy for
empowering its channel partners?
In view of the fast-paced tech evolution,
we have identified that there is a need forholistic platforms to cater to the needs of ourpartners while empowering them to manage
their businesses more efficiently. Some of theinitiatives to equip partners in this landscapeinclude :• We have a robust Digital Platform offering– RedingtonOnline – built to address thescale and complexity of diverse businessverticals and business models of partners.
Apart from operational efficiency,
partners can benefit from a wider suiteof offerings as well as programs on the
Digital Platform• CloudQuarks – our Cloud Platform –enables seamless workflows for the Cloud
consumption models.
• Apart from these, we have various
programs in partnership with brands /hyperscalers to equip partners with tools
and expertise:Ø AWS supports Redington and its
channel partners with businessand technical expertise, including
training and enablement, solution
development, and building technicalcompetency support to accelerate
their growth. Redington upskills its
partners to cater to end customers
with a wide gamut of services fromAWS Cloud. Additionally, Redington
provides Internet of Things (IoT)
services and pre/post-sales support toensure a holistic approach to customer
satisfaction and success.
Ø We partnered with Google Cloud toempower our existing and potential
cloud partners with access to businessand technical expertise while helping
them develop resources that supportand manage their customers.
Ø In partnership with Microsoft, we
introduced the Redington Shiksha
platform, a learning platform tailoredto assist partners and their customers
globally. This platform aims toempower our partners with cloud
education and resources to better
engage with customers in the clouddomain, ultimately expanding theirbusiness opportunities.
This is a very exciting phase of ourjourney together with partners. In our quest
to solve for unprecedented complexity
and build solutions for customers, we now
have a whole new generation of tools andtechnologies that we can leverage on.

With the increasing demand for cloudbased solutions, how is Redington
equipped to support businesses with
its Cloud Migration Framework?
Our S.M.A.R.T.. Cloud Adoption
Framework helps organizations understandhow cloud-adoption transforms the way theywork, align business and technology agendas,
thereby making it easier for them to choose
the right route forward and confidently assess
impact and potential outcomes.
We have combined years of extensive
experience and knowledge to develop aunique framework that enables seamlessand secure cloud migration. We follow athree-step cloud adoption program that
addresses cloud adoption, cloud migrationand managed services. With a comprehensive

SMBs play a crucial role in the Indian economy. How is Redington
supporting SMBs in their digital transformation journey, and what specificinitiatives do you have to address their unique challenges?
As a key technology solutions provider,
Redington has tailored initiatives that
address the unique challenges facedby SMBs. One of them is "Mission
300," aimed at digitally transforming
300 towns and cities across India. Thisinitiative brings together our partnerbrands, including HP, Dell, Apple,
and Microsoft, to develop customised
technology solutions that cater to specific vertical markets. Through Mission 300,
we provide SMBs with the tools and knowledge they need to compete and grow inthe digital age, leveraging digital journeys, social media, and data-driven insights.
Redington has also directly engaged with nearly 10,000 SMBs through 150 targeted
events and digital campaigns. Our strong partnership model further enhances our
support for SMBs. We work closely with our partners to deliver greater value andensure SMBs have access to the best technology solutions available.

suite of cloud offerings, we help customers
establish governance, operational andarchitectural frameworks to mitigate risks
and increase efficiencies, reduce costs,
simplify compliance, improve security andaccelerate time to deliver on cloud.
We also offer a suite of capabilities andcompetencies that our partners can use tocomplement their offerings.

AI is rapidly transforming the techlandscape. Can you share Redington’s
proactive stance on AI-enabled
solutions, and how you plan tointegrate these technologies into yourofferings?
AI is undoubtedly a revolutionary trend,with potential for not just productivity andefficiency, but redefining entire businessmodels. However, it is still a relatively
nascent domain, and we are working closelywith all key vendors in this space to structure
several solutions.
Internally, we have an AI committee inplace to evaluate and deploy AI solutions
within Redington. We look forward to
taking these learnings to the market as well.
We have also launched RedAI, in
partnership with AWS, to equip partners
with Gen AI offerings and solutions.
On the devices front, we look forward tolaunch of many more AI PCs and other AI
embedded / AI powered devices. We havebeen offering AI tools such as Copilot andGemini for the SMB market.

How do you see the future evolving for
Redington and its partners?
At Redington we are proud of our journeyof over 30 years of robust partnerships withthe channel, brands and other stakeholders,
as well as committed human capital. We areproud to also have played a significant partin the exponential digital transformation ofIndia, over the past few years.
We are driving towards a future that isdigitally powered, and highly productive
for every participant. We seek to workwith our brand and channel partners inenabling meaningful and tangible solutions
to customers’ problems. In this endeavour
Redington’s core focus on “Innovation,
Technology and Partnerships” would be
more relevant than ever.

www.varindia.com August 2024

9

ROUND ABOUTA NEW PARADIGM FOR MEASURING DIGITAL DIVIDE
In most of the debates relating to digitization, one key phrase used very
often is the Digital Divide. Policymakers, digital service providers and a whole
lot of other people pondered over years how to bridge the widening digital
divide. Why is that phrase no longer the favorite topic and thread of discussions
among meetings of all hues- large, small and mini? Is it because that digital divide
has been largely attended to since a lot of space has been covered in this regard?
Let us understand the nuances of the digital divide first. To my understanding,it emanates from the existence of two types of people; one knowledgeable about
digital devices: how to use and knows wherewithal to use it to their advantage inall spheres of life including communication, affecting business transactions andgetting updated with the huge range of services that can be downloaded fromthe internet by the medium of their smartphones or tablets or any other digital
devices wherever they are. The other set of people are those who do not havethe knowledge base to use the smartphone or any other devices and that way
cut off from availing the goodies that internet, Apps or any other platforms cangive.
If that is crude categorization of the digitally included and excluded people,
should we assume that the second category of people cease to exist, and they
have subsumed to the first category? I feel it is too simplistic an assumption to
make. Let me examine some of the factors that would have given an impression
to the world: most of the people have become digital savvy, and the phrase
digital divide has become a hackneyed concept. Countries after countries thesedays highlight how digitization has swept into the daily lives of their citizens.
Amongst the claimants of heightened percolation of digital culture include someof the African countries, which remain at the rock bottom of development
ranking.
Undeniably, they made some progress. But a close look at their digital
breakthroughs reveals a stunning fact. The digitization can be traced mainly
to mobile money. There has been a quantum leap in the number of peopleusing mobile money in most of the poor countries in Africa or elsewhere
because of the widespread use of mobile money transactions, which are easy,
convenient and above all grossly beneficial to a large mass of people, who are cut
off from the mainstream because of the absence of banking networks. Moneytransfer is made extremely simple, cost less and quick because of the widespread
prevalence of mobile money, where you need to have a bank account in a bankor a financial entity, which can be distant from your home or place of work.
Importantly, the emergence of digital money service providers in hordes
have made the spread of mobile money easier. Most of them are telecom
service providers who have introduced mobile money as an add on service. The
other day, I saw a documentary about a country in Africa-Rwanda wherein the
documentary producer was asked to cough up money for shooting in a ruralarea to a different set of people whom he wanted to portray. As a part of the
documentary making, he visited a few places. First, he visited a shopkeeper andasked him a few questions about how his business was doing. A shot which
would have taken a half a minute. While taking a step ahead to shoot someother spot, he was stopped by the shopkeeper who demanded money for what
he was doing. The documentary maker immediately pulled out his mobile andtransferred some money to his account.
Should we consider that petty shopkeeper or the owner of that rural
household as a digitally emancipated person? Is he using the digital device toknow the latest prices in the nearby market and use that as pricing the productsthat he sells from his shop or getting to know from where he can source goods
from different markets? Does the rural house owner use his mobile phone toknow the real time weather conditions to tend the small plot of land he owns
or for getting to know the most lucrative markets for selling his produce? Do
the rural folks use their digital accessories to get the right type of education totheir children or availing the right medical help from the hospitals, which are
not in the vicinity but lying thousands of miles away? It is also introspective toknow how far those holding a digital device take advantage to connect him or
his immediate family with the outside world and try to be in the mainstream?

10

August 2024 www.varindia.com

DR. ASOKE K. LAHA
Chairman-Emeritus and FounderInterraIT

I am a votary of strengthening and deepening
the digital landscape across the world. Like in thecase of mobile money, benefits that can accrue tothe people who are in the digital sphere are manyand varied. But I strongly feel that to wish the phrase
digital divide is wrong, is far- fetched. Digital
divide can go only when people who have bypassed
the digital revolution can safely and confidently
access the same set of benefits that a highly techiesavvy fellow can avail by sitting either at his home,office or any other place. Basing money transfer as
the only benchmark for assessing the digitization
process is lopsided and creating a wedge among
the citizenry or even among countries. Digitization
should become a way of life. It must permeate into
every aspect of human life. While acknowledging
whatever landmarks that we have achieved in that
direction, my submission is that we have to go
miles to achieve that goal. Let that be our mission
and vision for a new world order since coming
generations will be upfront with more complex
digital operations. We should have different rules
for robots and man, because technology and robots
are created by man, for man and for his well -being,
not the other way round.

www.varindia.com August 2024

11

CHANNEL CHIEF

Elevating the Digital Experience of Partners andCustomers alike with Ingram Micro Xvantage

Ingram Micro’s 45-year track record in the market is a testament to
its enduring presence and experience & trust it has gained in all these years
from its partners and customers. The company has stepped it up a notch with
Ingram Micro Xvantage, the AI-driven digital platform, which is considered
to be the industry's first all-in-one business-to-consumer-like experience.
This includes integration of hardware and cloud subscriptions, personalizedrecommendations, instant pricing, order tracking, and automated billing.
In conversation with VARINDIA, Diego Utge, EVP and Group President– APAC, Ingram Micro, and Navneet Singh Bindra, Senior Vice President& Chief Country Executive, Ingram Micro India, share their views on how
Ingram Micro has evolved from a traditional tech distribution company to a
Value-added Distributor that believes in bringing value in everything it does inthe digital era.

DIEGO UTGE

Ingram Micro has been scaling greatheights of success in the last few years.
What are the key factors behind thissuccess story?
Diego Utge: What defines Ingram
Micro today is our people. Our company’slong history of over 45 years in the market
speaks volumes. We owe our success to thededicated individuals who work here. We
go about every market that we operate inby keeping customer centricity in mind
and by putting customer at the forefront of
everything that we do. We continue to makeinvestments in how we help our OEMs to
deploy technologies into the market. In
India, we have been present here for many
decades now and are present in every single
city.
Ingram Micro also continues to innovate
as a company. We bring new technologies
into the market for the benefit of enterprises,
consumers, citizens, and the government. So
we try to challenge ourselves in trying to bringmore value to the market, because at the endof the day the industry we operate in relies
largely on technology. The technologicalinnovation occurring in this country, alongwith the government’s efforts to promotetechnology adoption and enhance citizen
services, makes it clear that we are perfectly
positioned to seize these opportunities at justthe right time.

How are you enabling your partners
and customers for the digital era ofdoing business by thinking beyond

12

August 2024 www.varindia.com

traditional tech distribution?
Diego Utge: You can’t assist yourcustomers with digitization if you haven’t
digitized your own operations first. So, youneed to walk the talk. So we brought in aconcept or an expanded platform, called
Ingram Micro Xvantage to not only remove
friction from our business, but also to makesure that our partners are able to do more.
Our business of aggregation, and distributionof hardware, services, cloud, software is very
fragmented; every product has a different
pricing, depending on where the productwill be consumed or who will be consuming,and so on. So that is one of the first stage ofcomplexity.
The advantage of our platform is thatit provides our resellers and OEMs thepossibility to remove friction from the system
and interact, besides just transactions. This
will also ensure the application of the latest
technology around artificial intelligence,machine learning in a more automated anddigitized fashion. We can also provide insights
and recommendations to our partners.
NavneetSingh
Bindra:Today’s
customers comprise of mostly the Gen
X or Gen Y. So how can you provide a
consumer experience in a B2B environment?
Besides, customer demands are also changing.
Earlier, they wanted products but now theywant outcomes. So the question is, beyond
technology, what more can we deliver in adigital fashion. And that is how we empower
our partners, in order for them to deliver thoseadditional requirements, in a seamless fashion.

For instance, if we look at the consumption
part, customers are using technology on apay per month, or pay per use basis. So weneed to keep these preferences in mind todeliver those outcomes to them in a bundled
technology fashion. Another example would
be – we are all today becoming very sensitiveand concerned about the environment. How
do you ensure that this e-waste gets disposedof in a responsible and environment-friendly
manner? To address this, Ingram Micro
has its IT Asset Disposition and Lifecycle
Services and we have trained our partners
well to manage their customers’ end-of-use
IT assets in a compliant manner.

How do you believe you can elevate theexperience of partners and customers
through Ingram Micro Xvantage?
Diego Utge: Ingram Micro’s platform
is a personalized one. So depending on
how you interact with the platform, it will
eventually learn, predict how you operate
and also understand your preferences. You
can customize the way you operate. By doing
that, you will save a lot of time as you arefree from doing the repeated, mundane tasks.
So, that is a great point in terms of elevating
our consumer experience on the part of thepartners.
Navneet Singh Bindra: So, in a partnerorganization, there may be small partners
who are working in complete silos and thenthere can be large system integration partners
who operate just like any normal organization
with multiple departments. How do wedeliver a personalized experience to each one

of them? And that's a great example of how
we customize every single experience in a
B2B setting. Whether it's a 20 partner or a
20,000 partner organization across the world,
it is exactly the same experience each one ofthem gets.
Diego Utge: Another uniqueness of ourservices is our mobile first approach. So, we
provide the same experience on a mobile
phone that we provide on a desktop to
our reseller community. This ensures thatpartners have access to their customers andthe work tool all the time. The idea of having
a mobile app has helped partners to be moreproductive, as they can even close deals whileon the go without having to wait to comeback to their office.

On similar lines, you must have beencollaborating with many new OEMs andCloud MSPs to accelerate the cloudtransformation journey of customers?
Can you please give an example or two?
Diego Utge: We have been offering acomprehensive range of cloud services forover a decade, empowering our partners tosell and deploy these solutions effectively.
Our key partnerships with industry leaders
like Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Google, andothers allow us to provide a wide array ofcloud-based products. We collaborate closelywith these partners to develop targeted plans
and investments that strengthen the reseller
ecosystem. Given the specialized nature ofcloud technologies, our partners are required
to obtain specific accreditations, which we
support to ensure they can deliver robust
cloud solutions to end customers. Our focus
remains on enabling more partners to deploy
cloud services and solutions successfully.
Navneet Singh Bindra: For instance,
consider a cloud partner skilled in areas
like migration and implementation of cloudofferings. If their end customer requires asecurity solution, such as Palo Alto, thepartner might face challenges due to theirdifferent specialization. This is where
Ingram Micro steps in. With our establishedrelationships with both AWS and Palo Alto,we bring these solutions together seamlessly
on our platform. This enables the partner
to offer a comprehensive security solution
to their customer while leveraging Ingram
Micro's expertise to implement the specificsecurity posture required.
Another example is a situation where apartner is well-versed in Palo Alto but lacks
cloud expertise, yet the customer needs a
combined Palo Alto and cloud solution.
Ingram Micro bridges this gap, empowering
the partner to deliver the necessary solutions
and grow their business effectively.

As a responsible organization, you havebeen aspiring to contribute towards
a greener future. Can you pleaseelaborate upon some key initiatives
you have taken in this regard?
Diego Utge: We are deeply committed
to becoming a carbon-neutral organization
by 2030. On our website, you can find our

NAVNEET SINGH BINDRA, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNTRY EXECUTIVE,
INGRAM MICRO INDIA WITH DIEGO UTGE, EVP AND GROUP PRESIDENT – APAC,
INGRAM MICRO

2023 ESG report, which highlights our
extensive initiatives and investments acrossenvironmental, social, and governance areas.
Our 2024 ESG report will be released soon. In
this country, we have established committees
dedicated to social responsibility, focusing
on promoting female labor, gender diversity,and creating an equitable work environment
for everyone.
Navneet Singh Bindra: All our reports
are certified by independent agencies that areleaders in ESG certification. For example, inIndia, we are strongly committed to being
environmentally friendly. We leverage thepower of solar energy in our warehouse to
reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally,
we also use battery-operated delivery
vehicles, which may come at a higher cost
but reflect our dedication to environmental
sustainability. We also offer extensive IT
asset disposal services, ensuring that end-oflife IT assets are disposed of in an eco-friendly
manner. Furthermore, we are actively
promoting Green PCs and are focused onbringing this offering to various customer
segments.

Small and Medium-sized Businesses(SMBs) are a crucial segment in the
Indian economy. How is Ingram Microtailoring its offerings to cater tothe specific needs of SMBs in India,
especially those in emerging cities?
Diego Utge: The GDP of this country is
spread across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities,
with SMBs serving as the key engine of theeconomy. Supporting SMBs is always a toppriority for us in every country. We define
SMBs as small and medium-sized resellers,
who typically serve small and medium-sizedend customers or enterprises. While we also
operate in the large enterprise space, ourvalue proposition is particularly strong for
SMB resellers due to our aggregation model,
which includes specialization, certifications,and financial offerings. These resellers canrely on us to enhance their capabilities andexpand their reach. Larger enterprises often
have in-house skills, so their needs may differ
based on market segments, but SMBs remain
our primary focus. To support them, we
conduct targeted roadshows and enablement
sessions in this country.
Navneet Singh Bindra: One of our recent
initiatives is SMB TechTalks. SMB customers
and partners, whether in small towns or large
cities, often lack the technology exposure thatlarger partners or enterprises enjoy. Without
in-house IT departments, they face challenges
in adopting and utilizing technology to growtheir businesses. To address this, we organize
SMB TechTalks in specific cities, where we
invite end customers to experience technology
firsthand and explore ready-to-use solutions.
We also invite SMB partners to learn how
they can collaborate with Ingram Micro tooffer comprehensive solutions to their SMB
customers without worrying about support,
implementation, or technical expertise.
This initiative empowers SMB partners to
confidently address their customers' needs.
Our recent TechTalks attracted over 3,000
participants, underscoring the demand forsuch guidance and solidifying Ingram Microas the go-to solution provider.

www.varindia.com August 2024

13

HOT BYTESCapgemini and SAP to empower India’s
youth and bridge the digital divide

Capgemini announced its collaboration with SAP to launch theCapgemini-SAP Digital Academy program; an initiative aimed atproviding employment-linked skill training to marginalized youths
in India. This joint initiative will focus on providing vocational andtechnical skills training to disadvantaged youths across six cities
in India including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad,
Mumbai, and Pune.
Through this collaboration, Capgemini in India and SAP unite
their corporate social responsibility (CSR) visions to provide youth
from underprivileged communities with training in courses alignedwith market demands. Additionally, this partnership aims to influence
policy advocacy to revolutionize the skilling ecosystem. Emphasizing
gender inclusivity, the initiative prioritizes bridging the gap in techrelated fields by ensuring over 50% of participants are young women,thus fostering inclusive socio-economic growth.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise toacquire Morpheus Data

Hewlett Packard Enterprise has entered into a definitive
agreement to acquire Morpheus Data, a pioneer in software forhybrid cloud management and platform operations. The acquisitionof Morpheus reflects HPE’s commitment to simplify IT complexity
by expanding the hybrid
operations
capabilities
available
through
HPE
GreenLake cloud. Unifying
complete hybrid capabilities
on a single platform like
HPE GreenLake is critical asenterprises grapple with IT
estates that are more heterogenous and complex to manage.
Morpheus will enhance HPE GreenLake by providing multivendor, multicloud application provisioning, orchestration andautomation, as well as FinOps capabilities for cloud cost optimization.
Morpheus complements HPE’s successful acquisition of IT operations
management leader OpsRamp in 2023. These capabilities will solidify
HPE as the first vendor to provide a full suite of enterprise-grade
capabilities and services across the hybrid cloud stack2 and will
make HPE GreenLake the future-proof hybrid cloud destination forenterprises.

CSC e-Governance Services India and Fortinet
to fortify cybersecurity in rural India

Fortinet and CSC e-Governance Services India (CSC SPV), a
Special Purpose Vehicle incorporated by the Ministry of Electronics
and Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India,
announced their strategic partnership through the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This collaboration aims to enhance the cybersecurity resilienceof the networks and systems providing government services throughCommon Service Centres (CSC) across rural India. The MoU signifies
a major step forward in securing e-governance services and networksof CSCs by improving cybersecurity readiness, implementing bestpractices, and providing user training.
Sanjay Rakesh, MD and CEO-CSC SPV said, “At CSC, we arecommitted to enhancing the security, privacy, reliability, and integrityof the computing environment. This partnership underscores ashared commitment to enhance the cybersecurity landscape in rural
India, ensuring a secure and resilient digital future for all citizens. By
combining Fortinet's global cybersecurity expertise with CSC SPV's
extensive reach and influence, this alliance is poised to significantly
improve the protection of India's digital infrastructure and contributeto the overall economic and digital security of the country."

KPMG in India partners with Zscaler tohelp organizations deal with cyber risks

KPMG in India and Zscaler have announced the launch of astrategic alliance to jointly provide Zero Trust principle-aligned
data security services to customers in India. KPMG in India will bedelivering a unified technology solution which would enable them toconsolidate and simplify their cloud security operations for customers.
Such services could facilitate the advancement of an organization’s
security architecture from ineffective legacy models to a modern Zero
Trust approach designed for the cloud. According to KPMG in India’s
2023 India CEO Outlook, 77 percent of CEOs in India comparedto 82 per cent CEOs globally view generative AI as a double-edged
sword, as it can both enhance cybersecurity efforts and create newvulnerabilities for adversaries to exploit. Furthermore, cybercriminals
could exploit the blind spots to launch highly convincing phishingattacks to breach systems, making it critical for organizations tobolster their defences against emerging threats and technologies now
more than ever before.

Kaspersky and USI-CyberPeace CCoE conduct Juniper Networks announces
joint cyber drill for India’s CII industries
Blueprint for accelerating AI-native
Kaspersky, in collaboration with the USI-CyberPeace Cyber
Centre of Excellence (CCoE), had successfully conducted a joint cyber network platform adoption
drill for India’s critical information infrastructure (CII) sectors, at theUnited Service Institution (USI) of India recently. The event brought
together close to 100 key stakeholders from various CII sectors,
including defence, power, and oil and gas, as well as representatives
from regulatory bodies.
The Joint Secretary of India’s National Security Council
Secretariat, Vinai Kumar Kanaujia, was the Chief Guest at the event.
His presence highlighted the increasing importance of cybersecurity
as a strategic issue, and the emphasis that the Government of India is
placing on it, given the potential lasting impact of cyberattacks acrossmultiple vital sectors.
Genie Sugene Gan, Director of Government Affairs and Public
Policy for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Kaspersky,
delivered the keynote presentation at the event, covering specificchallenges faced by India’s CII sectors, and the need for a paradigm
shift towards systems that are secure-by-design, rather than being
constantly reactive to sporadic threats as and when they arise. This
could be addressed by Kaspersky’s Cyber Immunity vision.

14

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Juniper Networks has announced its unique Blueprint for AINative Acceleration to streamline and accelerate each stage ofadoption of the company’s leading AI-Native Networking Platform.
This comprehensive framework includes free education to quickly
ramp knowledge and skills with limited resources, exclusive trial offers
to easily validate the benefits of Juniper’s AI-Native Networking
Platform solutions, flexible licensing to simplify procurement andinnovative support services to expedite deployment and enableoptimized ongoing performance. This will enable customers andpartners can build trust in AI and the cloud and accelerate time-tovalue for Juniper’s entire secure networking portfolio, from campus
and branch to data center and wide-area networking (WAN).
Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform is purpose-built toleverage industry-leading AIOps that enable exceptional end-user
experiences and simplified, end-to-end operator experiences. The
platform leverages the right data, the right real-time responses andthe right infrastructure, enabling every connection to be reliable,measurable and secure for every device, user, application and asset

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www.varindia.com August 2024

15

HOT BYTESSecuronix Partners with RAH Infotech to
Empower SMB & Mid-Market Customers

Securonix, Inc announced a strategic partnership with RAH
Infotech, India’s fastest growing value added distributor. Throughthis strategic alliance, MSSPs will gain access to robust SAAS security
solutions, including Unified Defense SIEM, UEBA, and SOAR
capabilities. The aim is to address the growing needs of SMB andmid-market customers who face significant cyber risks daily due toincreased digital and cloud adoption. These organizations often lackskilled manpower and have limited budgets to run in-house security
operations effectively.
In 2023, the average cost of recovering from a data breach was about
INR 17.9 crores, according to a report released by a Global MNC
Technology Company. With the rapid advancement of AI and therise of more sophisticated adversarial attacks, the costs are expected torise even further. For SMBs and mid-market businesses with turnover
between 50-250 crores, the financial impact of a data breach could
be devastating. As these businesses continue to digitize, the need formore robust cybersecurity measures is becoming increasingly urgent,and their willingness to invest in protection is growing.

Sophos deepens commitment
to customers and partners with
new Customer Success Team

Sophos is expanding its commitment to customers and channel
partners with the launch of Sophos Customer Success. The newprogram features a team of experts who support customers throughout
their post-sales experience with ongoing security resources and alerts,
webinars and other educational information about cyberattacks, suchas ransomware and data breaches. Sophos Customer Success also
provides guidance on how organizations can maximize their current
investment and expand their strategic defenses with other layersof Sophos’ portfolio solutions, including Managed Detection andResponse (MDR) services, and endpoint, network, email, and cloudsecurity. Sophos Customer Success experts work hand-in-hand with
Sophos’ channel partners and Managed Service Providers (MSPs),
augmenting support services already available to customers.
Specifically, Sophos Customer Success provides a Sophos trusted
advisor to help customers with everything from onboarding to scaling
investments for each organization’s unique and growing ecosystem
to best defend against ever-changing cyberattacks. This dedicatedsupport ensures customers have a unified point of contact who canquickly address questions and share relevant and contextual threat
intelligence for a cohesive and consistent experience that fosters best
cybersecurity practices.

Hitachi Systems India and Data
Safeguard Forge Game-Changing
Alliance to Revolutionize Data
Privacy Across Asia and Beyond

Hitachi Systems India Pvt Ltd has joined forces with Data
Safeguard India Pvt Ltd, a global frontrunner in AI-powered Data
Privacy Management. This strategic partnership is poised to deliver
cutting-edge DPDP Act/Data Privacy Management compliancesolutions across India, South East Asia, and the Middle East,
addressing the escalating demand for stringent data privacy in today’s
hyper-digital world.
Data Safeguard’s unparalleled expertise in AI-driven data privacy
solutions empowers businesses to achieve seamless compliance atboth local and global levels—eliminating the risk of costly privacy
fines while enhancing customer trust and loyalty.

16

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Lenovo collaborates with Databricks
to drive AI adoption

Lenovo has joined forces with Databricks to drive AI adoption
amongst its customers. As a Databricks Consulting & Systems
Integration (C&SI) Select Tier Partner, Lenovo will work withbusinesses to help them take advantage of enhanced data management
capabilities, streamlining access to data from multiple sources andremoving barriers to successful AI usage.
The offering will run through the Lenovo AI Center of Excellence(AI CoE), designed to help customers put AI to work for theirorganizations quickly, cost-effectively and at scale, with solutions
that bring AI from ideation to reality. Working with the Databricks
Data Intelligence Platform, Lenovo will help businesses to bring theirdata sources together, allowing them to increase the use of generative
AI, improve their data analytics capabilities and drive innovation.
The Lenovo AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) will provide services
to help customers define outcomes and rapidly innovate with the
Databricks Platform to meet the unique needs of their organization.

AMD's acquisition of ZT Systems boosts
its data centre AI systems capabilities

AMD declared the signing of a final contract to buy ZT Systems,
the provider of AI infrastructure to the biggest hyperscale computing
firms globally.

ZT Systems’ extensive experience designing and optimizing
cloud computing solutions will help cloud and enterprise customers
significantly accelerate the deployment of AMD-powered AI
infrastructure at scale.
AMD has agreed to acquire ZT Systems in a cash and stocktransaction valued at $4.9 billion, inclusive of a contingent paymentof up to $400 million based on certain post-closing milestones. AMD
expects the transaction to be accretive on a non-GAAP basis by theend of 2025.

BD Soft and Foxit to offer PDF & eSign
products in the Indian market

Foxit has announced a strategic partnership with BD Soft.
This collaboration will provide various growth opportunities andshowcase Foxit’s advanced document management solutions in the
Indian market. By leveraging BD Soft's extensive channel partner
network, Foxit expects to strengthen its presence in the South Asian
region, marking a major milestone in its journey of innovation andgrowth as a leading PDF brand.
Recognized for its customer-centric and innovative approach,
Foxit provides a suite of document productivity tools that meet thegrowing needs of Indian businesses across all industries, significantly
contributing to India's technological advancement as they transition
to a fully digital environment. As more businesses adopt digitalpractices, Foxit's advanced document solutions, including enterpriselevel PDF editing, eSign, document security features, and AIintegrated tools, are essential for working in a paperless environment
on any device, anywhere, anytime.
In terms of security, using third-party internet tools for fileconversions often involves inherent risks, making it a necessity forbusinesses to find secure solutions. Foxit ensures robust protection
for safe and efficient document management across desktop, mobile,and web platforms for millions of users worldwide.

www.varindia.com August 2024

17

ON THE RAMP

Gigabyte releases AORUS OLED displays
in India with a focus on gaming

Gigabyte has declared that their QD-OLED monitors would go
on sale in India. The AORUS FO32U2P and AORUS FO27Q3,
the new versions, are intended for gaming and enjoyment. Designed
for gaming and entertainment, these monitors feature innovative,
gaming-friendly elements, including the all-new Tactical Resolution
Switch for quick access and a brand-new Night Vision feature.
The "Tactical Resolution Switch" feature, which enables quick
switching to a 24-inch size with 1080p resolution, and the "Night
Vision" feature, which highlights dark regions on the screen without
overexposing it, are two of the key features.
The FO32U2P and FO27Q3 will be priced at INR 134,499 and
INR 86,999 respectively. Both monitors will be available starting in
September across authorised channels.
The 32-inch AORUS FO32U2P is the DP 2.1 UHBR20 tacticalgaming monitor. It delivers an impressive 80 Gbps bandwidthwithout Display Stream Compression (DSC). This model supports
Daisy Chain configurations, simplifying multi-display setups andreducing cable clutter.

Qualcomm announces the new
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 mobile platform

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced the Snapdragon 7s Gen
3 Mobile Platform, building on the 7-series momentum of bringing
enhanced capabilities to more users. The new platform offers ondevice generative AI capabilities with support for LLMs, including
Baichuan-7B, Llama 2 at 1B parameters and others.
It also features new adventure-packed mobile gaming experiences
powered by the powerful Qualcomm Adreno GPU, and professionalgrade camera and video capture features such as 12-bit triple ISP and4K sHDR.
“Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 will bring the best of the 7-series to more
mid-tier devices by selecting top 7-series features including on-device
AI support,” said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and generalmanager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Thisplatform is another proof point in our commitment to deliver the
best-in-class mobile experiences to consumers at every price.”
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 will be initially adopted by Xiaomi, with thefirst device expected to be announced next month. Leading OEMs,
including Realme, Samsung, and Sharp are also expected to announce
the adoption of Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the coming months.

Palo Alto Networks rolling out its
Secure AI by Design portfolio

Adobe announces the availability of Adobe
Palo Alto Networks is making available to customers its Secure
Journey Optimizer (AJO) B2B edition
AI by Design product portfolio, aiming to secure organizations'
GenAI usage and development of enterprise AI applications byproviding visibility, control, and protection specific to AI, addressing
new risks and threats. As businesses increasingly integrate AI, theportfolio enables them to confidently build and use AI-powered apps,
while also prioritizing the integrity of AI security frameworks fromdevelopment to deployment.
The need for securing AI applications has become increasingly
important as businesses continue to integrate AI and LLMs into theiroperations. With employees adopting AI applications at a rapid paceand organizations across various industries gaining a competitive edge
through AI-powered applications, the Secure AI by Design portfolio
aims to securely enable AI deployments.
While the promises of AI are significant, it's essential toacknowledge the associated risks with equal emphasis in order torealize its full potential. Bad actors are using AI to ramp up the scaleof attacks, so it is important that organizations are proactive in theirdefense.

Samsung unveils the world's thinnest
RAM for AI, measuring just 0.65mm

With a 0.65mm thickness, Samsung has announced the world's
thinnest LPDDR5X DRAM chip, designed specifically forsmartphones with on-device AI. The new 12nm-class processors
provide a 9% thinner design than their predecessors and are available
in 12GB and 16GB capacities. Samsung's innovation promises
improved performance for next mobile devices; it uses sophisticated
PCB and epoxy moulding procedures.
The reduced size of Samsung's new LPDDR5X DRAM chip is
not just about aesthetics. According to the tech giant, this decrease inthickness is anticipated to enhance cooling by 21.2%.The development
process involved optimizing printed circuit board (PCB) and epoxy
molding compound techniques, resulting in a chip as thin as afingernail. This innovative design approach has led to a product thatpromises improved performance and efficiency for smartphones with
on-device AI capabilities. The LPDDR5X DRAM chip is uniquely
structured, built using a 4-stack layout with each stack consisting of
two LPDDR DRAMs. Samsung has already started distributing these
new thinner chips to manufacturers. In response to the increasing
demand for high-performance, high-density mobile memory
solutions, Samsung intends to develop 6-layer 24GB and 8-layer 32GB
DRAMs into the thinnest packages for future devices.

18

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Adobe has announced the general availability of Adobe Journey
Optimizer (AJO) B2B Edition. For businesses that sell to otherbusinesses, this offering will activate generative AI to help themengage customers with greater precision and drive profitable growth.
Characterized by extensive and complex sales cycles, B2B marketingand sales teams have long struggled to identify specific decision
makers that collectively sign off on large purchases such as software or
hardware. At the same time, it has become a challenge to personalize
experiences for each individual, with thousands of variations required
across web, mobile, email, social, events and other channels.
AJO B2B Edition is an evolution from lead-based and accountbased marketing, which carry blind spots when it comes to identifying
the full set of stakeholders and the products they would be interested
in. As a result, sales and marketing teams are unable to engage theright individuals with the right content, lengthening sales cycles in
the process. Built natively on Adobe Experience Platform (AEP),
which provides a single view of customers across every channel, AJO
B2B Edition will be able to activate generative AI to identify buying
groups, while creating personalized journeys for each individualwith AI-generated assets. The new offering is a perfect complement
to Marketo Engage-a leading B2B marketing automation solution—
which captures and nurtures leads that can be turned into qualified
buying groups.

Cloudera enhances its Metadata
Management solutions

Cloudera unveiled two key enhancements to its metadatamanagement solutions. These updates boost open interoperability
within the open data lakehouse and address increasing demands forsecurity and governance across the entire data lifecycle.
Cloudera delivers an end-to-end open data lakehouse with open
standards that can integrate and interoperate in any ecosystem.
The latest updates to support this commitment to modern dataarchitectures include:
Cloudera’s new Iceberg REST Catalog integration now allows
seamless access to Apache Iceberg tables using third-party engines,
enabling users to leverage various tools while ensuring unified
security and governance. It simplifies data access and maintains data
permissions and lineage across platforms, reducing the cost and therisk of data breaches by minimizing the number of separate security
layers.

INDUSTRY EVENT

Reviewing iCare’s Promise of
Transparency and Efficiency

How wel l has Intertek’s
Total Quality Assurance
Platform fared in the
Indian Textile Industry
Increasing regulatory scrutiny and heightened endconsumer expectations have led customers in the fashionand textile industries to seek systemic, data-driven, endto-end Total Quality Assurance solutions. Amidst thebarriers of transparency and traceability, Indian textile
manufacturers are led to the light with the innovationof iCare, a one-stop digital portal that enables seamless
management and monitoring of manufacturers’ testingprocesses from start to finish.
Launched in the Indian market a few months ago,
the iCare portal harnesses the parent company’s (Intertek’s) science-based customer excellence advantage and removes communication barriers
and improves the efficiency at which manufacturers deliver their products to market. Leveraging a network of more than 1,000 laboratories
and offices and over 44,000 people in more than 100 countries, iCare is a bespoke assurance, testing, and inspection solution.
The digital platform provides customers with real-time information about the status and progress of their submitted samples through an
intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing customers to interact with us seamlessly through features such as chatbot and live chat. With justa few clicks, customers can easily perform processes such as submitting a test request, tracking job statuses, downloading reports through one
centralized digital platform, accessible 24/7.
Shelly Lo, Senior Director, Marketing and Innovation, Global Softlines and Hardlines, was present in India for the launch.
At the launch of the portal, Shelly added, "The launch of iCare demonstrates Intertek's commitment to bringing cutting-edge technology
and innovative solutions to our valued supplier customers. The platform has been designed with the suppliers' needs at the forefront, setting
it apart in the ATIC market.”iCare has been introduced as a market-leading digital solution specifically tailored to the needs of our manufacturing customers, setting
it apart from other portals in the industry. It will empower them to effortlessly manage and monitor their projects with ease, thereby
revolutionizing their experience of the quality and assurance process.
The platform reflects years of dedication to developing best-in-class digital solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the textile industry.
As Manu Gahlowt, Director, Softlines India, aptly states, "Innovation and customer-centricity have always been at the center of our strategy."
Post the launch of the portal in Gurgaon and Tiruppur, pilot customers have described the iCare platform as timesaving, easy-to-use, anduseful for business, marking the industry's enthusiastic embrace of iCare.
iCare will operate alongside Intertek’s other market-leading Global Market Access, i2Q, Interlink and ToxClear solutions, enabling clients
to take full advantage of the comprehensive Total Quality Assurance offerings. Intertek, iCare’s parent company, also plans to extend theservice to other leading textile markets, including Bangladesh and Vietnam, soon. By combining advanced technology with science-based
expertise, iCare sets a new standard for transparency, efficiency, and ease of use in Quality Assurance solutions, enabling Total Quality in a
few clicks.

www.varindia.com August 2024

19

ON THE RAMP

Iron Mountain offers secure
SaaS platform InSight DXPIron Mountain announced the availability of its InSight Digital
Experience Platform (DXP), a secure software-as-a-service (SaaS)
platform.
Customers can use the platform to access, manage, govern, andmonetize physical and digital information. AI-powered self-service
tools automate workflows, enable audit-ready compliance, and makedata accessible and useful. Through InSight DXP’s unique intelligent
document processing that extracts, classifies, and enriches information
with speed and accuracy, customers can quickly turn physical anddigital unstructured information into structured, actionable data they
can use in their integrated business applications and as the basis fortheir AI initiatives.
The modular InSight DXP platform includes secure generative AIpowered chat, enabling fast access to data trapped within documents.
It can be used to quickly query data and documents in a secureisolated environment separate from publicly available generative AI
applications. Its low-code solution designer allows anyone to use its
intuitive drag-and-drop features to intelligently process and unlock
intelligence from content.

Hikvision India announces Turbo HD
3K Smart Hybrid Light Camera

Hikvision India has introduced the Turbo HD 3K Smart HybridLight Camera, a powerful video security solution that combines
stunning 3K resolution with advanced smart technology. With aresolution of 2960 (H) × 1665 (V), this camera is ideally suited for
popular 16:9 screens, ensuring no distortion during video preview or
playback.
The Turbo HD 3K Smart Hybrid Light Camera features Smart
Hybrid Light technology, which offers three supplemental lightmodes. In environments with insufficient light, the camera defaults toa smart mode that only illuminates the area when a person or vehicle
enters the scene, providing clear 24/7 color images.
In other situations, the camera uses IR illumination, capturing
crisp images while keeping the camera's location hidden. This feature
not only provides a clear view but also deters intruders and illuminates
the path for homeowners returning from work.
This versatile camera is suitable for various applications,
including residential, commercial, and industrial settings. With
three supplemental light modes, it meets the diverse needs of users,
effectively protecting property security.

Elastic rolls out Express Migration
for Legacy SIEM users

Elastic announced Elastic Express Migration, a new incentive
program that provides an accelerated path for organizations to migrateaway from legacy SIEM vendors and adopt Elastic’s AI capabilities
quickly and efficiently. The program’s two key incentives build on
Elastic’s simple consumption-based pricing model, with migrationcredits to mitigate dual-vendor costs during transition plus service
credits that can be applied towards Elastic’s migration professional
services.
Elastic has significantly reduced the effort to migrate a SIEM with
its AI-based Automatic Import, which automates the development ofcustom data integrations.
The combination of Automatic Import and Elastic’s 400+ prebuilt
integrations addresses the migration friction associated with data
onboarding. Numerous Elastic customers also use Elastic AI Assistant
to auto-convert their existing detection rules and take advantage of theplatform’s rich querying capabilities, including ES|QL, our powerful
new query language. To complement these product innovations, theElastic Express Migration program accelerates migration onto Elastic’s
Search AI powered platform with peace of mind and unbeatable ROI.

20

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Brother India brings in 17 New Printers

Brother has launched its new laser printer range designed to
improve the productivity of SOHO, SMB & Corporate segments.
From compact to versatile printing devices catering to the needs ofbusinesses, this powerful new range offers a solution to various work
settings and demands with an array of efficiency-boosting features.
With faster print speeds of up to 34 pages per minute, automatic
2-sided print, and a generous paper-tray capacity of up to 250 sheets,
users can print, scan & copy large quantities, efficiently and without
interruption.
The newly launched Mono & Color Printers allow seamlessintegration with various devices and networks with support for
Wireless and USB connectivity, along with the Brother Mobile
Connect App. With the ability to send documents straight to amobile, tablet, or desktop, the devices make document management
more efficient for users.
From the initial setup to efficient print management, Brother has
designed these printers with the end user in mind, simplifying theprinting experience without compromising the performance & print
quality.

HPE Aruba Networking expands its
AI-powered networking portfolio

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced the expansion of its
security-first, AI-powered networking portfolio with the introductionof behavioral analytics-based network detection and response (NDR)
capabilities, delivered by HPE Aruba Networking Central.
The company is also enhancing its cloud-based universal ZTNA
approach by extending its reach to campus-based local area networks.
This new local edge capability brings the same access control policies
defined for the cloud directly to campuses and data centers, deliveringa superior user experience and consistent enforcement regardless of auser's location or connection method.
The new NDR solution leverages telemetry from HPE Aruba
Networking Central’s data lake to train and deploy AI models tomonitor and detect unusual activity in vulnerable IoT devices thatplay an increasingly important role in supporting mission-criticalbusiness processes.

Acer launches its first AI-powered
gaming laptop in India

Acer has launched its first complete AI gaming laptop, the Acer
Nitro V 16. Set to redefine gaming with its cutting-edge technology,
this device features AMD Ryzen R7 Series processors and NVIDIA
GeForce series AI graphics with 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD
seamlessly integrated with the revolutionary Copilot in Windows
11. This AI-driven
laptop delivers highspeed performancefor seamless gaming
and streaming.
The
Nitro
V 16 introduces
revolutionary features, including Copilot, an AI-powered assistantthat boosts productivity by delivering detailed web-based answers,
inspiring creativity, and enhancing collaboration. Another standout
feature is Purified Voice 2.0, an AI-driven tool that removes
background noise, ensuring crystal-clear audio during gaming andvideo calls. The Acer Quick Panel simplifies the management of
Purified View and PurifiedVoice AI settings, allowing users to control
camera and microphone configurations during video calls effortlessly.
This newly launched laptop is designed for a wide range ofusers, from multimedia enthusiasts seeking excellent entertainmentand gaming capabilities to college and high school students needinga versatile device for academics and gaming. It is also ideal for
mainstream gamers looking for a budget-friendly gaming experience.

www.varindia.com August 2024

21

VOICE-N-DATA

WhatsApp developing a new AI voicefeature for hands free communications

A new AI capability that will enable hands-free voicecommunications with Meta AI is being developed by WhatsApp.
Found in iOS and Android beta versions, the functionality would
allow users to have two-way voice conversations with Meta AI.
It would provide several voice options, transcriptions, and captions.
The feature is not yet ready for testing; it is still in development.
In the last few years, WhatsApp was under examination over data
privacy across the globe. The new feature is being developed withparticular attention to users' privacy concerns. Consequently, thevoice chat will not be available in default mode and the user can at
any time stop the voice conversation. The confirmation will also be
provided.
Information about microphone usage will be provided throughthe privacy indicator on iOS. “Meta AI will continuously listen to theuser once they open the chat with the bot and this mode is manuallyenabled by them, allowing it to understand and respond to ongoing
conversations more effectively,” said the report.

BSNL to soon roll out 4G and 5G SIM
with no geographical restriction: DoTThe Department of Telecommunications has announced that
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will soon roll out 4G and
5G ready SIM platforms. In a social media post, the department said
that the rollout of 4G and 5G services will help users to choose theirmobile numbers and replace SIMs without geographical restrictions.
"STATE-RUN TELECOM firm Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd willroll out 4G and 5G compatible over-the-air (OTA) and Universal SIM(USIM) platform, which will enable subscribers to choose their mobile
numbers as well as replace SIMs without geographical restrictions,"
the Telecommunication Department wrote on 'X'.
The government-owned telecom service provider BSNL has been
struggling with a debt crisis for some time now, owing to which theCentre has provided three revival packages for BSNL so far.
In accordance with it, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra
Modi, last year, approved the third revival package for BSNL with a
total outlay of ₹89,047 crores. The government said that the move wasaimed at part of the revival strategy for BSNL.

Matrix Cellular rolls out eSIM cards
for international travellers

HFCL successfully completes Broadband
Network Gateway Projects for BSNLAs India celebrates 77 years of freedom, in the same spiritof celebration, Matrix Cellular, a provider of International
communication services, launches first tailored Indian origin eSIM
cards. This eSIM provides a cost-competitive alternative to traditional
telecom international roaming solutions giving boost to India’s
self-reliant initiatives as travellers now don’t need to buy from any
international company.
Targeted at corporate travellers, leisure travellers and students,
Matrix eSIM cards with key features enables users to buy and activate
their eSIM online and from an Indian company, travellers can enjoy
seamless connectivity without needing a physical SIM card. Matrix
eSIMs provide reliable coverage in over 150 countries, ensuring
travellers stay connected wherever they go. An eSIM is a digital
SIM card that allows users to subscribe to data and internet packages
without the need for a physical SIM card replacement, providing
access to mobile data and enhancing savings.
This innovative solution is poised to revolutionize the eSIM
market, anticipated to grow and surpass a valuation of USD 21.24
billion by the end of 2032, by offering unparalleled convenienceand connectivity. With a vision to become a leader in this dynamic
market, Matrix aims to provide superior customer experiences
through cutting-edge technology and extensive global coverage.

HFCL announced that it has completed the successfulcommissioning of BSNL’s Network Infrastructure Enhancement
Project. Under this project, HFCL has commissioned the highly
advanced version of Broadband Network Gateway (BNG), with
Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) architecture and associatedsubscriber Policy Manager & Authentication platform. The project
involved a nationwide deployment across India, with a total valueof ~INR 390 crore, including Operations and Maintenance (O&M).
This crucial infrastructure upgradation to CUPS architecture,
executed by HFCL in alignment with BSNL’s goal, will transform
BSNL’s network to support high-end enterprise customers as well as
to bridge the digital divide, especially in rural and remote areas. This
new architecture will enable BSNL to enhance its Fiber-to-the-Home(FTTH) based broadband network service expansion.
By improving BNG infrastructure and providing advanced
connectivity options, BSNL will ensure more reliable, accessible andaffordable broadband services for all its users.
The upgraded BNG infrastructure will serve as the Internet
Gateway for all enterprise and home users of BSNL, as well as forthe existing BharatNet network of 1.5 Lac Gram Panchayats and theupcoming pan-India BharatNet expansion in Phase –III.

Vi advances network infrastructure
to enhance data speed andBharti Airtel has started re-farming its existing mid-band spectrum
to accommodate the growing traffic demand on its 5G network. With coverage for Karnataka users
Airtel re-farms its mid-band spectrum tomeet the exponential growth in 5G traffic

more customers moving to the 5G network, Airtel is re-farming its
mid-band spectrum to expand 5G services on its 1800, 2100, 2300
MHz bands across the country.
As a result of the use of the mid-band spectrum, customers canenjoy enhanced browsing speeds in addition to improved indoor
coverage. As data demand grows, Airtel is re-farming its existing
spectrum at a faster pace to provide its customers with a brilliant 5G
experience.
“Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel said, “As more customers
pivot to our 5G services, we have re-farmed our mid band spectrum
which was being used for 4G services. With this we are also readyto launch Stand-alone technology. This will mean that the Airtel
network will be the first network in India to run on both stand-alone
and non-standalone modes allowing us to deliver the best experiencein the market.”

22

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Vi announced advancements in its network infrastructure acrossBengaluru, Mysuru, and Tumakuru, to provide faster data speeds forusers in these cities. The company has doubled the capacity of its LTE
2100 MHz band by expanding from 5 MHz to 10 MHz to enable
customers with faster network speed and improved internet browsing
experiences.
Vi plans to further enhance its network by deploying recently
acquired spectrum in the 900 MHz band across the state. This will be
used to strengthen indoor coverage, especially in densely populated
suburban and rural areas, ensuring improved connectivity and abetter user experience. Reinforcing its commitment to Karnataka,
Vi also announced a new service zone in Davanagere to broaden its
distribution & service reach within the state. These efforts are partof Vi's commitment to provide superior connectivity and better
customer experience across Karnataka, thus ensuring its users benefit
from enhanced voice quality and faster data speeds on its best-evernetwork, Vi GIGAnet.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTHCADYCE offers USB-C 4-Port Hub with 10Gbps Data
Transfer and BC 1.2 Charging Support
CADYCE is excited to announce
the launch of its latest product, the CACC4H10G. This advanced USB-C hub
is designed to enhance the connectivity
experience for Mac, PC, and tablet users byproviding four high-speed USB-C ports.
The CADYCE CA-CC4H10G is morethan just a hub; it's a powerhouse of speed
and efficiency. It offers:
Four USB-C Ports: Expanding theconnectivity of your device with four
additional ports.
10Gbps Data Transfer: Enjoy ultrafast data transfer speeds, making it ideal fortransferring large files quickly and efficiently.
BC 1.2 Charging: Supports Battery
Charging (BC) 1.2, ensuring your connected
devices can charge efficiently whiletransferring data.
"We are thrilled to introduce the CACC4H10G, a product that epitomizes ourcommitment to providing cutting-edge
solutions that meet the evolving needs ofour customers," said Gautam Shah, CEO at

CADYCE. “This hub is designed to deliver
the speed and convenience that professionals
and tech enthusiasts demand in today’s fastpaced digital world."
The CA-CC4H10G is compatible with awide range of devices, including Macs, PCs,
and tablets, making it a versatile addition to
any tech setup. Its sleek design and robust
performance make it an essential tool foranyone looking to expand their device's
capabilities without compromising on speed
or power.
Key Features:High-Speed USB-C® Ports: Four ports forenhanced connectivity.
10Gbps Data Transfer Speed: Fast andefficient data transfers.
BC 1.2 Charging Support: Ensuresconnected devices charge while in use.
Wide Compatibility: Works seamlessly
with Mac, PC, and tablet devices.
The CADYCE CA-CC4H10G is now
available for purchase through CADYCE’s
official website and authorized retailers.

‘Motorola launches moto g45 5G poweredby Snapdragon® 6s Gen 3 processor
Motorola has launched moto g45 5G. The moto g45 5G disrupts
the affordable 5G smartphone market in India with its powerful
Snapdragon® 6s Gen 3 processor, delivering incredible performance
powered with the segment’s highest 13 5G bands with VoNR for
superior connectivity. The moto g45 comeswith an ultra-premium design with Vegan
Leather Finish in 3 beautiful Pantone
curated colour variants for the first time ing-series smartphones while also being oneof the thinnest and the lightest devices insegment. The smartphone also comes withother incredible and segment’s leading
features like 50MP Quad Pixel camera with
16MP selfie camera, 120Hz 6.5" Display
with Gorilla® Glass 3 Protection and DualStereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos® plusa host of differentiated software features
such as Smart Connect^, moto secure,family spaces, moto unplugged, that makeit one of the best* 5G smartphones in its
segment.
Equipped with Segment’s Fastest 5G Performance featuring
powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon® 6s Gen 3 octa core processor,
the moto g45 5G enables fast and fluid performance with effortless
multitasking, and gaming capabilities, boasting an impressive 480K+
AnTuTu score which is the highest among the competition in thissegment., Also, with its superfast 5G powered with the highest 13 5G
Bands with VoNR and 4X4 MIMO and up to 4 carrier aggregation
making it the segment’s best* 5G performer. The moto g45 5G comeswith two RAM variants and ample storage with in-built 4GB or 8GB
LPDDR4X RAM which can be expanded up to 16GB with RAM
boost feature and a massive 128GB UFS 2.2 Storage expandable up to
1TB with microSD card.

vivo Y18i makes entry in India
with UNISOC T612 Chipset

vivo has announced the official launch of the vivo Y18i in the Indian
market, marking a significant addition to its entry-level smartphonelineup. Powered by the UNISOC T612 LTE mobile platform, thevivo Y18i offers outstanding performance, an impressive display,superior imaging capabilities, and extended battery life.
The UNISOC
T612
chipsetisrenownedfor its efficientperformance,
delivering a smoothandresponsive
mobile experiencewhile
enhancingconnectivity
anduser satisfaction. A
UNISOC executive
commented, “We are thrilled to partner with vivo for the launch of
the vivo Y18i in India, featuring the UNISOC T612 LTE chipset.
This device promises exceptional performance, vibrant visuals, andreliable connectivity. The vivo Y18i marks a significant milestone
in our innovation efforts and is poised to set new standards in theentry-level smartphone segment, providing a superior experience for
its users.”
Powered by the UNISOC T612 chipset, the vivo Y18i boasts
an octa-core setup with two Arm Cortex A75 cores and six Arm
Cortex A55 cores, providing smooth multitasking and responsive
performance even with multiple applications.
UNISOC is committed to enhancing mobile experiences with its
powerful chipsets, having collaborated with global brands to powerover 100 million smartphones annually. The company remains at theforefront of 5G technology, offering a diverse range of 5G terminals
to meet the global demand for advanced connectivity.

www.varindia.com August 2024

23

CHANNEL BUZZASIRT concludes 120th Tech Day, Showcasing ISODA United Summit 2024 becomes
AI Innovations and Industry Collaborationa resounding success in Kovalam
The Association of System Integrators and Retailers in Technology(ASIRT) successfully concluded its 120th Tech Day in Mumbai.
The 120th Tech Day drew a vibrant audience of over 100
attendees, fostering a dynamic environment for ASIRT members toconnect with industry peers, exchange knowledge, and build lasting
connections. This event provided a unique opportunity to explore
AI technology's latest advancements and real-world applications,empowering ASIRT members to leverage its potential for businessgrowth and efficiency.

Key Highlights: Deep Dives into AI and Networking
Opportunities
Tech Day #120 offered a range of engaging elements that left alasting impression on attendees. Here are some key highlights:
HP Unveils Latest AI Devices: HP presented its comprehensive
portfolio of the latest AI-powered devices, sparking discussions on
their practical applications and potential benefits for businesses andindividuals alike. This presentation inspired attendees to think about
the future of technology and its seamless integration into daily life.
Infobahn and ASIRT Collaboration: Infobahn’s informative
presentation shed light on their successful collaborations with ASIRT
members. This session emphasized the importance of fostering
partnerships within the industry to accelerate AI development andimplementation.
Leadership Discussions on the Future of AI: Leading industry
experts engaged in thought-provoking discussions on AI’s future
trajectory. Attendees gained valuable insights into emerging trends,
potential challenges, and emerging opportunities surrounding AI’s
ever-expanding role in society.

TP-Link opens its second
Display Centre in Indore

TP-Link in collaboration with Hexastream Infocom Pvt Ltd
has announced the grand opening of its cutting-edge Display
Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This modern facility showcases
a comprehensive range of TP-Link's latest products, from home
networking devices and smart home technologies to advanced
surveillance systems and enterprise solutions. Visitors can explore andexperience the innovative technology firsthand.
The Hexastream Infocom Pvt Ltd Display Centre is set to becomea premier destination for tech enthusiasts and professionals seeking
the latest advancements in networking, surveillance, and smart hometechnologies. The centre features an extensive collection of TP-Link's
top-tier products, including Wi-Fi routers, VIGI surveillance systems,
Tapo security and smart home devices, and Omada enterprise network
solutions, all available for hands-on interaction.
Bijoy Alaylo, VP-Distribution, TP-Link India, added, "Ourcollaboration with Hexastream Infocom Pvt Ltd has been
instrumental in establishing this Display Centre. It serves as a platform
to showcase our extensive product range and demonstrate their realworld applications. We believe this Centre will play a crucial rolein educating our customers and partners about the potential of TPLink's solutions. We are committed to working closely with ourpartners to meet market demands effectively and enhance customer
engagement across India."

24

August 2024 www.varindia.com

The ISODA United Summit 2024, held from August 21st to 24th inKovalam, Kerala, was a grand success, bringing together the best minds
in the IT channel industry for three days of insightful discussions,networking, and celebrations. Day 1 began with the ISODA Annual
General Meeting (AGM), where members discussed initiatives
aimed at enhancing the association's visibility and membership. The
Management Committee, with unanimous support from members,
decided to retain the current board for continuity, except for theappointment of Pratik Shah, Director at ITCG Technologies LLP, as
the new Regional Secretary - West.
Day 2 was marked by an inspiring keynote address from Sreekumar
Balachandran, Global IT Head at Suntech Group, President - Kerala
Chapter, CIO Association of India who emphasized the growing
trend of hybrid cloud solutions as well as the growing repatriation.
His words resonated with the audience, highlighting the importanceof collaboration in advancing technological innovations from atransformative roadmap point of view.
The evening Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony were thecrowning moments of Day 2. For the first time, ISODA members
nominated and voted for channel-friendly OEMs, called the ISODA
OEM Awards 2024, with SonicWall and Sophos emerging as thewinners.

CP PLUS organizes exclusive tours of its
manufacturing facility for stakeholders,
partners, government officials
CP PLUS extended an exclusive invitation to its valued
stakeholders, esteemed partners, government officials and active
community of security
professionals to embark
on an extraordinary
journey through theheart of innovation.
The company opened
its doors to the largest
manufacturing facility
for its partners fromthe Andhra Pradesh &Tamil Nadu regions,offering an unparalleledopportunity to witness
the intricate tapestry oftechnology and dedication that powers CP PLUS' commitment toexcellence.
The very nexus of innovation, CP PLUS' manufacturing
facility stands as a testament to the company's unwavering pursuitof continuously developing Bharat-made cutting-edge solutions.
The exclusive factory tours delivered a captivating behind-thescenes adventure, revealing the meticulous processes and advanced
technologies that orchestrate the production of state-of-the-art CP
PLUS solutions. From the inception of an idea to the final product,
visitors got a chance to immerse themselves in the dynamic world
where innovation meets precision.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

3 ways visualized production lines enhance production efficiency
An ideal manufacturing workshop
featurescontinuous
monitoringof
all machines and processes, offering acomprehensive view of the production line.
This visualization transforms complex data
into easy-to-understand visuals, enabling
quicker decision-making and proactive issue
resolution. With full visibility, businesses cangain deeper insights into their operations,streamline processes, and enhance overall
productivity.
Here are three ways production line
visualization can significantly enhance
production efficiency:
1. Efficient remote AR inspection
Using video and AR technology,
inspections are faster by streamlining
equipment and production evaluations andeliminating time-consuming manual paper
forms. An AR map simultaneously provides
a comprehensive view of the entire workshop
and specific details through picture-in-picturemode. Clicking on a specific point within
the live feed reveals detailed information,
enabling a more intuitive view and immediate
issue responses, thus preventing disruptions.
Moreover, the entire process is managed
online, from scheduling to regular video
inspections, with tasks promptly assigned
to maintenance personnel. This ensuresa proactive and seamless approach tomonitoring, alarm handling, maintenance,and quality assurance.
2. Clear video tracing for production
ramp-up analysis
Operators often struggle with equipment
malfunctions
inproductionlines,
necessitating video playback for diagnostics.
This process can be time-consuming due tounclear images or difficulties locating thevideo feed. Moreover, in fast-paced industries
like electronics, setting up a new production
line involves a capacity ramp-up. For
instance, output scaling from 100 to 10,000
units requires careful analysis to identify
optimization opportunities and improve line
capacity. This also necessitates quick andclear video tracing.
Specialized production line cameras
are invaluable in these scenarios. Unlike
traditional models, their compact, industrial
design and variable zoom make them perfectfor different assembly lines, even in tightspaces. These cameras capture fast-moving
processes at high frame rates and offerslow-motion playback for detailed analysis.
When integrated with third-party systems
like PLCs or barcode scanners, they quickly
locate video feeds, aiding in rapid issue
identification, equipment diagnostics, andproduction improvements.
3. Real-time video viewing with rapid
response
In production lines, having real-time
visibility of various parts is crucial. Imagine
working in one area and needing to see what’s
happening in another instantly. Relaying
messages between people can waste time andlead to mistakes. HDMI cameras connected
directly to screens offer real-time highdefinition, low-latency live feeds, allowing
workers to assess conditions quickly andaccurately.
Enhanced by AR, these live feeds display
vital data such as production metrics, safety
updates, and equipment statuses. This

integration empowers operators to oversee
operations efficiently. For instance, when aproduction line halts unexpectedly, operators
traditionally call personnel for investigation.
With instant alerts directly on the AR screen,
they can swiftly pinpoint and resolve issues
onsite.
Discover Hikvision’s production line
visualization solution
Hikvision combines AR technology,
specialized
cameras,andcentralized
management software to strengthen theconnection between production line
operations and management. This approachenhances situational awareness and efficiency,
creating a safer and more productive work
environment.
To meet diverse production line needs,
Hikvision offers various specialized cameras.
High-frame-rate cameras capture rapid
movements on fast-moving conveyor belts,
while vibration-resistant cameras provide
stable footage for overhead cranes. Macrocameras with auto-focus lenses deliverdetailed close-ups, while separated covert
cameras fit confined spaces. Explosionproof cameras ensure safety in flammableenvironments, and air-cooled or water-cooled
cameras withstand high temperatures.

www.varindia.com August 2024

25

COVER STORY

Role of security vendors in the evergrowing cyber threat landscape
In today’s world, technology has become more integral to our daily lives than ever before. We enjoy numerous advantages, suchas instant access to online information, the convenience of smart home automation, and innovations like the Internet of Things(IoT). Despite these benefits, the pervasive presence of technology also means potential threats are ever-present across devices andplatforms.
As our dependence on technology increases, so too does the need for strong cybersecurity measures to protect our digital
lives. This is where cybersecurity vendors and solution providers play a crucial role, identifying potential security risks long before
hackers have a chance to exploit them.
In the ever-growing cybersecurity landscape, security vendors indeed play a very vital role. They offer a wide range of security
solutions, from firewalls to threat intelligence platforms. Their offerings complement each other, which further helps organizations
to build a robust defense strategy.
Security vendors also provide specialized expertise and dedicated teams to monitor and understand new and evolving threats.
Unlike in-house teams, which may be stretched thin, vendors focus solely on cybersecurity. They contribute in a big way to enhancecyber resilience by providing expertise, tools, and collaborative solutions.
VARINDIA spoke to a few cybersecurity companies and vendors to have a clear understanding of the technologies andtechniques used in their products for threat detection and response -26

August 2024 www.varindia.com

www.varindia.com August 2024

27

COVER STORY

Juniper Networks believes in extending security to every point of connection
PANKAJ KITCHLU

SALES ENGINEERING DIRECTOR (INDIA-SAARC) - PRE SALES, JUNIPER NETWORKS“At Juniper Networks, our approach to threat detection and response is built on a comprehensive andintegrated security framework that ensures robust protection across all points of connection. We leverage several
key technologies and strategies SRX Platform: Our SRX platform is a critical component of our security architecture. It includes advanced
hardware and software solutions designed to protect the network edge, data centers, and cloud applications.
Juniper Advanced Threat Prevention (Cloud ATP): Juniper ATP serves as our central threat intelligencehub. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and respond to sophisticated threats.
Connected Security Approach: We integrate security directly into the network infrastructure, ensuring that protection is not limited to
traditional perimeter defenses.
SASE Architecture: Our Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture combines networking and security functions to deliver secureaccess to cloud applications.
Cloud-Delivered Solutions: We offer our security solutions as both cloud services and on-premises appliances. This flexibility allows
organizations to choose the deployment model that best suits their needs while benefiting from the ease of management and scalability
provided by our cloud-delivered services.
Juniper Networks believes that extending security to every point of connection, from client to cloud, across the entire network can build asafe and secure IT infrastructure across any business organization. Our security solutions utilize AI and automation to ensure that every single
touch point is properly evaluated and secured, full proofing the entire network, while accurately predicting attacks.”

The strategic focus of ManageEngine is on continuous monitoring and alerting
RAM VAIDYANATHANIT SECURITY EVANGELIST, MANAGEENGINE“ManageEngine continuously prioritises threat detection and response in our comprehensive digitalenterprise management platform. Through a variety of integrated technologies, our platform offers centralized
log and event management, employing SIEM capabilities to gather and analyse logs from multiple sources forreal-time detection and correlation of security events. ManageEngine Log360, a unified SIEM solution, assesses
traffic patterns to identify unusual activities that might indicate security breaches.
With real-time surveillance of networks, systems, and endpoints, our security solutions generate immediate
alerts for quick incident response. Automated response capabilities leverage predefined rules and workflows
to address specific security threats rapidly. We also facilitate compliance and reporting with solutions that
produce detailed reports and maintain audit trails for regulatory and internal auditing needs. Our forensic analysis tools help in investigating
and managing security incidents, while automated patch management and vulnerability remediation features address and prevent security
vulnerabilities.
An integration with Constella, a leading dark web threat intelligence provider, Log360's threat investigation workbench leverages user
analytics, threat intelligence, and process analytics to investigate alerts and add evidence to existing cases. ManageEngine has also helped
organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements through tools that enforce security policies and generate compliance reports.
For example, if a customer needs to comply with the PCI DSS or HIPAA, Log360 offers continuous monitoring and auditing of their IT
environment to ensure adherence to security policies while generating reports needed for compliance audits.”

Barracuda ensures robust threat detection by leveraging cutting-edge technologies
PRANAY MANEKMANAGER, SYSTEM ENGINEERING, BARRACUDA NETWORKS“At Barracuda, we leverage cutting-edge technologies and strategies to ensure robust threat detection andresponse capabilities in our security products. Our approach is heavily centered on artificial intelligence andmachine learning algorithms, which allow us to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time and identify potential
threats with high accuracy. Additionally, we have developed a multi-layered defense strategy, combining
network security, email and application protection, and endpoint security to provide comprehensive coverage.
Our threat intelligence network gathers data from millions of data points globally, allowing us to stay ahead ofevolving cyber threats.
With the increasing frequency and variety of cyberattacks, the need for comprehensive security measures
has never been greater. Barracuda XDR’s Security Operations Center (SOC) team sees first-hand how attackers try to target and exploit any
security blind spots. A recent example is an attempted ransomware attack on a company that had deployed security on most, but not all its
devices. Unsecured endpoints are easier to breach and keep attack activity hidden from security monitoring tools due to lack of visibility.
In this instance the attackers successfully targeted unprotected machines to secure a foothold in the network and launch the next phase of
the attack. However, as soon as they hit devices and systems that were protected, the security tools started detecting and blocking any further
malicious activity: killing, quarantining, and remediating the threat files. Following clean up and restoration, the victim was advised to extend
security to all devices to prevent and remediate any future attacks.”

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www.varindia.com August 2024

29

COVER STORY

Kaspersky committed to building a safer and secured world
JAYDEEP SINGH

GENERAL MANAGER FOR INDIA REGION, KASPERSKY“Kaspersky has been focusing on threat research for over two decades. With petabytes of rich threat data,advanced machine learning technologies and a unique pool of global experts we work to support customers
with the latest threat intelligence from all over the world. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, behaviouralanalysis, graphic visualization tools and signature-based detection are the technologies that play a major rolein Kaspersky products and solutions. Kaspersky Threat Intelligence is a service that provides evidence-basedknowledge, context and actionable recommendations about cyber threats.
One example of how we use behavioural analysis to detect threats is the Kaspersky Managed Detection andResponse (MDR) solution which uses telemetry data from endpoints and machine learning to automaticallydetect and analyse security incidents.
Another strategy is the use of KSN, Kaspersky Security Network, a complex distributed infrastructure developed by Kaspersky Lab. It is
one of the most important components of our multi-layered, next generation approach to protection.
Kaspersky has been joining hands with international organisations and global IT security vendors to fight against cybercrime. We
collaborate with law enforcement agencies and CERTs all over the world, and take part in cyber threat investigations and conduct training
for cybersecurity specialists and for international police organizations. Our collaboration with the Dutch police led to the arrest of suspects
behind the Coinvault ransomware attacks. We also assisted INTERPOL in the Africa Cyber Surge operation to disrupt cybercrime in Africancountries, which resulted in the arrest of 14 perpetrators.”

SonicWall time and again reiterates its commitment to protecting customer networks
DEBASISH MUKHERJEEVICE PRESIDENT, REGIONAL SALES, ASIA PACIFIC JAPAN, SONICWALL“SonicWall products integrate a range of advanced technologies and strategies to deliver effective threat
detection and response. Central to their approach is Real-Time Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which scrutinizes
network traffic for malicious content and anomalies at a granular level. SonicWall's solutions leverage theCapture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) service, which utilizes cloud-based sandboxing to analyze andidentify sophisticated threats, including zero-day attacks, in a secure environment before they can impact the
network.
Additionally, SonicWall employs machine learning and behavioral analysis to detect deviations from normal
network patterns, enhancing their ability to spot previously unknown threats. A key component of our strategy
is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), which enforces strict access controls and continuously verifies the identity and integrity of users anddevices, ensuring that only authorized entities can access network resources.
SonicWall has a history of effectively managing and mitigating cybersecurity incidents and vulnerabilities for their customers. For example,
SonicWall is quick to roll out updates and patches to address any vulnerabilities identified in their products. We also provide comprehensive
guidance and support to help affected customers secure their networks and recover from any attack. A notable instance was with SonicWall’s
VPN appliances, which were exploited. SonicWall promptly issued a series of security advisories and patches to address the vulnerability,
working closely with affected customers to mitigate the risk. Our rapid response and transparent communication during such incidents
reiterates our commitment to protecting customer networks and maintaining trust.”

Securonix uses advanced technology to combat the power of AI-driven threats
AJAY BIYANIVICE PRESIDENT, APJ, INDIA, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, SECURONIX“At Securonix, we use advanced technology and techniques to improve threat detection and response like
our AI-reinforced Securonix EON suite which specializes in predictive threat detection. There are two main
innovations •Cyber Data Fabric: This modular architecture enables security analysts to classify and organize data
smartly, so that only the required subset of data i.e., most relevant data is analyzed in real-time or stored forforensic and compliance requirements.
•
Noise Canceling SIEM: AI-powered feature that filters up to 50% of irrelevant alerts so that our
CyberOps team can focus on the most critical threats. It identifies obscure data patterns, decreasing false
positives, and increasing analyst effectiveness. Also, it uses SOAR LITE to orchestrate investigations and remediation, enabling faster responsewith less impact.
Technologies like these help security teams save time, lower costs, and work more efficiently, helping to turn CyberOps into a force thatcan stand up against the growing power of AI-driven threats.
We have deployed our SIEM solution to effectively mitigate various cybersecurity vulnerabilities, addressing both external and internal
threats for our customers. For example, Persistent Systems, a global services company, struggled with security management across on-premises
and cloud workloads due to their legacy SIEM, which caused scalability issues and limited detection capabilities. By adopting Securonix's
next-generation SIEM, Persistent Systems achieved comprehensive coverage, eliminating blind spots and enabling real-time visibility. We also
partnered with India’s largest financial bank, serving nearly 50 million customers, to enhance data security during their digital transformation
journey.”

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www.varindia.com August 2024

31

COVER STORY

Synechron boasts of a comprehensive cyber incident response Plan
UMESH BHAPKARSENIOR DIRECTOR, IT & INFORMATION SECURITY, SYNECHRON“At Synechron, we employ a layered defence approach which comprises a set of technologies and strategies
for threat detection and response such as advanced threat detection, intrusion prevention, threat intelligence andhunting. These are designed to provide early warning of potential threats, enable rapid response to incidents,and ensure that our cybersecurity posture remains robust against evolving threats.
When addressing past cybersecurity incidents or vulnerabilities, it's important to manage crises effectively,
learn from experiences, and improve the overall security posture of the organisation. At Synechron, we have acomprehensive and well thought out cyber incident response Plan that covers play books created to cover various
cyber-attack scenarios and the same is tested through a proper tabletop exercise. Maintaining effective communication with channel partners is
crucial for aligning them with your cybersecurity goals and strategies. At Synechron, we recognize that strong, collaborative relationships with
our vendor partners are key to ensuring a unified approach to cybersecurity. By maintaining open, transparent, and proactive communication
with our vendor partners, we ensure that they are fully aligned with our cybersecurity goals and strategies.”

Check Point ensures its customers are protected from sophisticated cyber attacks
MANISH ALSHISENIOR DIRECTOR, CHANNELS & ALLIANCES, CHECK POINT
SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES INDIA & SAARC“At Check Point, our approach to threat detection and response is grounded in a comprehensive, multilayered security architecture that ensures robust protection against both known and unknown threats, leveraging
the intelligence of our Check Point ThreatCloud AI solutions.
1.
Threat Intelligence and Prevention Framework:•
ThreatCloudAI: We leverage ThreatCloudAI, Check Point’s collaborative threat intelligence platform,
which aggregates data from millions of sensors globally. This platform analyzes and shares real-time threat
information to block potential attacks before they can impact your systems.
•
Advanced Threat Prevention: Our products are equipped with multiple threat prevention engines, suchas antivirus, anti-bot, URL filtering, and anti-ransomware, to safeguard your network. These engines work inharmony to detect and mitigate threats across all attack vectors.
2.
Advanced Detection and Response Technologies:•
Threat Emulation and Threat Extraction: These technologies are key components of our Check Point SandBlast Zero-Day Protection
suite. Threat Emulation (sandboxing) proactively detects and blocks unknown threats by executing suspicious files in a virtual environment,
while Threat Extraction removes potential threats by delivering clean, reconstructed files in real-time.
•
Behavioral Analysis and AI & Machine Learning: Our solutions employ advanced behavioral analysis and machine learning algorithms
to identify and respond to anomalies that could indicate an emerging threat.
3.
Automated Response and Remediation:
Automation and Orchestration: Our products feature automation and orchestration capabilities that enable quick, coordinated responses
to threats. This minimizes the time between detection and remediation, significantly reducing the risk of damage from attacks.
4.
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics:
Centralized Management: Through Check Point’s SmartConsole, security teams can manage threat detection and response from a single
pane of glass. This centralized platform provides detailed reports, analytics, and insights, enabling teams to make informed decisions andimprove their security posture continuously.”

Tenable successfully plugs vulnerabilities found across critical assets of businesses
SCOTT CAVEZASTAFF RESEARCH ENGINEER, TENABLE“Tenable One, the exposure management platform, unifies security visibility, insight, and action across theattack surface. The platform’s active scanning, passive monitoring of OT and IoT networks, external attack
surface management, and CMDB integrations help organisations gain the visibility they need to reveal impactfulvulnerabilities across the environment. This aids security teams in taking rapid, decisive action as the Tenable
Predictive Prioritization technology brings together vulnerability data, threat intelligence, and data science–toclose critical exposures and execute remediations.
When news of the log4j vulnerability became public, Tenable provided complimentary access to Tenable Web
App Scanning. It enabled organisations to thoroughly test web servers and identify the risk of exploitation froma hacker’s perspective. As Tenable Web App Scanning complements other vulnerability detections in Tenable Vulnerability Management, it
provides organisations with full visibility across the attack surface, helping them plug the vulnerability across assets that are most critical tobusiness continuity.
Tenable’s log4j local detection plugin was released to perform additional checks on Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac OS systems, where
the running processes on machines are inspected for any references of a log4j archive. Once Tenable scans identified as many log4j archives as
possible on the targets, their locations and versions were logged to the scanner’s knowledgebase. This data was passed to dependent plugins
that use a variety of methods to determine if the application code is vulnerable.”32

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Protect users and resources
anywhere work is done
Cisco Secure Access is a converged cloudsecurity SSE solution that is better for users,
easier for IT, and safer for everyone. It
enforces modern cybersecurity whileproviding a seamless and frictionlessexperience as users connect from anything toanywhere, via a common access approach.

Cisco Secure Accessincorporates all pertinent
security modules in one
cloud-delivered solution
Secure Web
Gateway (SWG)

Cloud Access Security
Broker (CASB) and DLPZero Trust Network
Access (ZTNA)

Firewall as a Service(FWaas) and IPS

DNSSecurity

Multimode
DLP

Advanced
Malwareprotection

Sandbox

Talos ThreatIntelligence

VPN as aService

DigitalExperience
Monitoring*

RemoteBrowser
Isolation*

Get started today: Learn more about Cisco Secure Access.

Visit: www.cisco.com/go/secure-access

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33

COVER STORY

Skybox committed to safeguarding customer environments
through proactive security measures
AFTAB SYEDCOUNTRY MANAGER, SKYBOX SECURITY“Skybox employs a robust threat detection and response strategy centered on advanced vulnerability
prioritization and threat intelligence. By meticulously evaluating vulnerabilities based on severity, importance,
exploitability, and network exposure, Skybox empowers security teams to focus on the most critical risks.
Leveraging internal and external threat intelligence, Skybox constructs a comprehensive attack surface map,
surpassing industry standards.
To stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape, Skybox continuously invests in R&D, incorporating customer
feedback and industry trends. Advanced AI and machine learning techniques, such as Random Forest, Bayesian algorithms, and NLP, areemployed to rapidly process vast amounts of data, ensuring no vulnerabilities slip through the cracks. Additionally, Skybox's adoption of
CVSS 4.0 scoring provides customers with an even more accurate assessment of risk.
Our global teams excel at identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities, often going above and beyond to mitigate risks inheritedfrom previous security solutions. By tailoring risk scoring to align with each customer's unique business needs, we empower organizations
to prioritize vulnerabilities effectively.
For example, when a major customer faced a critical vulnerability in their network, our team rapidly mobilized to assess the situation,
develop a tailored remediation plan, and provide ongoing support to ensure the issue was resolved effectively. This proactive approach,combined with our deep technical expertise, enabled the customer to mitigate the risk and prevent a potential breach. Our customer successmanagers also foster strong relationships with clients, providing ongoing support and guidance.”

Offering unmatched visibility into threats through diverse sources
JYOTHI PRAKASHINDIA HEAD, GOOGLE CLOUD SECURITY“Google Threat Intelligence combines the unmatched depth of our Mandiant frontline expertise, the global
reach of the VirusTotal community, and the breadth of visibility only Google can deliver in a single offering.
By combining our comprehensive view into the global threat landscape with Gemini, we have supercharged
the threat search processes, augmented defense capabilities, and reduced the time it takes to identify and protect
against novel threats. Google Threat Intelligence offers unmatched visibility into threats through a diverse
set of sources including Google threat insights, Frontline intelligence, Human-curated threat intelligence,
Crowdsourced threat intelligence and Open-source threat intelligence.
Google Threat Intelligence infuses our threat research with AI to increase coverage, proactively mitigate
risk and reduce the time it takes to protect against new and novel threats. We use machine learning algorithms, natural language processing,foundation models, and advanced analytics to harness AI-driven automation. These capabilities can help organizations with some of themore challenging manual threat intelligence tasks and enables automated data fusion and enrichment, anticipatory actionable warnings, semiautonomous malware analysis, adaptive rule generation, intelligent report generation and vertebral threat dissemination.
Google Security Operations, an intelligence-driven and AI-powered platform that empowers security teams to better defend theirorganizations by effectively detecting, investigating, and responding to cyber threats. Formerly known as Chronicle, we have introduced
new innovations designed to reduce the do-it-yourself complexity of SecOps and enhance the productivity of the entire Security Operations
Center.”

ESET uses technology that goes far beyond the capabilities of basic antivirus
PAMELA ONG

SALES DIRECTOR - APAC AT ESET“ESET adopts a prevention-first approach which mitigates the risks posed by advanced threats, and minimises
the time security teams have to spend on incident response and remediation. The best strategy for countering
the ever-evolving attacks starts with shrinking the attack surface. It requires robust protection across email,endpoints, cloud applications, mobile devices and entire networks.
In terms of technology, a single layer of defense is not enough in today’s constantly evolving threat landscape.
We employ a multitude of proprietary, layered technologies and human expertise working together as ESETLiveSense, that goes far beyond the capabilities of basic antivirus. This includes advanced machine learning and
110 million sensors worldwide to enable us to react immediately to the needs of our customers and keep ESET responsive to the latest threats.
Some of ESET’s core technologies that work together as ESET LiveSense are –•At the pre-execution level, the core technologies used are – Reputation and Cache, Network Attack Protection, UEFI Scanner,
Advanced Machine Learning, Device Control, DNA Detections, Brute-Force Attack Protection, and In-product Sandbox.
•
At the execution level, technologies like Ransomware Shield, Script Scanner & AMSI, Advanced Memory Scanner, Exploit Blocker,
and Deep Behavioural Inspection are used.
•
At the post-execution level, technologies used are – LiveGrid Protection, Secure Browser and Botnet Protection.”

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August 2024 www.varindia.com

COVER STORYALIGNINGCYBERSECURITY
GOALS AND PARTNER
STRATEGY
The Global Cyber Security Market size
is expected to be worth around USD 533.9
Billion by 2032 from USD 193 Billion in
2023, growing at a CAGR of 11% during
the forecast period from 2022 to 2032.
Cybersecurity is essential in our
digital age, aimed at safeguarding sensitive
information and digital assets from cyberthreats. It involves a range of measures,
technologies, and practices to ensure data
confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
As our reliance on technology and theinternet grows, having strong cybersecurity
solutions and most importantly a strong
cybersecurity strategy and goal is becoming
more critical than ever.
Aligning cybersecurity goals withyour partner strategy is crucial for
creating a robust and resilient security
posture. Ensuring that partners follow
the cybersecurity best practices set by
the organization also becomes essential
for maintaining a secure ecosystem. Thiscan be achieved by setting clear goals
and expectations, providing training andresources, sharing best practices and casestudies, conducting regular audits andfostering open communication.
Jaydeep Singh says that Kaspersky
provides a dedicated portal for our partners,
in which they can access and learn about new
products, maintain their customer databaseand subscriptions, and manage orders. “Weregularly communicate with our partners
and provide them training to help themlearn about new solutions and upgrade theirskills so that they can optimise on upselling
opportunities,” he says.
AccordingtoPankajKitchlu,maintaining
effective
communication
with its partners is crucial for aligning
Juniper’s cybersecurity goals and strategies.
“We employ several strategies to ensure
this alignment like Regular Updates andTraining,
Collaborative
Engagement,
Shared Resources and Tools, Feedback
Mechanisms and Alignment of Goals
and Objectives. We work closely with
our partners to align our cybersecurity
goals with their business objectives. By
focusing on these strategies, we ensure that
our channel partners are well-equipped
to contribute to our cybersecurity goals,
ultimately enhancing the effectiveness ofour solutions and supporting our sharedsuccess in the market,” he explains.
SonicWallmaintains
effective
communication with its channel partners
through a variety of structured andstrategic methods that align with our

cybersecurity goals and strategies. “Regularand transparent communications are
facilitated through dedicated partner
portals, newsletters, emails and webinars,
which keep partners informed about new
product releases, security advisories, andbest practices. SonicWall also organizes
periodic partner events and forums where
they share insights on emerging threats andstrategic direction, fostering a collaborativeenvironment. This proactive approachhelps align partners with SonicWall's
cybersecurity objectives and ensures aunified strategy in addressing evolving
security challenges,” contends Debasish
Mukherjee.
As a 100% channel-first company,
Tenable is committed to collaboratingwith channel partners including leading
security technology resellers, managed
serviceproviders,
distributors,
andecosystem partners worldwide. “We invest
in equipping channel partners with thetraining, certification, and collaborationnecessary to deliver Tenable’s industryleadingvulnerability
management
solutions and custom services to customers
everywhere,” says Scott Caveza.
“As a 100% channel-driven company,
Check Point recognizes that our partners
are integral to our success, and thus, weview them as an extension of our team,”
opines Manish Alshi. “Through initiatives
like regular partner engagement, providing
comprehensive training and enablement,
and adopting a collaborative and an
adaptive approach, Check Point ensuresthat our communication with channel
partners is not just effective but also
strategically aligned with our overarchinggoal of delivering the finest cybersecurity
solutions globally. This collaboration
ensures that our initiatives are not only topdown but also reflective of partner insights,
making our communication and strategies
both adaptive and aligned with real-world
needs.”“At Securonix, 70% of our business
transactions take place through the channel
route showcasing our commitment toworking with partners,” says Ajay Biyani.
“We work hand in hand with our partners
to create tailored services that meet theneeds of their clients while aligning withour cybersecurity objectives. Our approachis adaptable to cater to the varying
requirements of partner types ensuring
targeted communication, for achieving
collective cybersecurity goals.”
As a channel-focused business, ESET
prioritises
partnerenablement
andcollaboration to help them grow theirbusiness alongside the company’s. “Weensure that our partners are well-informed
about emerging threats, product updates,and best practices.
We host regular training sessions,
webinars, and workshops to keep
our partners up-to-date on the latest
developments in cybersecurity,” says
Pamela. “Additionally, we provide themwith access to our comprehensive partner
portal, where they can find resources,
technical support, and marketing materials
that align with our shared cybersecurity
goals.”
Moreover,maintaining
effective
communication with the partner ecosystem
also helps in promoting engagement with a
global community of cybersecurity experts.
It also becomes equally important for
security vendors to equip their partners with
innovative security products, solutions andservices that sets them apart in the market,
which in turn helps them in differentiating
business, maximizing opportunities andaccelerating profitability.
By fostering strong relationships andopen lines of communication, a company’s
partners are equipped to deliver the highest
level of protection to its customers.

www.varindia.com August 2024

35

LEAD STORYINDIA DATA CENTER
MARKET SCALINGNEW HEIGHTSAs data is growing at leaps and boundpace fueled by various factors, the data
center industry is witnessing a massive surge
in the demand. The data center landscapeis undergoing a substantial transformation,with significant advancements in scalability
and density. These emerging infrastructure
trends are poised to elevate the country's
potential as a leading data center hub.
According to a JLL report, the Indian data
center market, which stood at 850 MW by
the end of 2023, is projected to grow to 1,645
MW by 2026.
The rapid adoption of digital services,cloud computing, and the Internet of Things(IoT) is driving the demand for robust data
storage and processing infrastructure. The
government's Digital India initiative, aimed
at fostering a digitally empowered society, isfurther accelerating this demand.
A notable trend is the rise of AI and
Generative AI technologies, which require
extensive
computational
power
and
storage capabilities. As businesses acrossvarious sectors increasingly integrate
AI-driven applications, such as natural
language processing, image recognition, andpersonalized recommendations, the need fordata centers to support these workloads is
growing.
Additionally, the anticipated rollout
of 5G networks will lead to a surge in data
generation, necessitating advanced andscalable data center facilities. The expanding
startup ecosystem and the growth of small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also
contributing to this trend, as these businesses

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August 2024 www.varindia.com

increasingly rely on cloud-based services andAI-driven solutions.
Tier-I cities benefit from strong
infrastructure and connectivity, making them
ideal for hyperscale data center construction.
Meanwhile, Tier-II cities are expected tosee more Edge Data Center expansion ascompanies prioritize proximity to theirbusiness operations.

Increasing Demand for Data Center
The data center market in India is expected
to surge and grow at 15.07% CAGR from2022 to 2027. The factors behind this surge
include industries going increasingly digital,
the expansion of the nation's economy,
government spending on infrastructure, 5G
technology etc.
Elaborating on the factors driving
demand in the data center segment, Piyush
Somani, Founder, CMD & CEO, ESDS
Software Solution says, “India's data center
market is set to expand big time. It's expected
to jump from $4.35 billion in 2021 to $10.09
billion by 2027, growing at a 15.07% CAGR
from 2022 to 2027. What's behind this boom?
Well, more and more industries are goingdigital. Banks, healthcare providers, andonline shops are leading the charge. These
sectors need data systems that can grow withthem and keep their information safe.
The nation's economic expansion, backed
by strong foreign exchange reserves of over$622.5 billion (as of February 2024) and hefty
government spending on infrastructure, hasresulted in a record-breaking Gross Fixed

Capital Formation (GFCF) of 34.1% of
GDP in FY2024. Government programs like
"Digital India" and rules about keeping data
local are pushing companies to invest in data
centers within the country, as they need tostore information inside national borders.”
He adds, “The arrival of 5G technology
will increase data use and the need for betterdata processing. Also, more companies are
moving to the cloud—often using a mixof private and public clouds—and online
shopping is booming. These changes
are making advanced data centers more
important. More industries are using data to
make choices and study trends, which adds
to this need. All these factors together makeIndia one of the fastest-growing data center
markets, with lots of changes happening.”
India's digital landscape is evolving at
a breakneck pace, and a few key trends are
fueling the demand for data centers. The
most important factor is growing data
consumption. Businesses also comprehended
the significance of interconnection. OTT
subscriptions and rising data demands fromlatest technologies are critical factors for data
center growth.
Manoj Paul, MD, Equinix India explains,“First and foremost is the explosive growthin data consumption - with over 700 million
internet users and counting, businesses
need robust infrastructure to keep up with
consumer demands.
According to the Global Interconnection
Index (GXI) 2024, global interconnection
bandwidth (includes internet and direct

of data center advancement in the country. AI
is also a driver in the growth of the industry.
Rohan Sheth, Vice President, Colocation& DC Build, Yotta views, “India has been
seeing a significant surge in digital adoption
across industries, leading to massive data
consumption. Despite generating 20% of
global data, India’s share of data center
capacity is only 3%. This disparity highlights
the urgent need for data center developmentin the country. According to real estate
consultancy JLL, data center capacity in India
is projected to increase by 791 megawatts(MW) by 2026.

PIYUSH SOMANIFOUNDER, CMD & CEO
ESDS SOFTWARE SOLUTION

connection between businesses and service
providers over cross-connect or services like
Equinix fabric) is growing twice the rate of
the Internet, which shows that more andmore businesses realize the importance ofinterconnection and are increasing adopting
it for data exchange. Use of cloud and multicloud along with pricing policies of the CSPs
which benefit connection over cloud on ramp
(like AWS Direct Connect instead of Internet)
and the proliferation of Internet Exchanges
is also driving growth of direct peering.
Growth in OTT subscription and moreviewership of live sports on OTT channels
along with the increased data-dense demands
from emerging technologies such as AI, 5G,
and edge computing are creating a scenario
where enterprises are seeking dynamic accessto the most powerful computer resources
with high efficiency.”
Another significant driver is the rapid
adoption of cloud services, especially by small
and medium enterprises. Adding further hesays, “Amongst the growing appetite foradvanced technologies like AI and machinelearning, the south Indian data center market
led by Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad isobserving a major growth surge. According
to an industry report, this surge is supportedby the government's forward data center
policy, which is creating an environment
for strategic infrastructure investments alongwith an intense demand for digital services.
The region will play a crucial role in the
global data center landscape, with capacity
projected to grow 65 percent by 2030. These
cities have a combined installed data center
capacity of approximately 200 MW and 190
MW currently under construction.
Data-intensive
applications
requiresignificant computing power, and that's
where state-of-the-art data centers come intoplay.”
Though India witnesses a rapid digital
adoption irrespective of industries and it
generates a striking 20% of global data but
the share of data center capacity is very
insignificant. This indicates the requirement

The advent of AI is another major factor
driving data center growth today. The
adoption and widespread use of emerging
technologies such as AI and Generative AI
have made faster data processing critical,
transforming data centers from traditional
storage facilities to high-power data
computing hubs. In March 2024, the Indian
government approved over Rs 10,300 crore for
the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to empower AI
startups and expand compute infrastructureaccess, further fuelling demand. In 2024, thespotlight is firmly on AI as it integrates into
data centers to enable optimised operations,heightened security, and proactive issue
prediction. Picture AI-powered coolingsystems that dynamically adapt to real-time
server loads, ensuring optimal performanceand energy efficiency. Intelligent software
to continuously scan network traffic, preemptively detect and isolate cyber threats,
providing defence measures before they
escalate.”

Incorporating latest technologies
In data center operations, the role of
AI and ML is important. These tools help
in predictive analytics, automation andenhanced resource management. Integrating
AI and ML into data center operations
requires robust data collection, powerfulcomputational capabilities, and skilled
personnel to develop, train, and deploy
these models effectively. Once implemented,
these technologies significantly enhance theefficiency, reliability, and security of data
center operations.
Prashant Pereira, Vice President, Data
Center service, Sify Technologies expounds,“Here's are some ways AI and ML benefit
data center operations:
Predictive Maintenance: AI and ML
models can predict equipment failuresby analyzing historical data, thereby
allowing for proactive maintenance. This
reduces downtime and helps in schedulingmaintenanceduringoff-peak
hours,
optimizing overall performance.
Resource Allocation: ML algorithms cananalyze workload patterns and dynamicallyallocate resources such as CPU, memory, andstorage to different applications or servers
based on demand.
EnergyEfficiency:AI

optimizes

MANOJ PAUL

MD, EQUINIX INDIA

energy consumption by analyzing data
center cooling systems, server loads, andenvironmental factors to adjust power usage.
By learning patterns, ML can suggest energysaving strategies without compromising on
performance.
Security: AI-powered algorithms canidentify anomalies in network traffic, detect
potential security threats and provide realtime responses to mitigate risks, thus ensuring
security of data centers.
As AI advances, the demand forcomputation and storage capacity grows,
causing considerable development in the data
center business. AI applications, ranging fromprocessing natural languages to deep learning,necessitate massive computer resources
to handle and analyze data efficiently.
Furthermore, the necessity to store massive
datasets for training and inference increases
the demand for storage capacity.
As a result, data center operators areseeing an increase in demand as organizations
seek to adapt to the rising needs of AI
technologies. The synergy between AI anddata centers highlights the importance ofinfrastructure in promoting innovation andpropelling technological growth.
As AI and Machine Intelligence penetrate
several sectors in India, the resulting data
explosion increases the requirement of data
center expansion. These centers serve as
the foundation for processing and storing
massive amounts of data, enabling AI-driven
advancements across industries ranging frome-commerce to healthcare, and driving thecritical expansion of data center infrastructure
across the country.”
Reiterating the same, Amit Agrawal,
Chief Business Officer, Web Werks - Iron
Mountain Data Center says, “AI and machinelearning are being utilized to optimize energy
consumption, predict maintenance needs,
and enhance overall operational efficiency.
These technologies allow us to analyze
vast amounts of data in real-time, enabling
proactive management of our infrastructure.

www.varindia.com August 2024

37

LEAD STORY
Jatinder Singh Pabla, Chief Sales &Marketing Officer (CSMO) India, ST
Telemedia Global Data Centres (India)
describes, “At STT GDC India, we employ
multi-layered security measures to ensure thehighest level of protection:
Certifications: Our data centers are
certified by global standards such as ISO
27001 for Information Security Management.
Physical security: We implement stringent
physical access controls and surveillancesystems across our facilities.
Cybersecurity: We utilize advanced
digital security measures to protect against
cyber threats.

ROHAN SHETH

VICE PRESIDENT, COLOCATION& DC BUILD, YOTTA

Additionally, we are embracing edge
computing to support the growing demand
for low-latency data processing. By deploying
micro data centers closer to end-users, we canprovide faster and more efficient services,
particularly for applications requiring realtime processing, such as autonomous vehicles
and IoT devices. These innovations are not
only enhancing our service offerings but also
positioning Web Werks – Iron Mountain
Data Centers as a leader in the evolving data
center landscape.”

Security
Security of data is a concern for everyorganization as it is the new oil to run any
company. So, for the data center companies,
data security and cybersecurity form the
bedrock. Not only security of data but
physical security of the data center premisesis also vital.
Rohan Sheth of Yotta comments, “Datasecurity and cybersecurity are foundational
elements in the operation and managementof data centers. At Yotta, we recognize thecritical importance of these elements andhave implemented a comprehensive rangeof measures to safeguard both physical anddigital aspects of our data center operations.
We offer a 100% uptime guarantee inour data centers are accredited by Uptime
Institute Tier Certification which is theleading data center certification authority
and ensures our customers of fault-tolerant
operations, always.
Additionally, we provide our own
cybersecurity solutions called Suraksha which
is Yotta’s smart cybersecurity suite. Suraksha
is an a-la-carte service, allowing customers topick and choose the cybersecurity offerings
they need. Suraksha is also powered by IBM
QRadar, which ensures that customers get
industry leading services with Yotta.”
STT GDC follows a multi-layered security
measure to ensure security and protection of
its client’s data and infrastructure.

38

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Compliance: Our facilities are certified
for various industry standards, including PCI
DSS, ensuring compliance with stringent
security requirements.
Operational excellence: We have over two
decades of experience in operating missioncritical facilities, with well-establishedprocedures and best practices.
Regular audits: We conduct frequent
security audits and assessments to identify
and address potential vulnerabilities.
Staff training: Our teams undergo regulartraining on security protocols and bestpractices.
Customer isolation: We provide secure,isolated environments for each customer's
infrastructure.
24/7 monitoring: Our facilities aremonitored round-the-clock by trained
security personnel and advanced surveillancesystems.
Disaster recovery: We offer disasterrecovery services to ensure business
continuity for our clients in case of any
security incidents.
These comprehensive measures ensurethat our clients' data and infrastructure
remain secure and protected at all times.”
Like any other data center company,
ESDS stressed upon both physical and cyberthreats. It is focused on offering unparalleledprotection to customer data. Apart from
implementing necessary physical security,
it has deployed multi-layered defense
mechanisms to combat cyber threats. Its
Security Operations Center (SOC) keeps acheck always and quickly responds to any
security problems.
Piyush Somani of ESDS Software
Solution says, “Today, cyber security is on
the rise, and the security of our data centers ismore critical than ever. With the increase inboth physical and cyber threats, we at ESDS
are committed to providing unmatched
protection for your valuable data. Our data
centers have 24/7 high-definition video
surveillance, biometric access controls, andarmed security guards. We’ve also integrated
advanced fire detection and suppression
systems alongside redundant power and

AMIT AGRAWALCHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER,
WEB WERKS - IRON
MOUNTAIN DATA CENTER

cooling systems to keep everything runningsmoothly, no matter what.
But it’s not just about physical security.
We employ a multi-layered defense
mechanism to shield against cyber-attacks.
Picture next-generation intrusion detection,
cutting-edge firewalls, and robust encryption
protecting your sensitive information. Our
Security Operations Center (SOC) works
around the clock, monitoring network traffic
and responding swiftly to security incidents.
We conduct regular vulnerability assessments
and penetration tests to address potential
weaknesses proactively.”
On a similar note that security isimportant, Manoj Paul of Equinix India
mentions that apart from deploying
solutions for physical security, the company
also invests in training its staff in terms of
security. Equinix India also updates itself
technologically so that it can keep pace withthe evolving cybersecurity space. It works
together with its customers to understandtheir security needs.
He explains, “Security is paramount in
our industry, and at Equinix, it's woven
into every aspect of our operations. On thephysical security front, we employ a multilayered approach. This includes 24/7 on-site
security personnel, biometric access controls,and comprehensive video surveillance. But
it's not just about having the right technology- we also invest heavily in training our staff
to be vigilant and follow strict security
protocols.
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving
challenge, and we're constantly upping
our game. We've implemented advanced
threat detection systems powered by AI andmachine learning, allowing us to identify andrespond to potential threats in real-time. We
also conduct regular penetration testing andvulnerability assessments to stay ahead of
emerging risks.
But perhaps most importantly, we
recognize that security is a collaborative

driver, with more enterprises moving to cloud
platforms. The digital transformation acrossindustries like healthcare, finance, and retailis creating demand for specialized data center
services, especially for AI-driven applications.
The rollout of 5G and the expansion of IoT
ecosystems are also generating massive data
volumes, driving the need for advanced data
centers and edge computing.

JATINDER SINGH PABLA
CHIEF SALES & MARKETING
OFFICER (CSMO) INDIA,ST TELEMEDIA GLOBALDATA CENTRES (INDIA)

effort. We work closely with our customers
to understand their unique security
requirements and help them implement bestpractices. We also participate in industrywide threat intelligence sharing initiatives,because we believe a rising tide lifts all boats
when it comes to cybersecurity.”

Growth & Opportunities
Technologies like AI and Generative AI
played the role of a catalyst that boosted
the Indian data center industry. And theadoption of the latest technologies seeks
high-performance data centers. The capacityof the industry is expected to reach 1,645
MW by 2026.
Furthermore, along with rapid adoptionof cloud computing, digital transformation
across verticals, 5G, expansion of IoT
ecosystems and government policies further
the scope of data center growth in India.
Amit Agrawal of Web Werks - Iron
Mountain Data Center says, “The Indian
data center industry is set for significant
growth, fueled by the increasing adoptionof AI and Generative AI technologies acrossvarious sectors. These technologies demandhigh-performance data centers, creating
opportunities for expansion and innovation.
The industry's capacity is projected to reach
1,645 MW by 2026, with a 24% CAGR,
while globally, data center storage capacity is
expected to double by 2027 due to rising AI
demands.
India's large market, skilled workforce,and vibrant startup ecosystem make ita strong contender as a global data hub,especially with its focus on sustainability.
The country's data center capacity has grownfrom 350 MW in 2019 to 854 MW in 2023,
attracting international partnerships andinvestments from global colocation players
and hyperscale entities.
Cloud computing is another major growth

Supportive
government
policies,
including tax incentives and strategic land
allocations, further enhance the sector's
attractiveness to investors. Data centers that
integrate cutting-edge technologies and offer
scalable, secure, and efficient solutions are
well-positioned to capitalize on the industry's
growth opportunities.”
Jatinder Singh Pabla of ST Telemedia
Global Data Centres (India) views incredible
growth opportunities in the market due
to some trends like capacity expansion,
geographical diversification, AI adoption,
focus on sustainability etc. The company alsoplans to double capacities to keep pace withthe development.
Explaining the trends he says, “We foresee
tremendous growth opportunities in India's
data center industry:
Capacity expansion: India's data center
capacity is expected to grow to approximately
3000 MW by 2030. This represents a CAGR
of over 20%.
Geographic expansion: While continuing
to significantly expand in existing metro
markets, we see expansion in 5-6 top Tier 2
cities also.
AI-driven demand: The rise of AI and
GPU-intensive workloads is creating demandfor high-density, liquid-cooled data center
solutions.
Enterprise adoption: Sectors like BFSI
and Global Capability Centers (GCCs)
are showing strong demand for data center
services.
Government partnerships: We've signed
MoUs with several state governments forinvestments in data center capacity.
Sustainability focus: There's growing
demand for green data centers, aligningwith our commitment to carbon-neutral
operations by 2030.
Given these trends, we expect to double
our capacities every four to five years forthe foreseeable future, reflecting the robust
growth in India's digital ecosystem.”
Other than 5G, digital transformation,and the latest technologies, there are various
factors that are encouraging the data center
segment to inch towards growth. OTT
subscription, data localization laws, Digital
Personal Data Protection Act 2023 etc. arefurther boosting the industry.
Prashant Pereira of Sify Technologies
states, “By 2026, India's Data Center
capacity in the major metropolitan cities is

PRASHANT PEREIRAVICE PRESIDENT, DATACENTER SERVICE,SIFY TECHNOLOGIES

predicted to reach 1,645 MW. Key factors
leading to the rise in Data Center growth
are penetration of 5G across the country,
adoption of Cloud Services, increase in OTT
and content usage, according to a joint reportby the Confederation of the Indian Industry
and Colliers.
The Data Localization laws, and Digital
Personal Data Protection Act 2023 also has
led to increase in Data Center capacities inIndia.
In recent years, the Indian data center
market has seen significant scalability anddensity changes. As a result of this expansion,
India is in an advantageous position for
future growth. Though Tier 1 cities havetypically been chosen for primary data center
expansion, India is experiencing a steadyincrease in the number of Data Centers
in Tier 2 cities, which are also favorable
locations for developing Edge Data Centers.
Data centers, like other businesses, arecontinually evolving as technology advancesand business needs change. With technicaladvancements such as IoT, AI, and ML, theemphasis is shifting to third-party data centersand cloud platforms to address structuralrequirements. It also allows organizations
to move much of the cost of running a data
center by moving from on-premises data
centers to the cloud, which offers computing,storage, and networking as a service.”
India's data center market is on the brinkof remarkable growth, fueled by a variety
of factors that are driving the industry's
rapid acceleration. Data center companies
are anticipating a significant surge, driven
by the widespread adoption of digitaltransformation, emerging technologies,
5G, and increasing OTT subscriptions. In
addition to these drivers, the growth will befurther bolstered by data localization laws
and the DPDP Act 2023. The industry is
optimistic and well-prepared to capitalize on
the expected growth.

www.varindia.com August 2024

39

LEAD STORYNAVIGATINGCOPYRIGHT
LAWS IN THE
AGE OF AI

The rapid evolution of artificial
intelligence (AI) technologies has brought
about remarkable advancements acrossvarious sectors, from healthcare and financeto entertainment and creative industries.
However, the rise of AI has also sparked
significant legal debates, particularly
concerning copyright violations. As AI
systems increasingly rely on vast datasets,
including copyrighted content, the questionof who owns the outputs and whether these
outputs infringe on existing copyrights has
become more pressing. This article explores
the complexities surrounding AI andcopyright law, highlighting recent examples
where AI companies have faced accusationsof copyright infringement and legal battles
that could shape the future of intellectual
property rights in the digital age.
THE INTERSECTION OF AI
AND COPYRIGHT LAW

Copyright law, designed to protect
original works of authorship, faces newchallenges in the era of AI. Traditionally,
copyright law grants exclusive rights to thecreators of original works, including theright to reproduce, distribute, and create
derivative works. However, when it comes
to AI-generated content, the lines between
original creation and reproduction of existing
works can become blurred.

40

August 2024 www.varindia.com

AI models, particularly those used increative industries such as writing, music,
and visual arts, often rely on massive datasetsto train their algorithms. These datasets
frequently include copyrighted material,
raising questions about whether the use ofsuch content for training purposes constitutes
infringement. Additionally, the outputs
generated by AI models can sometimes
closely resemble existing works, leading tofurther concerns about potential copyrightviolations.

The complaint highlights that Anthropic
built its business by leveraging these stolen
works to enhance Claude's ability to generate
human-like text. The authors argue that thecompany's practices unfairly deprive themof income and that Claude’s content creation
capabilities rely on copyrighted books forwhich Anthropic paid nothing. This lawsuit
is one of many that question the legality ofusing copyrighted content in AI training,
following similar suits against companies like
OpenAI and Meta.

RECENT CASES OF ALLEGED
COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONSBY AI COMPANIES

2.

1.

Anthropic Sued by Authors Over
Alleged Misuse of Copyrighted
Works

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic isembroiled in a legal battle after three authors
filed a class-action lawsuit in California
federal court, accusing the company ofillegally using their copyrighted works totrain its AI-powered chatbot, Claude. The
lawsuit, filed by authors Andrea Bartz,
Charles Graeber, and Kirk Wallace Johnson,
alleges that Anthropic used pirated versionsof their books and many others to develop its
AI models without proper authorization orcompensation.

AI Companies Face Setback in
Copyright Battle with Visual
Artists

In another significant legal development, agroup of visual artists scored a victory in their
ongoing battle against AI companies that use
image generators. A California federal judge
has ruled that visual artists can continue topursue some of their copyright claims against
Stability AI, Midjourney, DeviantArt, andRunway AI. These companies have beenaccused of using copyrighted images to train
their AI models without permission, thereby
violating the artists' rights.
U.S. District Judge William Orrick,presiding over the Northern District ofCalifornia, allowed several of the artists'
claims to proceed, including allegations thatthese companies illegally stored copyrighted

works on their systems. Judge Orrick
acknowledged that the artists presented aplausible argument that their copyrighted
images were used as training data andthat these images or elements could berecreated through the AI products. Thisdecision highlights the contentious natureof copyright issues in AI training and sets asignificant precedent for how similar cases
may be adjudicated in the future.
The artists argued that AI companies used
datasets, such as those from LAION, which
included their copyrighted works without
permission. Judge Orrick noted that while
the full extent of copyright infringement is
not yet clear, it is plausible that the use of
these datasets by AI systems could lead toinfringement through their use by end-users.
This ruling allows the artists to continue theirfight to protect their work from what they
see as unauthorized use by AI technologies.

3.

OpenAI and Copyright Concerns
Over GPT Models

OpenAI, a leading AI researchorganization, has faced multiple accusationsof copyright infringement due to its
generative models like GPT-3 and GPT4. These models, which are capable ofproducing human-like text based on vast
datasets, have been criticized for potentiallyusing copyrighted material without proper
authorization. In 2023, a group of authors
filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming thatthe company used their copyrighted works
to train its models without permission orcompensation.
The lawsuit against OpenAI underscoresa critical issue: while AI models can create
new content, they often do so by mimicking
patterns found in the training data, which
may include copyrighted text. The plaintiffs
argue that this practice constitutes a violationof their exclusive rights to control the
reproduction and distribution of their works.

“Such situations will also
lead to heightened scrutiny
by enterprises, and lead them
towards adopting private, "walled
garden" solutions that are built
on proprietary data. Further,
we expect a rich ecosystem toemerge that checks and assures
AI generated output for such
issues."CHIRAJEET SENGUPTAMANAGING PARTNER AT
EVEREST GROUP"AS AI TECHNOLOGYRAPIDLY EVOLVES, IT
FACES INCREASINGLEGAL SCRUTINYOVER COPYRIGHTINFRINGEMENT. FROMAUTHORS TO VISUALARTISTS, CREATORSARE CHALLENGING AICOMPANIES FOR USING
THEIR WORK WITHOUTPERMISSION, RAISINGSIGNIFICANT QUESTIONSABOUT INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY IN THE AGE OFINTELLIGENT MACHINES."

4.

In another high-profile case, Getty Images
sued Stability AI, the company behindthe popular image-generating tool Stable
Diffusion, for allegedly using millions of
copyrighted images without consent. Getty
Images claimed that Stability AI scraped theirvast image library to train its AI models,thereby infringing on their copyright andpotentially harming their business model.
The lawsuit, filed in early 2024, brings
to the forefront the tension between
technological innovation and intellectual
property rights. While Stability AI argues
that its use of copyrighted images falls
under fair use, Getty Images contends thatthe unauthorized use of their content forcommercial gain constitutes clear copyright
infringement.

5.

“AI is a tool and like any other
tool will be misused by some. I
hope the judiciary will look intosuch matters and take care of art
and artists.”

JATIN DASGLOBALLY ACCLAIMED
PAINTER AND ARTIST

Stability AI and the Getty Images
LawsuitMusic Industry vs. AI-Generated
Songs

The music industry has also been at thecenter of debates over AI and copyright.
In 2023, Universal Music Group (UMG)
took legal action against an AI startup thatdeveloped a tool capable of generating musicin the style of popular artists. UMG argued
that the AI-generated songs were derivative
works based on copyrighted music andsought damages for infringement.
This case underscores the uniquechallenges posed by AI in the creativearts. Unlike traditional sampling or coverversions, AI-generated music can replicate
an artist's style or even produce entirely newcompositions that sound strikingly similar
to existing songs. Determining whether suchoutputs violate copyright laws requires anuanced understanding of both technology
and intellectual property rights.

www.varindia.com August 2024

41

LEAD STORYLEGAL AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONSOF AI COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONS“If an AI company profits fromcontent based on someone
else's copyrighted material, they
are obligated to share thoseearnings, possibly in the formof royalties. AI technology wasnever intended to be used freely
at the expense of creators’ rights,
and this ruling underscores
the need for clear guidelines
in balancing innovation withcopyright protection.”

The legal battles between AI companies
and copyright holders have far-reaching
implications for the future of both AI
development and intellectual property law.
As courts grapple with these complex issues,
several key questions emerge:
Fair Use Doctrine: One of the primarydefenses used by AI companies is the conceptof fair use, which allows limited use of
copyrighted material without permission
under certain circumstances. However,determining what constitutes fair use in thecontext of AI training data is a contentious
issue. Courts must consider whether the useof copyrighted material to train AI models
qualifies as transformative and whether it
adversely affects the market for the original
works.
Ownership of AI-Generated Works:
Another critical question is who owns
the rights to content created by AI. In
many jurisdictions, copyright law does not
currently recognize AI as a legal entity capableof holding copyright. This raises questions
about whether the creators of AI models, theusers who deploy them, or the entities that
own the training data should be considered
the rightful owners of AI-generated works.
Ethical Considerations: Beyond the legal
implications, there are also ethical concerns
regarding the use of copyrighted material in AI
training. Some argue that using copyrighted
works without consent undermines the rightsof creators and devalues their contributions.
Others believe that AI-driven innovation
should be encouraged, even if it requires
revisiting traditional notions of copyright.

PRASHANT MALIADVOCATE AND
CYBERLAW EXPERT.

"THE LEGAL BATTLESBETWEEN AI FIRMS AND
COPYRIGHT HOLDERS
ARE INTENSIFYING, WITH
COURTS BEGINNING TO
WEIGH IN ON WHETHERTRAINING AI MODELS ON
COPYRIGHTED CONTENTCONSTITUTES FAIRUSE OR INFRINGEMENT.
THESE RULINGS COULD
SET IMPORTANT
PRECEDENTS FOR THE
FUTURE OF AI AND
CONTENT CREATION."

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE
OF AI AND COPYRIGHT•As AI continues to evolve and integrate
into various industries, finding a balance
between fostering innovation and protecting
intellectual property rights will be crucial. The
outcomes of ongoing legal battles, like those
involving Anthropic, OpenAI, Stability AI,
Midjourney, DeviantArt, Runway AI, andthe music industry, will likely set important
precedents for how copyright law is appliedin the context of AI.

1.

•

Potential Solutions and Industry
Best Practices

To mitigate the risk of copyright
infringement, AI companies can adopt several
best practices:•

42

Clear Licensing Agreements: AI
developers should seek to obtain
explicit licenses for copyrighted
materials used in training datasets.
This approach not only reduces
legal risks but also ensures thatcreators are fairly compensated forthe use of their works.

August 2024 www.varindia.com

2.

Transparency in Data Usage:
Companies should be transparent
about the datasets they use
for training AI models. Thistransparency can help build trustwith content creators and the public,
demonstrating a commitment toethical AI practices.
Investment in Original Content
Creation: AI companies can also
focus on developing original
datasets or working with content
creators to generate training data.
By investing in original content,
companies can reduce reliance on
copyrighted material and minimize
potential legal disputes.

The Role of Policymakers andRegulatory Bodies

Policymakers and regulatory bodies willplay a critical role in shaping the future of AI
and copyright law. To address the challenges
posed by AI-generated content, governments
could consider:

•

•

•

Updating
Copyright
Laws:
Modernizing copyright laws toaccount for the unique challenges
posed by AI is essential. This may
include creating new provisions for
AI-generated works, clarifying theapplication of fair use, and defining
the rights and responsibilities of AI
developers and users.
Establishing Industry Standards:
Regulatory bodies could work withstakeholders to develop industry
standards for AI development
and data usage. These standards
could provide clear guidelines for
AI companies, helping to prevent
copyright
infringement
andpromote ethical practices.
Encouraging
Collaboration:
Governments can also encourage
collaboration
betweenAIcompanies, content creators, andcopyright holders. By fostering
dialogueandcooperation,
stakeholders can work together tofind mutually beneficial solutions
that respect both innovation andintellectual property rights.

CONCLUSION

The intersection of AI and copyright law
is a rapidly evolving landscape filled withboth opportunities and challenges. As AI
technologies continue to advance, the legal
system must adapt to address the uniqueissues that arise.
By finding a balance between promoting
innovation and protecting the rights ofcreators, society can harness the full potentialof AI while respecting the foundational
principles of copyright law. The ongoinglegal battles involving AI companies andcopyright holders serve as a reminder ofthe importance of navigating this complex
terrain with care and consideration for allparties involved.

VAR SURVEY

AI Industry

RIDING THE WAVEOF INNOVATIONAND GROWTH

The artificial intelligence (AI) industry inIndia has rapidly emerged as a key player on
the global stage, driven by a robust ecosystemof startups, supportive government policies,
and a growing pool of skilled professionals.
In 2023, AI continued to transform various
sectors, from healthcare and finance toagriculture and education, underscoring
its potential to drive economic growth andsocietal progress.
Globally, AI has become a criticaltechnology, with countries vying forleadership through significant investments inresearch and development (R&D), and policy
frameworks aimed at fostering innovation.
Major AI pioneers such as OpenAI,
Anthropic, and Gemini have revolutionized
the AI landscape with groundbreaking
advancements in natural language processing,machine learning models, and ethical AI
development. OpenAI’s GPT-4 set new
standards for language models, offering
unprecedented capabilities in understanding
and generating human-like text. Anthropic,
with its focus on AI safety, developed
innovative frameworks to ensure responsible
AI usage, while Gemini pushed theboundaries of AI applications in personalized
experiences and predictive analytics.
India, with its vast talent pool andvibrant tech ecosystem, is well-positioned to
be a major contender in the global AI race.
The Indian AI industry has seen substantial
advancements in AI applications, research,and commercialization, making 2023 a
pivotal year.

Global AI Trends Shaping the Industry
2023 witnessed several global trends thatsignificantly impacted the AI landscape.
These trends include advancements in AI
research, increased adoption of AI acrossindustries, ethical AI development, andinternational collaborations.

Advancements in AI Research:The
globalAIcommunity
saw
breakthroughsinnaturallanguageprocessing (NLP), computer vision, andreinforcement learning. Innovations suchas GPT-4, advanced image recognition
systems, and autonomous decision-making
models pushed the boundaries of what AI
can achieve.
Industry Adoption: AI adoption
accelerated across various sectors. In
healthcare, AI-powered diagnostic tools
and personalized medicine saw widespreaduse. Financial institutions leveraged AI
for fraud detection, customer service
automation, and risk management.
Manufacturing industries implemented AIdriven predictive maintenance and quality
control systems.
Ethical AI Development: As
AI’s influence grew, so did concerns
about its ethical implications. Issues suchas data privacy, algorithmic bias, andthe impact of AI on jobs became focal
points. Global entities, including theEuropean Union and the United Nations,worked on frameworks and guidelines toensure responsible AI development anddeployment.

International

Collaborations:

Cross-border collaborations in AI researchand development gained momentum.
Joint projects, academic exchanges, andmultinational AI consortiums helped insharing knowledge, resources, and bestpractices, accelerating the overall progressin AI.
The Indian AI Landscape: Growth andInnovation
India’s AI industry witnessed significant
growth in 2023, driven by an increase in
AI applications, research initiatives, andinvestment in AI startups.
AI applications in India covered a widearray of sectors. In agriculture, AI-powered
solutions helped in crop monitoring, yieldprediction, and pest control. In education,
AI-based personalized learning platforms andadaptive testing tools became popular. The
healthcare sector benefited from AI-driven
diagnostic tools, telemedicine platforms, andpatient management systems.
Indian institutions and companies
intensified their focus on AI research. Institutes
like the Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
collaborated with global tech giants on cuttingedge AI research projects. Publications from
Indian researchers in top-tier AI conferences
and journals increased, reflecting the country’s
growing contribution to the field.
The AI sector in India attracted significant
investments from both domestic andinternational investors. Venture capital (VC)
firms, corporate investors, and government

www.varindia.com August 2024

43

VAR SURVEY

India’s AI Vanguard: A Look at
Prominent Startups Shaping the Future
India’s tech landscape is witnessing a surge in artificial intelligence(AI) innovation. From pioneering healthcare solutions torevolutionizing logistics, these startups are making a significant
impact across various industries. Let’s explore some of theprominent AI startups shaping the future in India:

Krutrim (Ola): Krutrim, launched by ride-hailing giant Ola,stands out for its ambition. It aims to be a comprehensive AI
ecosystem, offering an AI computing stack, developer tools, and auser-friendly AI assistant app. This multi-pronged approach has thepotential to empower businesses, researchers, and individuals toleverage AI effectively.

Fasal: Fasal focuses on predictive farming by using AI toprovide accurate weather forecasts, soil health data, and cropspecific advice. This enables farmers to optimize their use of water,
fertilizers, and pesticides, ultimately enhancing productivity andsustainability.
Qure.ai: Qure.ai develops AI-powered radiology tools that assist

in diagnosing diseases from medical images. Their algorithms candetect abnormalities in X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs with highaccuracy, providing radiologists with critical insights and reducing
diagnostic time. Qure.ai’s solutions are used in hospitals anddiagnostic centers worldwide.

Niramai: This healthcare startup focuses on AI-powered early Signzy: Signzy offers AI-driven digital onboarding and KYC
detection of breast cancer. Niramai’s solution utilizes a noninvasive, radiation-free thermal imaging technique coupled with AI
algorithms to analyze images and detect potential abnormalities.
This affordable and accessible solution holds immense promise for
improving breast cancer screening, particularly in rural areas.

solutions that enhance security and compliance for financial
institutions. Their platform uses AI to verify documents and detectfraud, making the onboarding process faster and more reliable.
Signzy’s solutions are widely adopted by banks and fintech
companies across the globe.

Locus: This logistics startup leverages AI and machine learning Embibe: Embibe focuses on AI-driven educational content
to optimize supply chain operations. Locus’s platform analyzes
real-time data on traffic, weather, and other factors to suggest themost efficient routes for delivery vehicles. This not only reducesdelivery times and costs but also minimizes environmental impact.

Haptik: A leading conversational AI platform, Haptik provides

and adaptive testing. Their platform uses AI to analyze student
performance and provide targeted feedback, helping students
improve their understanding of concepts and perform better inexams. Embibe’s solutions are used by educational institutions andindividual learners.

chatbots and virtual assistants for customer service applications.
Their AI-powered solutions help businesses automate customer
interactions, improve response times, and personalize customer
experiences. Haptik’s technology caters to a wide range ofindustries, from banking and telecom to retail and travel.

Vue.ai: Vue.ai provides AI-driven visual search and personalization
solutions for e-commerce platforms. Their technology enables
customers to find products based on images, receive personalizedrecommendations, and enjoy a more engaging shopping experience.
Vue.ai’s solutions are used by leading retailers worldwide.

Yellow.ai: This AI-powered marketing platform assists businesses
in reaching their target audience with greater precision. Yellow.ai
utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to understand customer
intent and personalize marketing campaigns across various
channels. Additionally, their chatbot solutions enable businesses toautomate customer interactions and provide 24/7 support.

Mad Street Den: Mad Street Den offers AI solutions for visual

Wysa: This mental health and wellness startup offers an AIpowered chatbot companion named Wysa. This chatbot uses
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to provide
emotional support, manage stress, and improve mental well-being.
Wysa caters to a growing need for accessible and affordable mental
health resources.
AgNext Technologies: This startup leverages AI and big
data analytics to revolutionize the agriculture sector. AgNext
offers solutions for crop health monitoring, weather prediction,and precision agriculture. Their AI algorithms analyze satellite
imagery and sensor data to provide farmers with valuable insights
for improving crop yields and optimizing resource use.
44

August 2024 www.varindia.com

merchandising, inventory management, and customer engagement.
Their AI-powered platform helps retailers optimize their productdisplays, manage stock levels efficiently, and engage customers withpersonalized content. Mad Street Den’s technology is transforming
the retail landscape.

grants provided substantial funding to AI
startups, fostering innovation and scaling ofAI solutions.
Government Policies and Initiatives
The Indian government has beenproactive in promoting the AI industry
through various policies and initiatives aimed
at fostering innovation, ensuring ethical use
of AI, and enhancing AI literacy.
The government’s National Strategy for
AI, also known as #AIforAll, aims to leverage
AI for inclusive growth. The strategy focuses
on research and innovation, skilling andreskilling the workforce, and encouraging AI
adoption across sectors.
The establishment of AI research
institutes, such as the Indian AI ResearchInstitute (IAIRI), has been instrumental inadvancing AI research and development.
These institutes collaborate with academia,
industry, and international partners to drive
AI innovation.
Recognizing the need for a skilledworkforce, the government launched various
AI-focused skill development programs.
Initiatives like the National AI Portal and AIspecific courses under the Skill India mission
aim to train professionals and students in AI
technologies.
The government is working on ethicalframeworks and guidelines to address issues
related to data privacy, algorithmic bias,
and transparency. These frameworks aim toensure that AI technologies are developed
and deployed responsibly.
Challenges and Opportunities
The future of the Indian AI industry looks
promising, with immense potential for growthand innovation. However, the sector also faces
several challenges that need to be addressed.
AI has the potential to transform sectors
such as logistics, energy, and public safety.
Startups and established companies can
explore AI applications in these areas to drive
efficiency and innovation.
Strengthening international collaborations
can enhance India’s AI capabilities.
Collaborative research projects, joint ventures,
and academic exchanges can help in sharing
knowledge and accelerating AI advancements.
Leveraging AI for social impact presents
a significant opportunity. AI solutions canaddress challenges in areas such as healthcare,education, agriculture, and urban planning,
contributing to sustainable development.
Ensuring data privacy and security remains
a critical challenge. Developing robust dataprotection regulations and implementing
strong cybersecurity measures are essential tobuild trust in AI systems.
Despite significant progress, the AI sector
faces a talent shortage. Continued focus on AI
education, training programs, and industryacademia collaborations is needed to develop
a skilled workforce.
Building and maintaining the necessary
infrastructure for AI research and deployment,
includinghigh-performancecomputingresources and data storage facilities, is achallenge that needs to be addressed.
Navigating the complex regulatory
landscape can be challenging for AI startups.
Streamlining regulations and providing clear
guidelines can facilitate innovation while
ensuring compliance.
Outlook For 2024
India’s AI industry is poised forremarkable growth and innovation in 2024,
driven by technological advancements,
increasing adoption across sectors, andsupportive government policies. Here’s
an in-depth look at the outlook for thistransformative sector:

Growing Adoption Across Industries

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being
increasingly adopted across various
industries in India, including healthcare,finance,retail,manufacturing,andagriculture. Businesses are leveraging AI
to enhance efficiency, improve decisionmaking, and offer personalized experiences.
In 2024, this trend is expected to intensify,
with more sectors exploring AI solutions todrive innovation and competitiveness.

Government Initiatives and Policy
SupportThe Indian government’s push towards
AI development is a significant driver for
the industry. Initiatives like the National
AI Strategy and the establishment of AI
research centers aim to foster innovation
and research in AI technologies. The
government’s focus on creating a robust
digital infrastructure and providing funding
support for AI startups and research projects
is expected to propel the industry forward.

Investments and Funding

Investment in AI startups and companies
is expected to surge in 2024. Both domestic
and international investors are recognizing
the potential of India’s AI industry, leading
to increased funding for AI-driven solutions
and innovations. This influx of capitalwill support the development of new AI
applications, enhance existing technologies,
and drive market expansion.

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements in AI,
including machine learning, natural
language processing, computer vision, androbotics, are accelerating the developmentof innovative solutions. In 2024, theseadvancements are expected to result in moresophisticated and efficient AI applications,enabling businesses to automate complex
tasks, gain deeper insights from data, andimprove overall operational efficiency.

Focus on Ethical AI and Data Privacy

As AI adoption grows, there is anincreasing focus on ethical AI and data

privacy. The development of frameworks
and guidelines to ensure the ethical use of
AI technologies and protect user data is apriority. In 2024, efforts to address biases
in AI algorithms, ensure transparency, andcomply with data protection regulations
will be critical to gaining public trust anddriving widespread adoption.

Education and Skill Development

The demand for AI talent is expected
to rise significantly in 2024. Educational
institutions and industry players arecollaborating to develop specialized
AI courses, training programs, andcertifications to equip professionals with thenecessary skills. Upskilling the workforce
in AI technologies will be crucial to meeting
industry demands and fostering innovation.

Integration
Technologies

withEmerging

The integration of AI with otheremerging technologies such as the Internetof Things (IoT), blockchain, and 5G is
expected to create new opportunities andapplications. AI-powered IoT solutions,for instance, can enable smart cities,
enhance industrial automation, and improvehealthcare outcomes. The convergence of
these technologies will drive innovation andcreate new business models.

Applications in Public Services

AI is playing a growing role inenhancing public services and governancein India. Applications such as predictive
analytics for disaster management, AIdriven public health initiatives, and smart
traffic management systems are improving
efficiency and service delivery. In 2024, theadoption of AI in public services is expected
to expand, leading to more effective andcitizen-centric governance.

CONCLUSIONThe Indian AI industry in 2023
showcased
remarkable
growthandinnovation, positioning itself as a key player
in the global AI landscape. The sector’s
advancements were driven by a vibrantstartup ecosystem, supportive government
policies, and increasing investments in AI
research and development. As the industry
continues to evolve, addressing challenges
related to data privacy, talent development,
and infrastructure will be crucial.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Indian AI
industry is poised for further expansion,
with opportunities to explore new sectors,
enhance global collaborations, and leverage
AI for social good. With continued support
from the government, industry, andacademia, India can solidify its position as a
global leader in AI, driving economic growthand societal progress.

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45

INDUSTRYEVENTVARSURVEYBFSI Industry

STORY OFRESILIENCE AND
INNOVATIONThe Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector in
India stands as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic infrastructure,
playing a critical role in supporting economic growth, stability,and financial inclusion. Over the years, this sector has undergone
significant transformations, driven by regulatory changes,
technological advancements, and evolving consumer preferences. The
year 2023 was particularly noteworthy, marked by robust growth,
digital innovation, and increased regulatory scrutiny.
In 2023, the BFSI sector demonstrated remarkable resilience
amidst global economic uncertainties and domestic challenges. The
sector continued to expand its reach, enhance service quality, andinnovate through digital transformation initiatives. Major financial
institutions, including banks, non-banking financial companies(NBFCs), and insurance providers, focused on leveraging technology
to improve customer experience, streamline operations, and mitigate
risks.
The government and regulatory bodies, including the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India(SEBI), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority ofIndia (IRDAI), played pivotal roles in shaping the sector’s trajectorythrough policy reforms aimed at strengthening financial stability,
promoting transparency, and encouraging financial inclusion.

THE MARKETThe Indian BFSI sector saw substantial growth in 2023, buildingon the momentum from 2022. According to data from the RBI, thetotal assets of scheduled commercial banks grew from INR 173 trillion
in December 2022 to INR 183 trillion by March 2024. This growth
was driven by increased lending, higher deposit mobilization, and theproliferation of digital banking services.

BANKING SECTOR

The banking sector experienced robust growth in both retail andcorporate lending. Total credit extended by banks increased from INR
118 trillion in December 2022 to INR 125 trillion by March 2024. The
growth in retail lending was primarily driven by increased demand forhome loans, personal loans, and vehicle loans, supported by low-interest
rates and favorable economic conditions. Corporate lending also saw
a resurgence, with banks focusing on sectors such as infrastructure,
manufacturing, and services.
Bank deposits grew from INR 140 trillion in December 2022 to
INR 148 trillion by March 2024, reflecting strong deposit mobilization

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August 2024 www.varindia.com

efforts and increased consumer confidence in the banking system. The
introduction of innovative deposit schemes, attractive interest rates, andenhanced customer service contributed to this growth.
Digital banking continued to gain traction, with a significant increasein the adoption of online and mobile banking services. The numberof digital transactions surged, driven by the widespread use of Unified
Payments Interface (UPI), internet banking, and mobile banking apps.
Banks invested heavily in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, andfintech collaborations to enhance the customer experience and improve
operational efficiency.

NON-BANKING FINANCIAL
COMPANIES (NBFCS)NBFCs played a crucial role in bridging the credit gap forunderserved segments, including micro, small, and medium enterprises(MSMEs), and rural and semi-urban populations. The total assets of
NBFCs grew from INR 40 trillion in December 2022 to INR 45 trillion
by March 2024.
NBFCs, particularly those focused on microfinance and MSME
lending, saw significant growth. The microfinance sector expanded
its loan portfolio by 18%, reaching INR 2.5 trillion by March 2024.
MSME lending by NBFCs grew by 20%, driven by increased demand
for working capital and business expansion loans.
Housing finance companies (HFCs) also experienced robust growth,with the total housing loan portfolio increasing by 15% to INR 12
trillion by March 2024. The government’s focus on affordable housing
and the introduction of subsidized housing schemes played a pivotal
role in this growth.

INSURANCE SECTOR

The insurance sector saw considerable expansion, driven by risingawareness about the importance of insurance, increased penetrationin rural areas, and innovative product offerings. The total premiums
collected by the insurance industry grew from INR 6 trillion in
December 2022 to INR 7 trillion by March 2024.
The life insurance segment experienced a 12% growth in premiums,
with total premiums reaching INR 4.5 trillion by March 2024. The
introduction of flexible, customer-centric products, along with digital
distribution channels, contributed to this growth. The sector also saw
a significant increase in the adoption of term insurance and unit-linked
insurance plans (ULIPs).
The general insurance segment grew by 14%, with total premiumsreaching INR 2.5 trillion by March 2024. Health insurance continued
to be the fastest-growing segment within general insurance, driven byincreased health awareness and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sector also saw growth in motor insurance, driven by higher vehicle
sales and regulatory mandates.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

2023 was a year of significant developments for major financial
institutions in India. Each segment of the BFSI sector—banks,
NBFCs, and insurance companies—undertook strategic initiatives tostrengthen their market positions and enhance service offerings.

SBI

State Bank of India (SBI), the largest public sector bank, continued
to dominate the market with its extensive branch network, strong
digital presence, and diverse product offerings.
SBI’s loan book grew by 12% in 2023, driven by robust growth
in retail loans, particularly home and personal loans, and increased
demand for corporate credit. The bank’s total advances reached INR
30 trillion by March 2024.
SBI invested significantly in digital initiatives, including theenhancement of its YONO platform, which saw a 20% increase inuser base, reaching 60 million users by March 2024. The bank also
launched several AI-driven customer service initiatives and chatbots
to improve customer experience.

HDFC BANKHDFC Bank, the largest private sector bank, maintained its
leadership position through innovative products, superior customer
service, and a strong focus on digital banking.
HDFC Bank’s loan book grew by 15%, with significant
contributions from retail loans and SME lending. The bank’s deposits
increased by 13%, supported by competitive interest rates andinnovative deposit schemes.
HDFC Bank continued to enhance its digital offerings, including
mobile banking, internet banking, and payment solutions. The bank’s
digital transactions accounted for 85% of total transactions by
March 2024. HDFC Bank also focused on fintech collaborations andinvestments in digital infrastructure to enhance its service offerings.

BAJAJ FINANCE

Bajaj Finance, a leading NBFC, continued to expand its presence
across various lending segments, including consumer finance, SME
lending, and commercial lending.
Bajaj Finance’s consumer finance portfolio grew by 18%, driven
by strong demand for personal loans, consumer durable loans, andtwo-wheeler loans. The company’s total assets under management(AUM) reached INR 2 trillion by March 2024.
Bajaj Finance invested heavily in digital transformation, including
the enhancement of its mobile app and online lending platforms. The
company introduced several AI-driven credit assessment tools toimprove lending efficiency and customer experience.

LIC

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the largest life insurer,
continued to dominate the life insurance market with a strong focus
on expanding its product portfolio and enhancing customer service.
LIC’s total premiums grew by 10%, reaching INR 2.7 trillion by
March 2024. The company saw significant growth in its term insurance
and pension plans, driven by increased awareness and demand forfinancial security.
LIC focused on enhancing its digital presence through its e-services
platform, which saw a 25% increase in user base. The company also
introduced several digital tools for policy management and claim
settlement to improve customer experience.

ICICI LOMBARDICICI Lombard, a leading general insurer, focused on expanding

its health and motor insurance segments while enhancing its digital
capabilities.
ICICI Lombard’s total premiums grew by 15%, reaching INR 250
billion by March 2024. The health insurance segment was the key
driver of growth, followed by motor insurance.
ICICI Lombard invested in digital platforms for policy purchase,renewal, and claim settlement. The company also launched AI-driven
tools for risk assessment and fraud detection to enhance operational
efficiency and customer service.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

2023 witnessed several major announcements and strategic
initiatives in the Indian BFSI sector, including mergers, acquisitions,partnerships, and policy reforms.
Axis Bank and Citi’s Consumer Business: One of the most notablemergers was Axis Bank’s acquisition of Citi’s consumer banking
business in India. This strategic move expanded Axis Bank’s customer
base and product portfolio, particularly in the wealth management
and credit card segments.
Fintech Collaborations: Banks and NBFCs increasingly partneredwith fintech companies to enhance their digital offerings and improvecustomer experience. HDFC Bank’s collaboration with leading fintech
startups to develop innovative payment solutions and lending products
was a key highlight.
RBI’s Digital Currency Initiative: The RBI’s initiative to explore
and pilot a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) marked a significant
step towards digital innovation in the financial sector. The pilot project
aimed to assess the feasibility and impact of CBDCs on monetary policy
and financial stability.
IRDAI’s Sandbox Regulations: The IRDAI introduced new
sandbox regulations to encourage innovation in the insurance sector.
These regulations allowed insurance companies to test new products
and services in a controlled environment, promoting experimentationand innovation.

OUTLOOK FOR 2024

The outlook for the Indian BFSI sector in 2024 remains positive,
driven by continued economic growth, technological advancements,and favorable regulatory developments. Key trends expected to shape
the sector include:
Digital Transformation: The BFSI sector will continue to focus on
digital transformation, with increased investments in AI, blockchain,and cybersecurity. Digital banking, online lending, and insurtech are
expected to see significant growth.
Financial Inclusion: Efforts to enhance financial inclusion willremain a priority, with a focus on expanding financial services to ruraland underserved areas. Government initiatives and partnerships with
fintech companies will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Sustainable Finance: The growing emphasis on environmental,social, and governance (ESG) factors will drive the adoption ofsustainable finance practices. Banks and financial institutions will
increasingly integrate ESG criteria into their lending and investment
decisions.
Regulatory Developments: Regulatory bodies will continue to playa key role in shaping the sector through policy reforms and guidelines
aimed at promoting financial stability, transparency, and consumer
protection.
The Indian BFSI sector in 2023 demonstrated resilience andinnovation, adapting to economic challenges and leveraging digitaladvancements to drive growth. With a positive outlook for 2024, thesector is poised to continue its trajectory of expansion and transformation,
contributing significantly to India’s economic development andfinancial inclusion goals.

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INDUSTRY EVENTVAR SURVEY

Cloud Computing

THE RISE OF CLOUDCOMPUTING ANDSERVICES IN INDIA

Cloud computing has become a pivotal technology in the digitaltransformation journey of businesses worldwide. Innovations bycompanies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini have significantly
influenced the global AI and cloud landscape. In India, the cloudcomputing industry has witnessed substantial growth, driven byincreasing digital adoption, a surge in start-ups, and a growing emphasison data-driven decision-making.

GLOBAL TRENDS IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Globally, the cloud computing market has been experiencing
robust growth. According to Gartner, worldwide end-user spending
on public cloud services is forecasted to grow by 20.4% in 2023,
reaching a total of $591.8 billion, up from $490.3 billion in 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of cloudtechnologies as organizations seek agility, scalability, and cost
efficiency.
Key trends shaping the global cloud computing landscape include
multi-cloud and hybrid cloud adoption, edge computing, AI and ML
integration, and serverless computing. Enterprises are increasingly
adopting multi-cloud strategies to avoid vendor lock-in and leverage
the best features of different cloud providers. Hybrid cloud, which
combines on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services, isalso gaining traction for its flexibility and control.
With the rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, edge computing
is becoming essential. It involves processing data closer to the sourceof generation to reduce latency and bandwidth usage. This trend isparticularly relevant in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, andretail. Cloud providers are integrating AI and ML capabilities into
their platforms, enabling businesses to leverage advanced analytics
and automation. These technologies are being used for predictive
maintenance, customer insights, and operational efficiencies. Serverlessarchitectures are becoming popular due to their cost-effectiveness andability to scale automatically. This model allows developers to focus
on code without managing the underlying infrastructure.

DOMESTIC TRENDS IN CLOUDCOMPUTING IN INDIA

India’s cloud computing market is on an upward trajectory,
driven by the country’s digitalization efforts and a vibrant start-up
ecosystem. According to a report by Nasscom, the Indian cloudmarket is expected to grow at a CAGR of 30% to reach $13 billion
by 2025.
Key domestic trends include government initiatives, SME andstart-up adoption, data localization laws, and sector-specific cloud48

August 2024 www.varindia.com

solutions. The Indian government has launched several initiatives like
Digital India and Smart Cities Mission, which are fueling the adoptionof cloud services. These initiatives aim to improve governance,
provide citizen-centric services, and boost economic development
through technology. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups are leveraging cloud computing to scale rapidly, reduce IT costs,
and innovate.
The ease of access to cloud infrastructure is enabling thesebusinesses to compete with larger enterprises. India’s emphasis ondata sovereignty has led to the implementation of data localization
laws, requiring data to be stored within the country. This has
prompted global cloud providers to establish data centers in India,
enhancing data security and compliance. There is a growing demandfor industry-specific cloud solutions tailored to sectors such as
healthcare, education, and finance. These solutions address uniqueregulatory, operational, and security requirements.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN 2023

The year 2023 has been eventful for the Indian cloud computing
industry, with several major deals, investments, and strategic
initiatives. Google Cloud announced the opening of a new cloud
region in Delhi NCR, its second in India. This expansion aims to caterto the growing demand for cloud services in North India and provide
enhanced performance and redundancy. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
launched a new AWS Asia Pacific (Hyderabad) Region, marking its
second infrastructure region in India. AWS’s continued investment
in India underscores the strategic importance of the Indian market
in its global operations. Microsoft Azure expanded its partnershipwith Jio Platforms to accelerate the adoption of cloud services acrossindustries.
This collaboration focuses on developing innovative solutions inareas such as artificial intelligence, edge computing, and IoT. Oracle
strengthened its presence in India by opening a second cloud regionin Hyderabad. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s robust offerings are
attracting enterprises looking for high performance, security, and costsavings. Both telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have been
aggressively expanding their cloud services. Jio’s partnership with
Google Cloud and Airtel’s collaboration with AWS highlight theircommitment to building robust cloud infrastructure and services.

PROMINENT PLAYERS IN THE MARKET

Several prominent players dominate the Indian cloud computing
market, each offering a range of services and solutions.
Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS remains a leader in theIndian market, offering a comprehensive suite of cloud services,
including computing power, storage, and databases. Its focus on
innovation and extensive partner ecosystem make it a preferredchoice for businesses. AWS’s strengths include its broad range ofservices, global reach, and robust security measures. AWS has been
pivotal in supporting the digital transformation of Indian enterprises,from start-ups to large corporations. AWS’s Elastic Compute Cloud(EC2), Simple Storage Service (S3), and its various machine learning
and AI tools have been instrumental for businesses across sectors.
Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure’s strong enterprise focus andintegration with Microsoft’s software products make it a popular
choice among Indian enterprises. Azure’s hybrid cloud capabilities
and AI-driven solutions are particularly appealing. The platform offersa range of services, from virtual machines to AI and analytics. Azure’s
global presence, compliance offerings, and robust security framework
are significant advantages for businesses looking to leverage cloudtechnologies. Azure’s services are extensively used in sectors such as
finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, providing tailored solutions
that meet industry-specific requirements.
Google Cloud: Google Cloud’s data analytics, AI, and machinelearning capabilities are its key differentiators. Its commitment
to expanding its infrastructure in India is driving adoption acrossvarious sectors. Google Cloud’s BigQuery, TensorFlow, and Anthos
are popular among businesses for their powerful analytics and dataprocessing capabilities. The opening of new cloud regions in India
reflects Google Cloud’s strategic investment in the market, enhancing
its ability to serve local customers with low-latency and highperformance services.
IBM Cloud: IBM Cloud leverages its expertise in AI andblockchain to offer robust cloud solutions. Its focus on hybrid
cloud and industry-specific solutions is resonating with Indianbusinesses. IBM’s Watson AI services and blockchain platforms are
particularly notable, providing businesses with tools to innovate andtransform their operations. IBM Cloud’s strong emphasis on security,
compliance, and enterprise-grade solutions makes it a preferredchoice for large enterprises in sectors such as banking, healthcare, andlogistics.
Oracle Cloud: Oracle’s strong presence in the enterprise software
market extends to its cloud offerings. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is
known for its performance, security, and cost-effectiveness. Oracle’s
Autonomous Database and advanced analytics services are widelyused by businesses seeking robust data management solutions.
The expansion of Oracle’s cloud regions in India underscores its
commitment to providing scalable and secure cloud services to Indian
enterprises.
Tata Communications: Tata Communications provides cloudand cybersecurity services tailored to Indian businesses. Its deep
understanding of the local market and strong network infrastructure
are significant advantages. Tata Communications’ cloud services aredesigned to meet the needs of Indian SMEs and large enterprises,offering flexibility, scalability, and robust security features.
Wipro and Infosys: IT services giants like Wipro and Infosys
offer cloud consulting, migration, and management services. Theirextensive experience in handling large-scale IT projects makes themreliable partners for cloud transformation. Both companies havedeveloped strong cloud practices, leveraging partnerships with major
cloud providers to deliver end-to-end cloud solutions.
HCL Technologies and NTT Ltd.: Other notable players
include HCL Technologies, which offers a range of cloud services,and NTT Ltd., which focuses on hybrid cloud and edge computing
solutions. These companies provide comprehensive cloud services,from strategy and consulting to implementation and management,
helping businesses navigate their cloud journey effectively.

OUTLOOK FOR 2024

India’s cloud computing and services industry is set for significant
expansion in 2024, driven by increased digital transformation,
widespread adoption of cloud technologies, and supportive
government policies. Here’s a detailed look at the outlook for thisdynamic sector:
Rapid Digital Transformation

Digital transformation initiatives across various industries
are accelerating the adoption of cloud computing. Businesses are
increasingly leveraging cloud services to enhance efficiency, scalability,
and innovation. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with moreenterprises migrating their operations to the cloud to stay competitivein a digital-first world.
Government Initiatives and Policy Support
The Indian government’s push towards a digital economy is a major
driver for the cloud computing industry. Policies aimed at promoting
digital infrastructure, data localization, and cybersecurity are creating
a conducive environment for cloud services growth. Initiatives like
Digital India and the Smart Cities Mission are also spurring thedemand for cloud solutions to support urban development and public
services.
Growing Demand for Cloud Services
The demand for various cloud services, including Infrastructure
as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as aService (SaaS), is expected to rise significantly in 2024. Businesses of all
sizes are adopting cloud solutions to improve operational efficiency,
reduce costs, and enable remote work. The education, healthcare, ande-commerce sectors, in particular, are driving this demand.
Expansion of Data Center Infrastructure
The growth of cloud computing is closely tied to the expansionof data center infrastructure in India. Major cloud service providers
like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are investingheavily in building new data centers and expanding existing ones.
These investments are aimed at enhancing data storage, processing
capabilities, and providing low-latency services to customers acrossthe country.

Advancements in Cloud Technologies

Technological advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence(AI), machine learning, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things(IoT) are driving the evolution of cloud services. In 2024, thesetechnologies are expected to be integrated more deeply into cloud
platforms, offering advanced capabilities for predictive analytics,
automation, and intelligent decision-making.
Focus on Security and Compliance
As cloud adoption increases, so does the focus on security andcompliance. Cloud service providers are enhancing their security
frameworks to protect against cyber threats and ensure data privacy.
Compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection
Regulation (GDPR) and India’s upcoming Personal Data Protection
Bill is also a priority, driving the implementation of robust security
measures.
Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies
Organizations are increasingly adopting hybrid and multi-cloudstrategies to leverage the best of different cloud environments.
This approach allows businesses to optimize performance, enhanceflexibility, and ensure redundancy. In 2024, the trend towards hybrid
and multi-cloud deployments is expected to grow, supported byadvancements in cloud orchestration and management tools.
Talent Development and Skill Enhancement
The growth of the cloud computing industry necessitates a skilledworkforce. There is a strong focus on developing talent throughtraining programs, certifications, and partnerships between industry
and academia. In 2024, efforts to upskill IT professionals in cloudtechnologies, cybersecurity, and data management will be critical tomeeting industry demands.

TOP CLOUD PROVIDERS

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VAR SURVEY

IT Hardware

CHARTING INDIA’S
DIGITAL DESTINY

The Indian IT hardware industry is a
critical segment of the country’s broader IT
ecosystem, playing a vital role in the digitaltransformation of businesses and consumers
alike. The sector encompasses a wide rangeof products, including personal computers(PCs), laptops, printers, servers, and storage
devices. In 2023, the industry witnessedsignificant growth, driven by increased digital
adoption, favorable government policies, andrising investments in local manufacturing.
The India IT Hardware Market size isestimated at USD 19.77 billion in 2024, and is
expected to reach USD 27.86 billion by 2029,
growing at a CAGR of 7.10%

the norm. This trend is driving growth in
the PC, laptop, and tablet segments. The
proliferation of digital services and data
consumption is driving the expansion ofdata centers across the country. Companies
are investing in high-performance servers,
storage solutions, and networking equipment
to support this growth. With the rise incyber threats, there is an increasing focus
on cybersecurity hardware. Solutions suchas firewalls, intrusion detection systems,
and secure routers are becoming essential
components of IT infrastructure.

DOMESTIC TRENDS
IN THE INDIAN IT
HARDWARE INDUSTRY

The year 2023 witnessed several significant
developments in the Indian IT hardware
industry, marked by strategic investments,
collaborations,andtechnologicaladvancements.
Local Manufacturing: The Indian
government’s push for local manufacturing
under the ‘Make in India’ initiative gained
momentum, with major IT hardware
companies setting up production facilities in
the country. Foxconn, a leading electronics
manufacturer, announced a $500 million
investment to establish a new plant in India,
aimed at producing a wide range of IT
hardware products.
Strategic Partnerships: Several global
IT hardware giants entered into strategic
partnerships
withIndiancompanies
to enhance their market presence. For
instance, Dell Technologies collaborated
with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) todevelop customized IT solutions for Indian
enterprises, leveraging Dell’s hardware
expertise and TCS’s software capabilities.
Technological Innovations: The

The Indian IT hardware market isevolving rapidly, fueled by rising digital
adoption, supportive government policies,
and increasing investments in manufacturing
capabilities. According to a report by
Nasscom, the Indian IT hardware market is
expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% to reach$10.3 billion by 2025. Key domestic trends
include Make in India initiatives, increased
demand for personal computing devices,
expansion of data centers, and focus on
cybersecurity hardware. The government’s
Make in India initiative aims to boost local
manufacturing of IT hardware, reducing
dependency on imports and creating jobs.
Incentives such as the Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme are attracting global
and domestic manufacturers to set up
production facilities in India.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated thedemand for personal computing devices asremote work and online education became

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August 2024 www.varindia.com

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
IN 2023

industry saw the introduction of cutting-edge
technologies, such as AI-powered hardware,advanced processors, and eco-friendly
products. Lenovo launched a new seriesof AI-integrated laptops designed to offer
enhanced performance and productivity forboth consumers and businesses.
PC
MarketThe Indian Traditional PC market,
encompassing desktops, notebooks, andworkstations, shipped 13.9 million units in
2023, marking a 6.6% year-over-year (YoY)
decline, according to the IDC Worldwide
Quarterly Personal Computing Device
Tracker. Despite this annual drop, the market
experienced a robust rebound in the second
half of the year, growing by 12.9% YoY, withthe fourth quarter alone witnessing an 11.4%
YoY increase. This recovery was driven by a
16.8% YoY rise in desktop shipments and a
9.9% YoY increase in notebook sales.

MARKET SEGMENTPERFORMANCE
Desktop,Notebook,
andWorkstation Trends
While the desktop category saw a 6.7%
YoY growth, notebooks and workstations
faced declines of 11.1% YoY and 14% YoY,
respectively. This reflects a shift in market
dynamics as the demand for different PC
types fluctuated throughout the year.
ConsumerandCommercial
Segments
In 2023, the consumer segment contracted
by 3.1% YoY, and the commercial segment
saw a more significant drop of 9.7% YoY
due to reduced enterprise demand. However,
the education and government sectors
thrived, expanding by 80.5% and 18% YoY,

respectively. Both segments showed marked
improvements in the fourth quarter, with
consumer and commercial segments growing
by 19.3% and 5.3% YoY.
Market Sentiments and Recovery
According to Bharath Shenoy, SeniorResearch Analyst at IDC India, “Low market
sentiments post-pandemic led to decreased
consumer demand, causing a steep shipment
correction in late 2022 and early 2023.
However, factors such as decisions on importregulations, improved market sentiment,
and aggressive vendor strategies facilitated amarket recovery in the latter half of 2023.
Despite the slight annual decline, the market
remained significantly above pre-COVID
shipment levels, indicating stability in the
consumer segment.”

KEY PLAYERS IN THE MARKETHP Inc.
HP Inc. dominated the market in 2023,
holding a 31.5% share. It led both thecommercial (33.6%) and consumer (29.4%)
segments. HP maintained its lead in desktops
and notebooks with 25.1% and 33.8% shares,
respectively. Strong demand in the educationand government sectors bolstered HP’scommercial performance, while festive sales
boosted its consumer segment. AlthoughHP’s consumer market share dipped in thethird quarter, it rebounded to 32.5% in the
fourth quarter, securing a total market shareof 32.6%.
LenovoLenovo ranked second with a 16.7%
market share in 2023 but faced a 17.8% YoY
decline in shipments, primarily due to a
slowdown in the SMB segment and limited
presence in government and education
sectors. Lenovo lost ground in the consumer
segment amid heightened competition during
festive sales but managed a 19.6% share in theenterprise segment, up 1.3 percentage points
from 2022. In the fourth quarter, Lenovo
held a 17.5% market share, trailing behind
Dell.
Dell Technologies
Dell Technologies secured third placewith a 15.5% market share, despite a 24.5%
YoY decline in 2023. It maintained its second
position in the commercial segment with a
20% share but ranked fourth in the consumer
segment at 10.8%. Delays in enterprise orders
significantly impacted Dell. However, in the
fourth quarter, Dell outperformed Lenovo,
achieving an 18.3% market share.
Acer Group
Acer Group held the fourth position witha 12.3% market share, growing by 16.1%
YoY in 2023. It was fourth in the commercial
segment (15.7%) and fifth in the consumer
segment (8.7%). Acer led the commercial
desktop category with a 29.6% share, driven
by strong traction in government andeducation sectors. In the fourth quarter, Acerreclaimed the fourth position from Asus with
a 14% market share.
Asus
Asus ranked fifth with a 7.9% market
share, marking an 8.6% YoY growth. It
held the second position in the consumer
segment (15.1%) and shipped over a million
units in this segment for the first time in
2023. However, Asus focused on inventory
correction in the fourth quarter, dropping to
fifth place behind Acer with a 3.5% market
share.

PRINTER MARKETThe Indian printer market in 2023
presented a mixed picture. While overall
shipment volumes witnessed a slight decline,
the market remained fiercely competitive
with established players vying for dominance.
According to 6Wresearch, India’s printermarket experienced a notable decline in Q4
2023, marking a 20.7% decrease comparedto Q3 2023. This decline can be attributed
to increasing smartphone penetration and ashift towards cloud-based document storage,
reducing the need for physical printing.
Despite the overall decline, the inkjet
printer segment saw modest growth, driven
by the affordability and multifunctionalityof printers (MFPs) that combine printing,scanning, and copying in a single device.
While the decline was nationwide, tier-2 andtier-3 cities exhibited relatively stable demandfor printers compared to metro areas, where
the shift towards digital alternatives wasmore pronounced.

KEY PLAYERS AND
MARKET SHARE

HP (Hewlett-Packard): Retaining
its market leader position, HP captured
approximately 36.2% market share in Q4
2023, according to 6Wresearch. HP’s diverse
product portfolio, ranging from budgetfriendly inkjet printers to high-performancelaser printers, catered to various consumer
segments.
Epson: Emerging as the fastest-growing
brand in Q4 2023, Epson saw a growth rate
exceeding 34% compared to the previous
quarter. Epson’s focus on affordable andefficient inkjet printers, particularly its
EcoTank series
known
for
high-yieldink
tanks, resonatedwell with costc o n s c i o u s
consumers,
achieving around31.1%
marketshare in Q4 2023.
C a n o n :Continuing as amajor player, Canon maintained a significant
market share, although specific data isunavailable. Canon’s wide range of inkjet
and laser printers, including high-end models,cater to professional printing needs.
Other Players: Brands like Brother,Samsung, and Ricoh also hold a presencein the Indian printer market, though theirmarket shares are considerably lower
compared to the top three players.

SHIPMENT VOLUMES AND
PRICE SEGMENTATION

While specific shipment volume data isn’t
readily available, the overall decline in market
size suggests a decrease in printer shipments
in 2023 compared to previous years.
The sub-20,000 INR (approx. USD 242)
segment dominated the market, capturing
over 61% of the market share in Q4 2023,
reflecting the continued preference forbudget-friendly inkjet printers in pricesensitive markets like India.
The 20,000 INR to 40,000 INR (approx.
USD 242 - USD 484) segment accounted
for approximately 30.3% of the market
share, catering to users requiring higher
performance or laser printing capabilities.
While the printer market faces challenges
due to the digital shift, it remains a significant
segment within the Indian IT landscape. By
adapting to evolving trends and consumer
preferences, printer manufacturers cancontinue to cater to the needs of a diverse
Indian market.
Storage
In 2023, India’s external storage market
witnessed significant shifts influenced by
global trends, technological advancements,and evolving enterprise demands. As
businesses increasingly embrace digitaltransformation, the demand for robust andscalable storage solutions has grown, despite
economic headwinds and global supply chain
disruptions.

MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH

According to IDC, the external storage
market in India registered a year-over-year(YoY) growth of 8.3% in 2023, reachinga market size of approximately USD 560
million. This growth is largely driven byincreased investments in IT infrastructureby sectors such as banking, financial services,
insurance (BFSI), telecommunications, and
IT/ITeS.

KEY TRENDS

Shift to Flash Storage: There has beena notable shift from traditional Hard Disk
Drives (HDDs) to Solid State Drives (SSDs),
with enterprises preferring flash storage forits speed, reliability, and energy efficiency.
Flash storage adoption grew by 12% YoY,
indicating a robust trend towards modern
storage solutions.
Cloud Integration: With the riseof hybrid cloud environments, there is a
growing demand for storage solutions thatseamlessly integrate with
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51

VAR SURVEY

Smartphone Market

A SLOW ROAD
TO RECOVERY
IN 2024

The Indian smartphone market, once a
growth juggernaut, navigated a challenging
course in 2023. The year began with sluggish
demand and a correction in shipment
numbers, only to be partially offset by astrong second half.
India’s smartphone market experienced
a tepid growth of 1% year-over-year (YoY)
in 2023, with a total of 146 million units
shipped, according to IDC’s Worldwide
Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. The
market showed resilience in the latter halfof the year, growing by 11% YoY in 2H23,
despite a significant 10% decline in the first
half. Notably, the fourth quarter saw a robust
26% YoY increase, driven by several newmodel launches and higher-than-expected
shipments.
This growth, however, comes amidst
a backdrop of consumer demand stress,
leading to excess inventory levels across sales
channels. Even with price corrections andvendor schemes, the average selling price(ASP) hit a record $255, marking a 14% YoY
increase.
This continues the trend of double-digit
ASP growth for the third consecutive year,
hindering the market’s recovery. The higher
ASP is attributed to an increased share ofpremium-segment smartphones ($600+),
rising from 6% in 2022 to 10% in 2023, anda surge in 5G smartph one shipments, which
now account for a record 55% of the market.

SHIFTING CHANNELDYNAMICS AND PRICESEGMENTS

Online channel shipments saw a 6%
decline in 2023, dropping to 49% of total

52

August 2024 www.varindia.com

shipments from 53% in 2022. Conversely,
offline channel shipments grew by 8% YoY,
reflecting vendors’ strategic retail expansion
into smaller towns and cities and offering
lucrative premium options.
In terms of price segments, the entrylevel (sub-$100) segment grew by 12% YoY,
capturing 20% of the market, up from 18%
in 2022. Xiaomi continued to dominate
this segment, followed by POCO andSamsung. The mass budget segment ($100$200), however, experienced a decline, with
its share dropping to 44% from 51%, a 12%
YoY decrease. Vivo, Realme, and Samsung
together accounted for 53% of the shipmentsin this segment.
The entry-premium segment ($200-$400)
remained flat at 21% market share, with
Vivo and OnePlus leading the charge. The
mid-premium segment ($400-$600) grewby 27% YoY, reaching a 5% share, with
OnePlus maintaining a 35% share, followed
by Samsung and Vivo.
The premium segment ($600-$800) saw a
23% growth, led by the iPhone 13, Galaxy
S23/S23 FE, and OnePlus 11. AlthoughApple’s share declined, Samsung’s share morethan doubled in this segment. The superpremium segment ($800+) registered thehighest growth at 86%, with its share risingfrom 4% to 7%. Apple led this segment with
a 68% share, followed by Samsung at 30%.

THE 5G REVOLUTION AND
FOLDABLE PHONES

In 2023, 79 million 5G smartphones wereshipped, with a notable increase in the mass
budget segment ($100-$200), which now
accounts for 35% of 5G shipments, up from

22% in 2022. The entry-premium segment($200-$400) continues to dominate with a
38% share, although down from 49% in 2022.
Top-shipped 5G models included Apple’s
iPhone 13 & 14, Samsung’s Galaxy A14,
Vivo’s T2x, and Xiaomi’s Redmi 12.
Foldable phones also saw significant
traction, with nearly a million units shippedin 2023, and a 4% decline in ASP to $1,236.
Samsung continued to lead the foldable
market, although its share dropped to 73% asother players like Motorola, Tecno, OnePlus,and OPPO entered the market.

BRAND PERFORMANCE AND
MARKET LEADERSHIPApple had a stellar year in India, shipping
9 million units despite having the highest
ASP at $940. This success was driven bystrong sales of previous-generation iPhone
models and a push for local manufacturing.
The iPhone 13 and 14 were among the top
five shipped models annually.
Samsung maintained its leadership
position in the market with a record high
ASP of $338, despite a 5% YoY shipment
decline. The Galaxy A14 was the highestshipped device of 2023. Vivo (excluding
iQOO) climbed to the second slot, withshipments and ASPs both growing by 8% and
9% respectively, making it the only brandamong the top five to register growth.
Realme, despite challenges in the earlypart of the year, secured the third position,
driven by affordable launches. Meanwhile,the feature phone market saw a resurgence,with 61 million units shipped, growing by
8% YoY.
While Samsung exited the feature phonesegment, Transsion continued to lead,followed by Lava, and the entry of Reliance
Jio’s new 4G feature phone fueled growth in
the second half of the year.
Indian Smartphone Manufacturing in
2023
India’ssmartphone
manufacturinglandscape has been evolving rapidly, withthe country positioning itself as a significant
player in the global supply chain. In 2023,
the Indian government’s Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme continued to attract
major investments from both domestic
and international players. This scheme,
designed to boost local manufacturing andreduce dependence on imports, has been
pivotal in transforming India into a global
manufacturing hub.
According to data from the India Cellular& Electronics Association (ICEA), local
production of smartphones in India reached
200 million units in 2023, a significant
increase from previous years. This surge islargely driven by global giants like Apple,
Samsung, and Xiaomi ramping up their local
production capabilities. Apple’s commitment
to India is particularly noteworthy, withthe company manufacturing a substantial
portion of its iPhone 13 and 14 models in the
country, reflecting its strategy to diversify its
supply chain away from China.
Samsung, another major player, expanded
its manufacturing facilities in Noida,solidifying its position as one of the largest
smartphone manufacturers in India. The
company’s focus on producing both budget
and premium models locally has helped it
maintain a strong market presence. Xiaomi
and other Chinese brands like Oppo andVivo have also significantly increased theirlocal manufacturing, contributing to theoverall growth in the sector.

MARKET OUTLOOK AND
FUTURE PROSPECTS

According to Navkendar Singh, AVP,
Client Devices Research at IDC India,
the road to recovery for the smartphonemarket in 2024 looks strained and elongated.
Concerns around income, inflationary
stress, price increases, and inventory levels
persist. The year 2023 focused on affordable
5G devices, timely price corrections, andoffline channel expansion by brands. Moving
forward, greater efforts will be required,especially at entry-level price points, to driveorganic growth.
IDC estimates a flat to low single-digit
annual growth in 2024, primarily driven
by upgraders in the $200-$400 segment,
supported by financing schemes, extended
warranties, and upgrade programs.

GLOBAL FACTORS AND
MARKET CHALLENGES

The global smartphone market has faced
several challenges, impacting the Indian
market as well. The COVID-19 pandemic
led to supply chain disruptions, which were
further exacerbated by geopolitical tensions
and semiconductor shortages. These factors
contributed to increased production costs
and delayed product launches, influencing
market dynamics globally and in India.
Additionally, inflationary pressures haveaffected consumer purchasing power, leading
to cautious spending behavior. Despite thesechallenges, the Indian market has shown
resilience, driven by a young and tech-savvy
population, increasing internet penetration,
and a growing preference for digital services.

CONCLUSION: NAVIGATING
THE PATH AHEAD

The Indian smartphone market stands at
a crucial juncture, balancing between growth
opportunities and persistent challenges.
While the market showed resilience in 2023,
the path to recovery in 2024 and beyond will
require strategic efforts from manufacturers
and retailers alike. Focusing on affordability,
enhancing offline presence, and leveraging
financing options will be key to unlocking
the market’s potential.
As the industry navigates these challenges,
the role of 5G, premium segments, andinnovative form factors like foldable phones
will be instrumental in shaping the future
landscape of India’s smartphone market. The
coming year will be pivotal in determining
how well the market adapts to these dynamics
and continues on its growth trajectory.

SMARTPHONE VENDORS MARKET SHARE 2023
Brands2022 Market Share2023 Market Share

Year-over-Year unit change

Samsung

18.10%

17.00%-5.30%

Vivo

14.10%

15.20%

8.20%

Realme14.50%

12.50%-12.90%

Xiaomi17.80%

12.40%-29.60%OPPO

11.90%

10.30%-12.20%

Apple

4.60%

6.40%

38.60%

OnePlus

4.10%

6.10%

48.70%

Poco

3.20%

4.90%

54.20%Infinix

2.30%

3.10%

39.80%

Tecno

2.40%

2.90%

19.90%

Others

7.00%

9.20%

33.00%

Total

100.00%100.00%0.80%

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53

GLOBAL NEWSMicrochip Technology Faces cyberattack

The recent cyberattack on Microchip Technology highlights theincreasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats.
Microchip Technology recently disclosed a cybersecurity
incident in a regulatory filing, revealing that the company detectedsuspicious activity on its IT systems on August 17, 2024. By August
19, it had confirmed that certain servers and business operations had
been disrupted, prompting immediate actions to isolate the affected
systems and shut down some operations. The company has brought
in external cybersecurity advisors to help investigate the breach.

As a result of the intrusion, several of Microchip’s manufacturing
facilities are operating below normal capacity, which has impacted
its ability to fulfill customer orders. Microchip is working to restore
its IT systems and resume normal business operations as quickly as
possible, though it remains uncertain whether the breach will havea material impact on the company’s financial condition, a key point
given SEC rules requiring disclosure of any material breach withinfour business days.
While the company has not provided extensive details about
the nature of the attack, the situation bears the hallmarks of aransomware attack, a common method used by cybercriminals to
disrupt operations and extort companies. No ransomware group
has yet claimed responsibility for the breach, but this could change
if negotiations between the attackers and the company break down,
as it is typical for such groups to wait before publicizing theirinvolvement.

Qualcomm Buys Sequans' 4G IoT Portfolio
Qualcomm has announced its intention to acquire the 4G IoT
portfolio of Sequans Communications, a French company specializing
in 4G and 5G semiconductor solutions for Internet of Things (IoT)
devices. The deal is valued at approximately $200 million.
On August 23, 2024, Sequans Communications, a French
semiconductor company, announced that it has entered into an
asset purchase agreement with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI),a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, to sell its 4G technology
portfolio. The deal, valued at $200 million, will be executed as an
all-cash transaction. This information was disclosed by Sequans in a
regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC).
It includes a range of chipsets and modules designed for lowpower, wide-area networks (LPWAN) and other IoT applications.
This acquisition is part of Qualcomm’s strategy to strengthen its
position in the IoT market.
By acquiring Sequans’ 4G IoT portfolio, Qualcomm aims toenhance its own IoT offerings, particularly in the areas of low-power,
wide-area connectivity. This acquisition will allow Qualcomm toexpand its product lineup and address the growing demand for IoT
solutions across various industries.
The transaction is expected to be completed following thecustomary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Qualcomm’s
acquisition of Sequans’ 4G IoT portfolio is likely to strengthen its
competitive position in the IoT market, enabling the company tooffer more comprehensive solutions to its customers.

SAP systems are increasingly
targeted by cybercriminals
SAP, one of the most widely used ERP systems, is now at aheightened risk of cyberattacks, as recent research indicates a sharp
increase in the exploitation of SAP application vulnerabilities byhackers. The report, conducted by Flashpoint and Onapsis, reveals
alarming trends, including a fivefold increase in ransomware incidents
targeting SAP systems since 2021.

Telegram Founder Arrested: Platform
Under Scrutiny for Criminal Use

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been arrested in France
as part of an investigation into allegations that the messaging app wasused for criminal activities. The arrest highlights the ongoing tension
between digital privacy and security.
Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris after his
private jet landed. Born in Russia and a French citizen since 2021,
Durov is renowned for creating Telegram, a messaging app celebrated
for its robust privacy features, including end-to-end encryption.
The investigation is centered around the use of Telegram forcriminal activities, which could involve anything from illegal content
to organized crime. The case underscores the broader debate between
ensuring user privacy and addressing security concerns.
French authorities are investigating whether Telegram's
moderation policies—or lack thereof—have enabled criminal activities,
including money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution ofillegal content such as child exploitation material.
Telegram is known for its strong encryption and commitment
to user privacy, which has been praised for protecting users fromsurveillance but criticized for potentially shielding illegal activities
from law enforcement scrutiny. Neither the French police, theInterior Ministry, nor Telegram has provided any official commentson the arrest or the ongoing investigation.
This situation underscores the complex challenges faced by techplatforms that operate at the intersection of privacy, security, and law
enforcement.

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August 2024 www.varindia.com

These attacks are primarily driven by the vulnerabilities in SAP
systems that have not been properly patched, making them easytargets for cybercriminals. A variety of ransomware gangs, including
notorious names like Conti, Quantum, LockBit, Blackcat, HIVE,
REvil, and Netwalker, are actively exploiting these weaknesses,
leading to significant breaches that compromise sensitive businessdata and disrupt operations.
What's particularly concerning is the emergence of state-sponsoredattacks targeting SAP systems. For instance, APT10, a group linked
to Chinese state interests, has been associated with such campaigns,
indicating that the threats are not just financially motivated but also
politically driven.
The research highlights a staggering 400% increase in attacks
directly compromising SAP-based data since 2021. Conversations
about SAP vulnerabilities on the open, deep, and dark web have surged
by 490% between 2021 and 2023, reflecting the growing interest andactivity among hackers. The price for remote code execution (RCE)
exploits targeting SAP applications has also skyrocketed, with somelisted for as much as $250,000, according to CrowdFence's updated
price list from April 2024.

Microsoft to host Cybersecurity Summit
following Crowdstrike outage

Following a faulty update from CrowdStrike that caused a
global IT outage last month, Microsoft will be holding a summit in
September to discuss steps to improve cybersecurity systems. The
conference marks the first big step by Microsoft to address the issues
that affected nearly 8.5 million Windows devices on July 19, anddisrupted operations across industries.
The event will be held on September 10 at Microsoft's
headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
"The CrowdStrike outage in July presents important lessons for
us to apply as an ecosystem," Microsoft said.
"We look forward to bringing our perspective to the discussions
with Microsoft and industry and government stakeholders on theneed for a more resilient ecosystem," a CrowdStrike spokesperson
said.
The outage has highlighted concerns that many organizations
lack effective contingency plans for dealing with failures in critical
IT systems or software. Analysts have pointed out that the incident
reveals the dangers of relying on a single vendor for comprehensive
security solutions.
Since the outage, CrowdStrike has seen its market value
decrease by approximately $9 billion and has faced lawsuits fromshareholders. These shareholders allege that the cybersecurity firm
misled them by failing to disclose how insufficient software testing
could lead to widespread disruptions.
Earlier this month, Delta Air Lines said it was pursuing legal
claims against CrowdStrike and Microsoft, after the outage caused
mass flight cancellations and cost the carrier at least $500 million.

Samsung's new monitor allows for
immersive 3D gaming without glasses

Apple, Nvidia in talks to invest in OpenAI
As part of a new fundraising round, Apple and Nvidia are reportedly
in talks to invest in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. If thisinvestment goes through, it could potentially value OpenAI at over$100 billion. This comes after news that Thrive Capital, a venture
capital firm, is planning to invest around $1 billion in OpenAI,leading the current fundraising efforts. Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest
investor, is also expected to participate in this new funding round.
OpenAI has become a key component of Apple's AI strategy. In
June, Apple rolled out OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, on its devices
through a program named "Apple Intelligence." Furthermore,
Apple is expected to take on an observer role on OpenAI’s board,underscoring the strengthening ties between the two companies.
It should be noted here that the specific amounts that Apple,
Nvidia, and Microsoft are planning to invest have not been disclosed.
OpenAI’s rising valuation is a result of the intense competitionin the AI sector, which intensified after the launch of ChatGPT inlate 2022. This launch spurred companies across various industries topour billions into AI technology to stay competitive.
Earlier this year, OpenAI was valued at $80 billion following atender offer led by Thrive Capital, where the firm sold existing shares.

Instagram to enable friend’s location tracking
and sharing of images and videos on maps
Trials for a new feature on Instagram that mimics Snapchat's Snap
Maps have begun. With the help of this creative tool, which Snapchat
first unveiled in 2017, users may post text and video updates on a map
according to where they are. Users can share the map with friends sothat they can see each other's updates simultaneously.

The Odyssey 3D, the newest model in Samsung's Odyssey
gaming monitor line, is scheduled for a global release later this yearthat can transform 2D images into a 3D experience without the needfor spectacles. With this function, users may quickly switch between
2D and 3D models according to their preferences. The new monitor
will be available in two sizes, 27-inch and 37-inch, both featuring a 4K
QLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 165Hz.
The Odyssey 3D’s innovative light field display (LFD) technology
creates lifelike 3D images from 2D content by using a lenticular lens1

on the front panel. Combined with Eye Tracking and View Mapping
technology, Odyssey 3D ensures an optimized 3D experience
without the need for separate 3D glasses. Eye Tracking monitors the
movement of both eyes using a built-in stereo camera, while View
Mapping continuously adjusts the image to enhance depth perception.
The Odyssey 3D can seamlessly switch between 2D and 3D
modes based on the user’s preference. Offered in 27” and 37” sizes,
it features a 4K resolution display, a rapid 1ms gray-to-gray (GTG)
response time and a high refresh rate of 165Hz, ensuring smooth anduninterrupted gameplay without any afterimages or interruptions.
Additionally, the Odyssey 3D comes with an ergonomic design
featuring a Height Adjustment Stand (HAS), tilt capabilities,
FreeSync Premium, one DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
The monitor was honored with the Best of Innovation award in the
Gaming & eSports category at CES 2024.

The key distinction between Instagram's version and Snap Maps
lies in their privacy settings.
Christine Pai, a spokesperson for Meta (Instagram's parent
company) said to a news source, that users must choose a "specificgroup of people" to share their location with. This could include"Close Friends or only followers they follow back."
In contrast, Snapchat permits public posts on Snap Maps.
Currently, Instagram's map feature is undergoing a "small test"
in select markets. The feature is opt-in and provides controls overlocation sharing. "As always, we are building this feature with safetyin mind," stated Pai.
However, she did not provide further details on whether fully
public sharing would be offered, or how long the posts would remain
visible.
The development of this map feature was first noticed in February
under the name "Friend Map." Recently, images of the feature in use
have started to emerge publicly.
Pai did not disclose where the facility is currently being tested.
This is not Instagram's first foray into map features. In 2012, it
launched a photo feature that placed all user images on a map but
discontinued it four years later due to low usage.

www.varindia.com August 2024

55

Eventus Security Shaping a Secure Digital Future
while Driving Innovation and ExcellenceWith a strong emphasis on innovation and customer-centric solutions, Eventus Security
delivers comprehensive managed services designed to protect critical assets and ensure theresilience of digital infrastructures. Committed to excellence, Eventus Security works closelywith clients to understand their unique challenges and craft tailored strategies that address their
specific security needs. In a chat with VARINDIA, MANISH CHASTA, CO-FOUNDER &CTO, EVENTUS SECURITY highlights the key security challenges, the role of AI & ML,
strategies for building resilient cybersecurity infrastructure etc.

Key security challenges
Manish feels India's cybersecurity
landscape in 2024 is grappling with several
critical challenges. Notably, ransomware
attacks have surged, placing India among the
top three countries most affected by suchattacks. Supply chain attacks, exemplified byincidents like SolarWinds and Kaseya, havealso become more frequent, underlining thesevere impact these malicious activities cancause. Manish emphasizes that the recent
CrowdStrike incident serves as a stark
reminder of the need for heightened vigilance.
As India positions itself as the epicenterof AI, security issues related to AI adoption
are emerging as significant challenges.
The rapid digital transformation acrosssectors and the proliferation of connected
devices have expanded the attack surface
for cybercriminals. This is compounded
by a shortage of skilled cybersecurity
professionals, making it difficult fororganizations to effectively manage andrespond to threats.
He points out, “In recent years, thecybersecurity landscape has evolved toaddress these challenges. There has been ashift towards more proactive and integrated
security approaches, with an emphasis on
continuous monitoring and real-time threat
detection. Emerging technologies like AI
and machine learning are increasingly being
leveraged to enhance threat intelligence
and automate response processes. Thisevolution reflects a growing recognition of
the need for dynamic and adaptive security
solutions to counter the ever-changing threat
environment. As India continues to lead in
AI innovation, ensuring robust cybersecurity
measures will be paramount in safeguarding
its digital future.”

The Role of AI and ML in Transforming
Cybersecurity
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI)and Machine Learning (ML) has significantly
transformed India's cybersecurity landscape.
According to Manish, AI has become adefault component in most cybersecurity
technologies, allowing organizations to

56

August 2024 www.varindia.com

process vast amounts of data more efficiently
and identify potential threats with greater
accuracy. By detecting unusual patterns andanomalies, AI and ML algorithms enable
faster and more precise threat detection andresponse.
Manish also highlights the role of AIdriven automation in reducing the burden
on cybersecurity teams. He says, “AI-driven
automation also reduces the burden on
cybersecurity teams by handling routine
tasks such as log analysis and incident
correlation, freeing up valuable resources formore strategic activities like threat hunting
and investigation. Furthermore, predictive
analytics powered by AI enhances security
measures by anticipating emerging threatsand providing proactive defense strategies.
These advancements have made India's
cybersecurity infrastructure more agile andresilient. The integration of AI and ML has
improved the nation's ability to respond to
evolving threats, ensuring a stronger andmore robust defense against cyberattacks.”

Strategies for Building Resilient
Cybersecurity Infrastructure
Eventus Security emphasizes theimportance of maintaining visibility acrossthe entire enterprise to effectively monitor
and secure network assets. “In the modern
perimeter-less enterprise landscape, where
identity has emerged as the new perimeter,
securing identity is crucial. This involves
implementing a robust strategy for identity
management,
includingcontinuous
monitoring, regular updates, and strong
authentication
measurestoprevent
unauthorized access.
Achieving comprehensive visibility into
all network activities and assets is essential
for identifying and mitigating potential
threats. Regularly identifying critical assets
and potential risks helps prioritize security
efforts and protect vital resources. Employing
Continuous Threat Exposure Management(CTEM) allows for a proactive approachin assessing and managing risks effectively,
ensuring that defenses remain robust andadaptive,” asserts Manish.

Contributing to the security ecosystem
Eventus Security has significantly
advanced the cybersecurity ecosystem byleveraging innovation and expertise toaddress critical industry challenges. Manish
comments, “Our proprietary AI-powered"Eventus Platform" is designed to reduce
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD), Mean Time
to Respond (MTTR), and Mean Time toPatch (MTTP), addressing key industry pain
points. This platform offers a centralized
solution that provides unified visibility andprotection against sophisticated cyber threats,
supporting managed SOC, managed XDR,
cyber resilience, ransomware emergency
response, incident response, and more.”

To Conclude
Reflecting on the future of Eventus
Security Manish shares, “Our mission is
to create a secure digital environment by
empowering enterprises, especially those
without in-house cybersecurity teams,
with our comprehensive managed services.
Eventus Security’s team, consisting of 80%
highly skilled professionals with expertise invarious cybersecurity domains, works closelywith customers to understand their uniquechallenges. By doing so, we craft tailoredsolutions that address these challenges
through our managed services.
What truly sets Eventus Security apart isour unwavering commitment to innovation,
excellence, and customer-centricity. Our
proactive approach is exemplified by Eventus
Security Threat Labs, where our teamcontinually analyzes emerging threats anddevelops preemptive defense strategies. At
Eventus Security, our vision is to continuallyadvance cybersecurity practices, creating aresilient ecosystem that adapts to the everevolving digital landscape. Through our
holistic approach, combining advanced
technology with human expertise, we strive
to set industry standards and enhance overallcybersecurity resilience.”

FACE TO FACE

IIIT Bangalore propelling India’s growth byfocusing on advanced communication
In a rapidly digitalizing world,
where advanced communication andcybersecurity are critical to national
progress, India is making strides toward
self-reliance through its National Mission
on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical
Systems (ICPS). At the forefront of thismission is Prof. Debabrata Das, Directorof IIIT-Bangalore, who leads pivotal
projects in advanced communication andcybersecurity. In a chat with VARINDIA,
Prof. Das shares insights into his work,
the challenges India faces in becoming
technologically self-reliant, and the futureof communication and cybersecurity.
PROF. DEBABRATA DASDIRECTOR OF IIIT-BANGALORE

What specific projects are you
leading, and why are they so crucial
for India’s technological future?
I am actively involved in the National
Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems (ICPS), focusing on
advanced communication. This mission,sponsored by the Department of Scienceand Technology, Government of India, isa national initiative aimed at accelerating
growth in 25 key areas critical for India’s
progress, with a strong emphasis on selfreliance. Our work is not just limited
to world-class research but extends todeveloping intellectual property rights(IPR) and products that can be used to makeIndia self-sufficient.
I am leading two major projects within
this mission. The first is the developmentof Open Radio Access Network (ORAN)
for 5G advanced technology. This is crucial
because, currently, only four companies
globally control the mobile base stations
we rely on for communication. These arecomplex systems that require extensive
manpower and advanced technology,
making them a significant security andfinancial concern. By developing indigenous
5G base stations, we aim to make India
less dependent on foreign technology andreduce the enormous costs associated with
importing these systems. We plan to begin
field trials by the end of this year or in thefirst quarter of 2025.
The
secondproject
involves
Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)

as part of the 6G technology landscape.
RIS technology will allow surfaces tointelligently
reflect
communication
signals, improving signal strength andquality for mobile phones, IoT devices,and other communication systems. This
innovation will enhance not just human-tohuman communication but also machineto-machine communication, which isincreasingly important in today’s connectedworld.

Given the growing concerns aboutcybersecurity, especially in a digitalage, how is India addressing thesechallenges?
Cybersecurity is indeed a significant
concern, especially as financial systems,
confidential
information,andevengovernance are now largely digital.
Cybercrime is an evolving threat, involving
highly sophisticated methods that make it abattle of wits between cybercriminals andcybersecurity experts. In India, extensive
research is being conducted to develop
innovative methods to protect against thesethreats. For instance, machine learning isbeing employed to enhance security, detect
potential threats, and trap cybercriminals.
However, vulnerabilities still exist, as seen
in recent incidents like the Microsoft Azure
hack. Protecting against cybercrime is acontinuous process that requires us to stay
two steps ahead of potential threats.

With data privacy being a major issue
globally, what steps should be taken
to ensure the privacy and security of

its citizens?
Data privacy is a critical issue, and while
countries like the United States and thosein Europe have established privacy laws,
India is still in the process of developing its
own. One of our significant contributions
to this area is the Modular Open Source
Identity Platform (MOSIP), which wedeveloped at IIIT Bangalore. MOSIP is an
open-source equivalent of Aadhaar, and it
is already being adopted by 23 countries asa means to manage identity while ensuring
data privacy. The idea is to give citizens
control over their own data. For example,
when opening a bank account, citizens
should be asked if they want to share theirdata only with the bank and not with any
third parties. This approach ensures thatprivacy is not just a checkbox but a realconsideration in every digital interaction.

What do you see as the future ofIndia’s technological advancements
in communication and cybersecurity?
The future is promising. As we move
forward with projects like ORAN and RIS,
we are setting the stage for India to becomea leader in advanced communication
technologies. On the cybersecurity
front, the continuous battle between
cybercriminals and security experts will
drive innovation and make our digital
infrastructure more robust. With theright policies, research, and technologicaladvancements, I believe India can become
a global leader in both communication andcybersecurity, ensuring a self-reliant andsecure digital future.

www.varindia.com August 2024

57

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Rajesh Nambiar to succeed
Debjani Ghosh as NASSCOM
President Designate

Nasscom has announced the appointmentof Rajesh Nambiar, as the Nasscom President
Designate, succeeding Debjani Ghosh, upon thecompletion of her term in November 2024.
Nambiar is an industry leader having worked
and led global teams at TCS, IBM, Ciena andCognizant He has been a member of the nasscom
Executive Council before being elected as Chairperson in 2023.
His leadership and strategic initiatives have been instrumental in
positioning India’s tech sector as a global leader.
Keshav R Murugesh, Past Chairperson, nasscom and Head,nasscom Search Committee, said, “We are delighted to welcome
Rajesh as the President Designate and thank Debjani Ghosh for her
phenomenal contribution to the industry. nasscom today stands on
the brink of a monumental digital transformation. Our primary focus
had been to identify an India evangelist who can not only sustain but
also accelerate this transformation.”

Sify Technologies appoints
Sharad Agarwal as CEO of
Sify Infinit Spaces Limited

Sify Technologies has announced theappointment of Sharad Agarwal as the Chief
Executive Officer of Sify Infinit Spaces Limited,
wholly owned subsidiary of Sify Technologies
Limited.
Sharad moves into this role on the strengthof his technopreneurship across several domains
like ecommerce, logistics, retail, Cloud and Data Center. An active
industry veteran, he comes equipped with a combination of sales andproject management skills that will help him expand the footprint
and acceptance of Sify’s data centers.
Prior to Sify, Sharad was at Vantage, where he was mandated tobuild their Data Center business. This was preceded by a long stint at
Amazon Web Services where he front-ended capacity delivery for an
APAC region.

HCLTech names Shiv
Walia as its CFO

Pure Storage welcomes Nupur
Mehta as Regional HR Director
HCLTech has announced that its Board of
Directors has appointed Shiv Walia as the Chief of Asia Pacific & Japan

Financial Officer of the Company with effectfrom Sep 6, 2024. Shiv Walia will be taking overfrom Prateek Aggarwal, who after serving in thisrole since Oct 1, 2018, has decided to step down
to pursue opportunities outside HCLTech.
Prateek will continue to be with HCLTech tillSep 6, 2024.
Shiv Walia started his professional career with HCL in 1993 andserved across several finance leadership roles over the last many years.
He is currently Corporate Vice President & Global Head of FP&A
and Business Finance Operations.
“Shiv Walia has been integral to our success over the last many
years. As a seasoned finance leader, he has played key roles across ourvarious geographies and businesses through multiple business cycles
and has extensive knowledge of HCLTech’ s businesses and clients,”
said C Vijayakumar, CEO & MD, HCL Tech. “His financial acumen,international experience and pragmatic approach will be invaluable
as we respond to technology shifts with speed and continue our
profitable growth journey over the coming years.”

Subha Tatavarti, Chief
Technology Officer ofWipro resigns

Wipro’s Chief Technology Officer Subha
Tatavarti has left her position. Effective August
16, 2024, at the end of business hours, Subha
Tatavarti will be leaving her position as Chief
Technology Officer.
"I am resigning from the post of CTO,
Wipro, effective August 16th. Good luck withyour journey," Tatavarti wrote in her resignation notice to Chief
Executive Officer Srinivas Pallia.
In March 2021, Tatavarti joined Wipro and operated out of the San
Francisco Bay Area. Prior to this, she headed Walmart Inc.’s product,
technology development and commercialization of enterpriseinfrastructure, besides security, data science and edge platforms.
She has an experience of more than two decades across productdevelopment, delivery, lifecycle management, cloud computing
services, data technology and analytics.

58

August 2024 www.varindia.com

Pure Storage appointed Nupur Mehta as
Regional HR Director, Asia Pacific & Japan.
Based in Singapore, Nupur will oversee HR
operations across Asia Pacific and Japan. She will
be responsible for fostering a powerful growthand learning environment that enables inclusion,
diversity and agility.
Nupur brings nearly two decades of HR experience, holding
global roles across both large-scale technology firms and scale ups.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as the region navigates acomplex HR landscape shaped by technological advancements,
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) imperatives, and the need for
future-ready talent. She excels in aligning business objectives withpeople strategy, driving organizational change, and managing scaleand complexity in high-growth environments. Before joining Pure
Storage, Nupur held pivotal roles at Amazon, Aon Consulting, and
HCL Technologies. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice Presidentof Human Resources at Nium, a global fintech company.

GoTo Reports a Shiftin its Executive
Leadership

GoTo has declared that its Chief
Marketing Officer, Peter Mahoney,
has assumed the position of Chief
Commercial Officer, managing
the company's marketing and sales initiatives. Furthermore, GoTo's
Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Nicholas
Asadorian has been named Interim Chief Financial Officer. With
their combined depth of experience, Mahoney and Asadorian will beable to infuse their responsibilities and the company as a whole witha new degree of operational efficiency.
In the newly created CCO role, Mahoney will continue to oversee
the company’s marketing efforts in addition to assuming leadershipof the sales organization, which was previously led by Bill Robinson,
the former Chief Revenue Officer. Asadorian will take over CFO
duties from CEO Rich Veldran, who had been acting as joint CEO
and CFO since his appointment to the lead executive role in January2024.

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www.varindia.com August 2024

59

RNI - NO 72399/1999

60

Reg. No: DL-SW-01/4030/24-26
Posted at LPC Delhi RMS Delhi - 110006

August 2024 www.varindia.com

60 pages including cover

Date of Posting 20 & 21
Date of Publishing / Printing: 18 & 19