AHEAD Empowering Digital India by Committing to Robust Cybersecurity and Innovation

AHEAD distinguishes itself through its client-obsession, focusing not just on technology but on delivering tangible, sustained business outcomes. Through the integration of extensive knowledge from top IT ecosystems and a vendor-neutral methodology, AHEAD creates customised digital solutions that promote creativity, bolster security, and facilitate smooth cloud transitions that are adapted to the specific requirements of every customer. In a chat with VARINDIA, Saurabh Bishnoi, Director- Business Applications, AHEAD delves deep about the recent cybersecurity landscape, cybersecurity laws, customer experience etc.

Evolving cybersecurity landscape
In 2024, India stands at a crucial juncture in its cybersecurity journey. The nation faces significant challenges, with cloud-related threats at 52%, attacks on connected devices at 45%, hack-and-leak operations at 36%, and software supply-chain compromises at 35%.

"India faces sophisticated threats, including cybercriminal activities and state-sponsored attacks," says Saurabh Bishnoi. The rapid digital transformation across e-commerce, fintech, and e-governance has introduced new vulnerabilities. The surge in digital payment systems and IoT devices has compounded these challenges. Additionally, data privacy concerns are paramount due to the massive collection of personal data.

He also points out, “AI has emerged as a double-edged sword, enhancing threat detection but also enabling sophisticated attacks. There is a significant cybersecurity skills gap, requiring enhanced education and training. It is also challenging to ensure compliance with diverse regulations and mitigate risks across sectors.”

Strengthening Cybersecurity Laws
Saurabh feels India's approach to cybersecurity laws is evolving to align with global standards while addressing unique challenges.
Legislative Framework: India is developing a robust legislative framework, including the proposed Personal Data Protection Bill, which aims to align with the EU's GDPR.
Cybersecurity Regulations: The RBI has issued cybersecurity guidelines for banks, drawing from global best practices like those of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the Financial Stability Board.
Cybercrime Legislation: The Information Technology Act, 2000, with amendments, addresses cybercrime and electronic transactions, aligning with international conventions such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. However, updates are needed to combat emerging threats effectively.
International Cooperation: India participates in international forums and initiatives like the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) to promote cybersecurity cooperation and align with global standards.
Challenges and Progress: Implementation challenges include resource constraints and technological complexities. Nonetheless, progress has been made in raising awareness, investing in cyber infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships.
Data Privacy and Security: India's focus on data privacy and security aligns with global trends towards stricter regulations, balancing national security with privacy rights through data localization and cross-border data transfer policies.
Emerging Technologies: India is exploring regulations for AI, blockchain, and IoT, aiming to foster innovation while mitigating cybersecurity risks.

 
To enhance customer experience
AHEAD builds and manages digital platforms for top organizations worldwide, enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. Our USPs are as follows.
Cloud Platforms: We manage public cloud migrations, cloud-native applications, FinOps, and security, seamlessly integrating with on-prem environments.
Digital Engineering: Our approach combines culture, tools, and processes to continuously deliver software innovation while reducing complexity.
Data and Analytics: We unlock data value to improve customer experiences and generate new revenue streams.
Next-Gen Data Centre: We scale infrastructure to meet performance, availability, and reliability needs.
Enterprise Automation: We apply automation to reduce costs and eliminate waste, allowing clients to focus on value-driven activities.
Integrated Security: We embed security into every aspect of IT, acting as a guardrail that enables faster business operations.

AHEAD as Key Differentiators
While talking about AHEAD as the  key differentiator in the industry  Bishnoi elaborates, “What sets AHEAD apart in delivering successful outcomes for its clients is our client-obsession. We do not pursue technology for its own sake; instead, we focus on delivering material, defensible, and sustained business results. We strive to make a lasting impact on those we work for and with. Whether our clients prioritize innovation, security, cost savings, flexibility, or speed, we are uniquely positioned to propel them forward and achieve their goals."

To Conclude
AHEAD equips clients with prioritized and actionable cybersecurity strategies based on their specific needs and challenges. Bishnoi asserts, “We empower clients to be proactive in their cybersecurity posture, ultimately enabling the business to be less distracted by security concerns with a renewed focus on growth. Some of the core Security Solutions that we work on:
Security Strategy – We take a holistic approach to securing all aspects of the business environment that safely allows our customers to move faster.
Governance & Compliance – We align customer’s security environment to their business goals and best standards and practices through assessments and process optimization.
Identity Access Management – We manage user account additions, changes, and removals for enterprise-wide applications leveraging identity management tools and automation.
Zero Trust Architecture – We implement a network and application security model that allows access only to required services and nothing else.
Ahead Ransomware Health Check – With a 3-tier approach of Innovation, Intelligence & Agility, our resiliency health checks ensure end-to-end ransomware protection empowering customers to shift focus on business expansion.”