Cybersecurity measures: Indian businesses need to sync their cybersecurity budgets with their growth strategies to ensure sustainable expansion amid increasing digitalisation and associated risks, according to Adrian Hia, Managing Director for APAC at Kaspersky.
Hia stressed that adopting next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and GenAI is essential for businesses to drive business growth. “To grow businesses, they need to be digitised. Without digitisation, business growth is unlikely to be achieved,” Hia told PTI.
However, as businesses go digital, their exposure to cyber threats increases, widening the potential attack surface and increasing the risk of sophisticated cyberattacks. Hia warned that if Indian companies are aiming for 20 per cent growth, they should also consider a 20 per cent increase in their cybersecurity budget to prepare for these evolving threats.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining robust systems and data protection measures as organisations undergo digital transformation.
Increased digitalization
Rising digitalisation has led to a rise in cyber threats in India. According to a recent report by SonicWall, malware attacks in the country increased by 11 percent in 2024, reaching 13,44,566 incidents compared to 12,13,528 in the previous year. Kaspersky also noted that in 2023, ransomware was responsible for one in three reported cyber incidents in India, and brute force or targeted attacks are on the rise.
Hia attributed the growing number of cyberattacks to the huge amount of data exposed online, which has increased almost tenfold due to apps and web server data. He noted that the widespread use of smartphones in India, where many people own more than one device, has significantly expanded the attack surface, with data from more than 3 billion smartphones now vulnerable.
Despite these risks, businesses are forced to adopt advanced technologies to remain competitive in the race for modernization and growth. Hia described artificial intelligence as a “double-edged sword,” noting that while it offers significant business advantages, it also poses risks related to data exposure.
Recognizing the rapid adoption of technology and the associated risks, the Indian government is also taking steps to address cybersecurity challenges.
(With PTI inputs)
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