Empowering Indian Enterprises: The Role of Localized Cloud Platforms in Data Sovereignty and Security
CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview withPiyush Somani – Founder, CMD and CEO – ESDS & President CCICI, ESDS
- The role of localized cloud platforms in ensuring greater data sovereignty and security for Indian enterprises?
It is at the threshold of a digital revolution, with the government’s vision of data sovereignty being translated into reality. Over 137 crore Indians have been afforded a digital identity through Aadhar, and more than 674 crore documents have been issued through DigiLocker, thus making it not only a regulatory requirement but a strategic imperative for the nation.
Therefore, localized cloud platforms become an essential element in ensuring data sovereignty and enhanced security for Indian enterprises. They ensure that the data stays local and help businesses comply with the Information Technology Act and emerging personal data protection laws. This way, sensitive data remains governed by Indian regulations rather than relying on foreign jurisdictions and the associated threats.
But they also are better placed to know the nuances of the domestic regulatory and business environment and, hence, can offer solutions tailored to the security needs of Indian industry, which may include higher encryption standards, secure access control, and adherence to local frameworks like the CERT-In guidelines. The risk of unauthorized access and third-party surveillance is also significantly diminished when Indian businesses store data onshore – a significant boost for data security and privacy.
- Indian Inc.’s increasing shift toward adopting Indian cloud platforms and data centers?
Massive transformation Indian Inc. is in the process of a new shift wherein local cloud platforms and data centers are emerging because of a few key factors. In 2024, the world market of cloud computing has crossed $1.2 trillion and is growing at a phenomenal CAGR of 19%. In other words, to this end, growth in remote work, digital transformation initiatives, and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices fuel demand for scalable, efficient, and cost-effective digital solutions.
Not to be overlooked within this new culture is the infrastructure of the cloud: data centers. There are more than 8,000 in total around the world, with hyperscale facilities accounting for 20% but containing over 60% of the server capacity. In 2024, the data center market totalled at $59.3 billion with a five-year CAGR of 11.5%, so it’s no wonder why robust, industry-leading data infrastructure remains so important.
India’s cloud providers have surfaced as aggressive players and have flexible pricing, better local support, and even better performance since it uses local data centers, which reduces latency and affords greater control over data, the critical factors for Indian business, especially in sectors like BFSI, healthcare, and governments dealing with sensitive information.
This shift works well with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by the Indian government, which promotes self-reliance and reduces dependence on foreign cloud providers. Following such solutions being well set as ideal because of their cost-effectiveness and compliance with national regulations, Indian enterprises are increasingly shifting to home-grown cloud platforms and data centers, taking advantage of tailored solutions and country-specific regulatory needs.
- An overview of ESDS’s AI strategy and how it is transforming your core verticals: Cybersecurity, Data Centers, and Cloud Solutions?
AI remains at the core of our strategy, leading the transformation for our key verticals—Cybersecurity, Data Centers, and Cloud Solutions. With the introduction of deep AI technologies in the mentioned domains, we are not only interested in improving operational efficiency but also innovating and making more secure, reliable, and intelligent solutions for our customers.
- Cybersecurity: In cyber security, AI plays an important role in detection, prevention, and response mechanisms. ESDS uses AI-driven systems to analyze vast amounts of data in real time, discovering anomalies and security threats much more quickly than most other systems. Our AI-driven security platforms automatically detect the patterns of activity that are unusual, providing rapid responses to cyber-attacks, phishing, and malware. This proactive approach reduces risks even as it ensures minimal false positives, hence generating overall better security for our clients.
- Data Centers: AI is revolutionizing the management and optimization of data centers at ESDS. Using predictive analytics and machine learning models, we now optimize power consumption, cooling, and resource usage in our data centers. AI has become a key enabler in the detection of predictive equipment failure and automatic preventive maintenance, minimizing downtime substantially. Service availability would then remain continuous, increasing efficiency and operational cost reductions for customers, while also making data centers more sustainable and reliable.
- Cloud Solutions: AI helps unlock cloud services with smart resource management and automation. ESDS uses AI for dynamic load balancing, capacity planning, and auto-scaling to fulfill customer needs with optimal resource utilization locked in the cloud. AI-based cloud services enable businesses to leverage machine learning, data analytics, and automation for faster digital transformation. From artificial intelligence in chatbots to intelligent analytics in businesses, our AI-enabled cloud platforms offer a treasure of innovation and simplification in business processes for businesses.
- Overview of ESDS’ AI strategy and the development of an AI-powered autonomous cloud platform
ESDS’s AI strategy is centered around the development of an AI-powered autonomous cloud platform that is poised to revolutionize cloud infrastructure management. It could give better automation, productivity, and scalability. In this, the platform will simplify the operations of the cloud and make it easy for customers to work with it. The features of smart workload management, real-time optimization, and predictive analytics are already there in the platform. This enables the customer to focus more on core business and avoid issues related to IT complexities. This platform can self-correct itself, meaning less downtime, less expense, and faster resolution. This will increase overall productivity and leave the customers happy.
This new concept can take the cloud industry into an era of smart infrastructure. It brings new standards of self-running operations. With reduced human intervention in cloud management, ESDS is designing safer, effective, and greener cloud environments. The AI-powered platform not only makes operations more productive but also resonates with the worldwide shift toward going digital. This puts ESDS at the forefront of the next wave of cloud infrastructure management.
- How is AI enhancing ESDS’s cybersecurity offerings, particularly in threat detection and mitigation?
AI is significantly enhancing ESDS’s threat detection and mitigation capabilities in securing the network. Machine learning and AI-driven analytics allow us to detect and respond to threats faster and with higher accuracy than traditional methods.
- Real-time Threat Detection: AI is used to analyze real-time network data and understands historical and current threats to alert early anomalies in time, which leads to cutting the time taken to identify and prevent attacks such as ransomware.
- Proactive Threat Mitigation: Our AI systems respond immediately to threats by isolating systems, neutralizing malware, and minimizing human intervention. The AI threat intelligence is updated constantly to keep pace with the latest attack vectors.
- Reducing False Positives: AI eliminates false alarms and alerts the analysts only concerning potential and actual threats, keeping them focused only on the critical incidents and improves efficiency.
- Advanced Behavioral Analysis: As an example, AI-based behavior analysis will track anomalous activity and flag those insider threats or advanced persistent threats even in the absence of matching known attack patterns.
- The role of AI in predictive analytics for cybersecurity, and how ESDS is helping enterprises stay ahead of emerging threats?
AI is revolutionizing the way predictive analytics work in the stream of cybersecurity, allowing businesses to predict and mitigate attacks before they come around. We, at ESDS, are using analytics that have AI at their core to help the enterprise stay one step ahead of emerging threats.
- Threat Prediction and Proactive Defense: AI examines the pattern of past data, threat intelligence, and attacks, thereby predicting weaknesses, so we can be equipped to react proactively against the emerging threats like malware and phishing.
- Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Our AI models self-upgrade through new threat data, so our solutions will always be evolving and ahead of new attacks.
- Anomaly Detection and Behavioral Analysis: Our AI can differentiate anomalies in network traffic and user behavior, flagging an insider or threats being part of an advanced attack that does not follow known patterns of occurring.
- Customized Threat Intelligence for Enterprises: We offer businesses industry-specific and region-specific risk-focused threat intelligence to help prioritize their resources and optimize their strategy on security.
- Faster Response Times: AI predicts potential threats, enabling the possible to respond much faster by automatically patching and isolating the system than between detection and action.
- How Indianized cybersecurity strategies differ from global approaches in terms of data governance and regulation compliance?
Indianized cybersecurity strategies are thus different from those developed globally due to domestic data governance laws, regulatory requirements, and regional challenges. This is through the strategic address of local regulations and a unique threat landscape that Indian enterprises would face.
- Data Sovereignty and Local Regulations: Among other differences, key emphasis can be placed on data sovereignty under laws like the DPDP Act. In this light of regulation, Indian strategies just store data within the borders of India using localized cloud platforms and domestic data centers.
- Compliance with Indian Regulations: Indian cyber security is customized in accordance with the local regulations such as IT Act and RBI guidelines. Instead of using widely known frameworks, Indian strategies rely on data residency, user consent, and timely breach reporting, and thus keeps in full compliance with safeguarding the data.
- CERT-In Guidelines and Incident Reporting: The Indian CERT-In requires reporting for certain incidents within 6 hours, whereas global norms apply much different standards. In such strategies, quick incident responses and coordination with the regulatory authorities of India must comply with those timelines.
- Localized Threat Intelligence: The Indian strategies are region-specific threats. They respond to vulnerabilities unique to the landscape of the Indian vernaculars, such as localized social engineering attacks. Such local intelligence enhances the defenses against threats targeting enterprises in India.
- Cultural and Resource Considerations: Cybersecurity in India is also calibrated according to a local business culture and limited resources, especially in the case of SMEs. The Indian strategies, therefore, are on cost-effective, scalable and flexible solution solutions that fit the local needs so that the businesses can hold very strong security postures without breaking the bank.
- How ESDS is supporting both private enterprises and government initiatives in adopting AI-powered, localized cloud solutions?
ESDS is playing a pivotal role in supporting both private enterprises and government initiatives in adopting AI-powered, localized cloud solutions tailored to their unique requirements.
- Supporting Private Enterprises: ESDS provides AI-based cloud platforms for the flawless performance of operations, enhanced security, and innovation for private enterprises. Our local cloud services are compliant with the laws related to data residency in India, which helps organisations maintain control over sensitive data in the subcontinent. Besides this, our solutions use AI to provide intelligent scaling, predictive analytics, and automation to enhance business efficiency and cost competitiveness.
- Supporting Government Initiatives: ESDS also supports government initiatives like Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat by providing secure, AI-powered cloud platforms for e-governance and smart city projects. We collaborate with government agencies to develop tailored solutions that streamline service delivery, improve resource management, and enhance citizen engagement.
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Dedicated to democratizing access to technology, it offers managed services and 24×7 support to allow AI and cloud solutions for any organization, be it small or big, even government department whatsoever resource-starved.