Data Privacy Week: Empowerment Through Control

“In two more years, we will reach two decades since the ‘Data Protection Week’ campaign was launched. We have come a long way since 2006 when awareness about data among the public and the government was still foundational. While the regulations brought in European nations under GDPR have set precedence among other nations to set up a strong constitutional bill, India is close to passing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) which will help in data privacy and protection. This year’s theme of data privacy week – Take Control of Your Data- supports India’s initiative and the increasing awareness among people on controlling their data protection narrative. This theme is a spotlight on the efforts made by organizations, government and the public to ensure that data is not misused. The government, BFSI and the healthcare sector must communicate and educate the public/customers about the necessity of protecting the data and showcasing how they are working towards protecting the data they have collected. While we acknowledge that data will be the driving force for global growth irrespective of sector, it is only ethical to work towards avoiding long-lasting damages to the community by data theft and misuse. It is time we invest as much in data protection as we are investing in data utilization.” – Rajesh Thadhani, VP – Digital Transformation & Services, Crayon Software Experts India.

“Data Privacy Week is a measure to draw attention to the criticality of data privacy in today’s data-driven world. With people of all ages engaging on digital platforms, it’s crucial to raise awareness about safeguarding personal data and educate them on the risks of sharing information with unverified apps. Simultaneously, the Government of India’s initiative on the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) prompts organizations to revamp their data collection, privacy, and protection practices. This legislative intervention aims to bring the vast realm of data privacy and protection under legal oversight, providing a framework for safeguarding individuals’ data. Empowering individuals to Take Control of Their Data, this initiative ensures legal support in case of data misuse, establishing an ideal approach to fortify data privacy and protection efforts.” – Prashanth GJ, CEO, TechnoBind Solutions

“In our journey through the digital landscape, recognising the significance of our data takes centre stage. Data Privacy Week emerges as a pivotal reminder, urging individuals to regain dominion over their personal information in our increasingly interconnected world. Seizing control of one’s data transcends being merely a right; it is a solemn responsibility. Data Privacy Week impels us to become proactive guardians of our digital identities, echoing the sentiments of cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, who asserts, ‘Data is a liability. It’s a vulnerability. It’s a risk.’ Managing our data isn’t a one-time endeavour but an enduring commitment to safeguarding our digital autonomy against potential threats in the ever-evolving realm of data privacy.

In this era of interconnectivity, our data stands as a valuable asset, and asserting control over it becomes an empowering act. Data Privacy Week encourages us to reassess our digital habits, fortify privacy settings, and champion a culture of transparency. By taking charge of our data, we not only reclaim authority over our online narrative but also contribute to shaping a digital world where privacy is a fundamental right rather than a luxury. The impending Digital Personal Data Protection Act, set to be introduced by the Indian government, serves as evidence that data privacy and protection are no longer mere topics of discussion but essential verticals demanding focused attention and robust technological solutions.” – Gaurav Ranade, CTO, RAH Infotech

“On this Data Privacy Day, the call to bolster data privacy takes centre stage, urging organizations across India to seize the moment and fortify their data protection measures. The recent enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, serves as a significant milestone, solidifying the nation’s commitment to advancing data protection standards.

As regulations and frameworks continually evolve, and the value of data escalates alongside the pervasive integration of data-driven technologies, a proactive stance on identity security becomes imperative. We encourage organizations to prioritize formidable identity security controls and adhere to hygiene practices. Elevating employee training, harnessing the power of automation, and embracing Zero Trust solutions are pivotal components of this proactive approach. Through these measures, organizations not only mitigate risks but also safeguard customer trust, positioning themselves to thrive in a landscape where data reigns supreme as the new currency.” – Sumit Srivastava, Solutions Engineering Director – India, CyberArk

“Data Privacy Day assumes heightened significance across the globe, prompting organizations, individuals, and businesses to prioritize data protection and compliance with regulatory standards. This opportune moment calls for an elevation of privacy practices to meet higher standards.

The imperative of enhancing data privacy is underscored this Data Privacy Day, urging organizations in India to seize the opportunity to safeguard their data. The recent enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, further reinforces this commitment, representing a significant milestone in India’s data protection landscape. Addressing cross-sectoral concerns and incorporating insights from extensive public feedback, the DPDP Act, 2023, reflects the government’s commitment to robust personal data protection in the digital era.

With substantial volumes of data held by organizations, fuelled by the anticipated exponential growth from AI, machine learning (ML), and generative AI, relying on disparate data collection methods is no longer sufficient. In today’s digital landscape, a contemporary data privacy program in India must integrate data discovery and protection to enhance privacy and security postures. Modernizing these measures enables organizations to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, promote responsible data usage, reduce power consumption, and consequently reduce the carbon footprints associated with data management. Regaining control over data is the bedrock for building trust with investors, boards, business partners, and customers, especially amid stringent regulations and a complex security environment.” – Saurabh Saxena, Regional Vice President, India, OpenText

“As India asserts its position as a global technological hub, the cyber threat landscape looms large, with the country ranking among the top five globally for malware detections. This revelation, underscored in Trend Micro’s cybersecurity report, serves as an alarm for all businesses to take proactive measures to ensure a safe digital environment. One key area of concern is the escalating impact of cybersecurity on small businesses. Recent data from IBM Security’s report reveals that the cost of a data breach in India stood at ₹17.9 crore in 2023. This marks a significant 28% increase since 2020, sending shockwaves throughout the IT sector and the broader business landscape, particularly affecting small enterprises that may struggle to absorb such high costs.

 Hence, Investing in robust cybersecurity measures is a strategic imperative for businesses to thrive in this data-driven world. It’s time for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and protect what matters most—their data, their reputation, and their future. Ishan Technologies stands ready to lead in this cybersecurity evolution, safeguarding not just data but the very fabric of organizational resilience and future growth. The company’s tailored services advocate for an integrated approach, coupled with upskilling initiatives. At Ishan, we are steadfast in our commitment to shaping a secure digital future for India, where the ethos of security is deeply ingrained.” – Mr. Pinkesh Kotecha, MD and Chairman, Ishan Technologies

 “Amidst the evolving landscape of fintech, the rising fraud numbers highlight the vital link between customer trust and cybersecurity. The foundation of any financial institution rests on protecting sensitive information, and the surge in cyber threats calls for proactive measures. In 2020-21, the Home Ministry reported 2.62 lakh financial crimes. This number surged to 6.94 lakhs in 2022, per the Standing Committee on Finance report.

For fintech companies and any business focused on consumers, the key to success lies in the ability to anticipate potential security incidents and proactively address them.

At Ring, our strategy centers around a robust framework comprising strong encryption, advanced threat detection capabilities, and regular security assessments. We recently obtained SOC 2 and ISO certifications, highlighting our steadfast dedication to upholding the trust of our valued users. Beyond our extensive array of initiatives aimed at fraud protection and cybersecurity, we maintain a deep-seated commitment to safeguarding customer data and continue to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance. Placing customer data privacy as our utmost priority, we are committed to educating our users about best practices and empowering them to protect themselves against fraudulent activities. We leverage cutting-edge technology and maintain secure servers while continuously monitoring for potential threats. This comprehensive approach not only ensures alignment with regulatory standards but also fortifies the overall resilience of our systems.

India’s reputation as a fintech hub is not merely a reflection of individual corporate practices but the industry’s collective commitment to robust security measures and ethical conduct. In adherence to regulatory frameworks and industry best practices, Indian fintech companies also implement stringent internal controls. Regular security audits and compliance checks are conducted to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly. This proactive approach underscores our commitment to safeguarding the financial well-being of our users and the integrity of the industry.” – Mr. Karan Mehta, CTO, Ring

“In today’s world where ‘data is the new oil’ and shapes the core of digital businesses, there is an imperative for robust data privacy laws. The looming threat of data breaches, compliance mandates, cloud adoption requirements and rapidly changing threat landscape remain — creating the need for security to become more data centric.

As data becomes the foundation of everything we do, organizations must instill data privacy and protection deeply into their culture and ongoing operations to mirror these changes and rise. By incorporating a data-centric approach, any company that aims to thwart data theft and fortify their security posture should re-look at their data storage and usage within the framework of the new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023. Hence, adopting robust data security measures is not merely a task; it is a collective pursuit of fostering a secure and ethical digital environment.

In recognition of Data Privacy Day, it is critical to reflect and recognize data as the new currency of 2024. With the upcoming budget announcement, we hope that the government and policy makers focus on strengthening the data privacy laws in India, thus shifting towards a more data-centric approach for future preparedness.” – Vishal Gupta, Founder and CEO, Seclore

India takes a significant leap in digital privacy protection with the recent enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. This legislative milestone underscores the imperative for businesses to fortify security measures and embrace transparency, safeguarding the personal information of Indian citizens. The law mandates businesses to implement stringent security protocols to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Simultaneously, it prioritizes transparency, ensuring individuals are fully informed about the collection, handling, and preservation of their personal information, empowering them to make confident decisions about data sharing.

 Amid escalating cyber threats, businesses in India must proactively guard against data breaches to protect the sensitive information of their clients. Compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 goes beyond legal adherence; it signifies a commitment to fostering an online environment where security and privacy take precedence.Businesses adhering to these regulations not only uphold legal standards but also instill consumer confidence. As we observe Data Privacy Day, let’s recognize the pivotal role businesses play in shaping a digital ecosystem that prioritizes privacy and treats personal data with utmost care. – Manjunath Devaraja, Vice President , Cloud and Infra , Marlabs

“Data Privacy Day isn’t just about celebrating progress; it’s a stark reminder of the immense responsibility we shoulder as architects of the digital landscape. The data that fuels our world’s advancement demands a deep commitment to ethical use and unwavering protection – especially of the most fundamental right: individual privacy.

At Avaali, we understand innovation thrives not in a vacuum, but on a foundation of unyielding trust and data privacy. We don’t simply chase breakthroughs; we chase them hand-in-hand with transparency, ethical practices, and robust cybersecurity. Because in this hyper-connected era, trust is the currency of the digital realm. Let’s not be blinded by technological marvels. Data breaches and trust erosion are wake-up calls. Collaboration, not competition, is the path forward. Industry leaders, policymakers, and individuals must join forces to build a digital future fortified by impregnable data protection and unwavering respect for personal liberties.

Avaali pledges to be an active participant in this critical endeavour. We embrace Data Privacy Day not as a one-day event, but as a perpetual commitment to sculpting a future where innovation and privacy are not adversaries, but inseparable allies. Together, let’s forge a digital era defined by uncompromising integrity, profound respect, and enduring safeguards for the data that fuels our shared destiny.” – Srividya Kannan, Founder & CEO, Avaali Solutions

“As we observe Data Privacy Day, it’s crucial to recognize the transformative step India has taken with the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. This landmark legislation aligns with global standards like the GDPR, while also addressing unique aspects of the Indian context. It underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding personal data in the digital era, balancing the needs for individual privacy and technological advancement. The DPDP Act’s principles-based approach, offering clarity on data fiduciaries’ obligations and data subjects’ rights, is a significant move towards a more secure and privacy-conscious digital India.” – Amit Jaju, Senior MD, Ankura Consulting Group

“While governments around the globe push to enact data protection laws, Data Privacy Day cautions that today’s cybersecurity landscape poses one of the most significant threats to privacy. This is true for organizations of all sizes that are responsible for safeguarding important data in the face of innovative threat actors and an increasingly regulated environment. Protecting against data breaches is especially challenging today, when identity-based attacks are some of the most commonly employed and hardest to detect. In fact, 80% of cyber incidents involve the misuse of valid credentials to access an organization’s network. Identity is a critical threat vector that companies must address as they build their data privacy plans. This means that privacy compliance now requires defenders to pay attention to how adversaries infiltrate organizations and to assess whether they are prepared to defend against those types of attacks. This includes asking whether there is adequate visibility into security events, credentials, and data flows. 

Data Privacy Day is also a reminder that aligning privacy and cybersecurity strategies is especially critical as generative AI tools continue to span enterprises. With every ground-breaking technology, there are new opportunities and risks organizations must be aware of and should anticipate. Notably, responsible AI can be a game-changer in protecting data against breaches. However, AI that lacks privacy-by-design can introduce risk. In parallel with emerging regulations, it is imperative that organizations have visibility into the types of generative AI being introduced into their environments and an understanding of the use cases. Effective data protection today combines content with context to get a real-time understanding of what data – if any – is being shared with third-party entities and what protections are in place to prevent unauthorized data exposure.” – Drew Bagley, VP & Counsel Cyber Policy and Privacy, CrowdStrike

“Data privacy is every business’ top priority, as we move into an increasingly digital and connected world. This necessitates the need to protect our data from any potential cyber threats. Data Privacy Day is a reminder to pay attention towards safeguarding personal information in our interconnected digital lives. Need of the hour for organizations is to ensure effective cybersecurity measures are in place, as it’s becoming even more important in the times of digital transformation, cloud computing and remote work expansion. Organizations need to implement a holistic approach towards developing and implementing robust cyber security and data protection strategies.

With the continuous rise in cyber threats and organizations increasingly turning to public cloud solutions, hybrid working models and generative AI, the risk of cybersecurity has only heightened globally as well as in India. The recent Dell 2024 GDPI research report has spotlighted serious concerns on cybersecurity, where customers are worried about their existing data protection measures more than ever. As per the GDPI report, 64% of the organizations in India are confident against the data protection measures adopted by them to safeguard their existing data needs. Additionally, 27% of the organizations in India are adopting Zero trust strategy to safeguard their IT infrastructure.” – Ripu Bajwa, Director and General Manager, Data Protection Solutions, Dell Technologies India

“In the era of digital transformation, information is the currency of progress. In the current landscape, securing sensitive data is not merely a compliance measure but a strategic imperative for any organization. As we prepare to combat evolving cyber threats, DigiCert stands as a trusted partner for organizations of all sizes, fortifying the foundations of Digital Trust. We work towards integrating future-ready security frameworks for Indian businesses. We also highlight how the foundation of data protection is not just about safeguarding information; it is about empowering entities to unleash their full potential securely.

Data Privacy Day serves as a reminder of the paramount importance of Digital Trust. As we celebrate Data Privacy Day, let us recognize that Digital Trust is the cornerstone of progress. DigiCert, with its unwavering commitment to security, paves the way for Indian businesses to not just survive, but thrive in the digital realm. Embracing robust encryption and cutting-edge technologies, we propel businesses towards a future where innovation and security converge and serve as catalysts for an environment where digital trust becomes synonymous with progress.” – Anant Deshpande, DigiCert – Regional Vice President, India & SAARC

“In today’s data-driven business environment, the extensive dependence on data, along with its versatile and valuable applications, makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. 

In an era where adoption of advanced technologies like AI is on the rise, enterprises are grappling with concerns surrounding massive data collection, privacy, and security. Businesses, now more than ever, need to deploy data privacy tools to navigate these challenges effectively. And hence, data privacy is a crucial aspect for us when it comes to processes and product offerings – that is, both internally and externally. 

The need of the hour is a comprehensive and preventive approach to data privacy and data protection, including solutions that have built-in features that protect and secure primary data. All through data storage and management strategies, data privacy must be non-negotiable.” –  Shuja Mirza, Director of Solutions Engineering, NetApp India

“As we observe Data Privacy Day, it is imperative to reflect on the ever-growing importance of safeguarding sensitive information in our digital landscape. Currently, India ranks among the top three most targeted APAC countries for cybercrimes, with the prominent factor being the surge in Generative AI. A study conducted by PWC reveals that nearly half of the respondents fear the consequences of a cyber-attack, foreseeing potential losses in customer data and revenue. The increase in AI-powered cyber-attacks in India raises substantial concerns, highlighting the urgency for organizations to redirect their focus toward data governance and privacy.

In today’s era dominated by generative AI, integrating AI with data protection is imperative for solidifying cyber resiliency, and enabling faster and more precise threat detection. The objective of Data Privacy Day is twofold:  a reminder for organizations to embrace a more structured strategy regarding AI to counter new threats and for users to understand the power to protect personal data.

There’s no doubt privacy is not just a priority but a necessity. Effective data security serves as the bedrock of data privacy and leaders must recognize that security needs to be seamlessly integrated into every facet of their operations. As we navigate the digital landscape, let us collectively uphold a resilient architecture that extends visibility, ensuring that data privacy remains a steadfast commitment, safeguarding the trust of customers and the integrity of organizations.” – Balaji Rao, Area Vice President, India & SAARC, Commvault

“Data is the lifeblood of innovation and the key driver of transformative business strategies.  Commitment to harnessing the power of data goes hand in hand with ensuring data privacy. In the age of digital acceleration, where data fuels every decision, protecting the integrity and privacy of the customer information entrusted with enterprises is pivotal.

The surge in sophisticated data breaches and AI-powered cyber-attacks highlights the urgent need for comprehensive data security and privacy measures. As per a popular study, global consumers distrusting tech companies managing their personal data has risen to 48% in 2023. Organizations are bound by legal obligations and are responsible for fortifying defenses and implementing proactive strategies to protect sensitive data. Prioritizing stakeholder privacy is a central focus, realized through a comprehensive, proactive, and risk-based data privacy strategy.

The objective of Data Privacy Day encompasses two key aspects. It aims for every user to recognize their right and capability to safeguard and oversee their personal data. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of organizations understanding the reasons for safeguarding and securing their customers’ data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Achieving harmony between innovation and data protection demands collaborative efforts from industry stakeholders, policymakers, and an informed public.

Gartner foresees that by the end of 2024, 75% of the global population will fall under the umbrella of modern privacy regulations. Fundamental innovations such as edge computing, cloud security, the zero-trust security model, and AI governance empower individuals, acknowledging the critical balance between technological progress and individual privacy rights.

At Altimetrik, we recognize that responsible and ethical data practices not only safeguard individual privacy but also build the foundation for sustainable business success. We have pioneered initiatives to secure the digital realm through a holistic, user-friendly network architecture. As we navigate the evolving landscape of technology, AI plays a key role in unlocking new insights from data, driving efficiency, and fostering innovation. We approach AI with a vigilant eye on ethical considerations and data privacy. The company’s commitment to data security aligns seamlessly with the proposed Data Protection Bill of 2023, marking a significant stride toward a resilient digital infrastructure.” – Jayaprakash Nair, Senior Engineering Leader – Data Science, Altimetrik

“On Data Privacy Day 2024, Virtusa Corporation reinforces its commitment to data security and privacy, echoing this year’s theme, ‘Take Control of Your Data.’ As a leading digital solution provider, we know the challenges organizations are facing in safeguarding sensitive data amid the rising threat of cyber breaches. Underscoring the paramount importance of information protection, Virtusa navigates the dynamic digital landscape, enabling organizations to assert control over their data assets. Recognizing the complexity of data ecosystems, including cloud services and mobile devices, we address this challenge through our comprehensive solutions, prioritizing data protection to empower businesses in confidently navigating the digital realm. On this occasion, Virtusa extends best wishes to our valued partners and stakeholders for their commitment to a secure and privacy-centric Data Privacy Day.” – Ramaswamy P V, Chief Information Officer, Virtusa Corporation.

“On this Data Privacy Day, most conversations will revolve around the use of GenAI, AI governance, and how organizations can effectively build and integrate AI into their operations without violating individual privacy rights and regulatory obligations.  

 As businesses focus on AI development strategies, many still lack a defensible data management strategy with controls in place to restrict personal data usage and safeguard data minimisation requirements. Organizations continue to fail to address a critical first step: knowing what personal data they have and how it is being used. How do companies do this effectively and efficiently? Ironically, AI is also the answer, using machine learning and advanced analytics to detect and protect personal data and information that extends beyond traditional sources to new repositories and file types (e.g., audio, video, and image data). Moreover, AI and advanced analytics, including information retrieval and eDiscovery solutions, provide a path for success in optimizing key privacy processes – such as enabling companies to respond accurately and timely to key requirements such as subject rights requests (SRR).  

 2024 will be a record-breaking election year around the world (over 50 countries will hold general elections).  As a result, we may bear witness to a new geopolitical order that could complicate both AI strategy and policy as well as deployment considerations.  

Therefore, businesses should use this time wisely, focusing on tightening their data management strategy before embarking on their organizational AI mission.” – Andy Teichholz, Global Industry Strategist at OpenText

Today is celebrated as Data Privacy day, a day dedicated to make ourselves more aware of the importance of data and it usage. The theme this year is “Take Control of Your Data”.

The theme cannot be any more appropriate – where our world is getting more and more connected. And more of our data is out there in internet.  Think of it – where you go, what you do, what you eat, how much you sleep, where you vacation, how much you spend, even what you feel…everything is out there. What does all of this mean – it means that is easy for our identity to be hacked and misused. That is one danger…and there are many other ways it can be misused.

So let us be more aware of what data of ours is shared and try to take control of it as much possible. – Sunitha Chandrasekaran, Sr. Manager – Software Engineering, Sabre Bengaluru GCC

“As technology continues to advance, so do the tactics used by fraudsters, so organizations must constantly adapt and strengthen their fraud prevention measures. With the increasing amount of data being generated and shared globally, businesses need to prioritize data protection and invest in robust systems to safeguard against potential threats. Enterprises born in the digital age rely heavily on technology and data to drive their operations and deliver personalized experiences to customers. 

As they navigate the fast-changing landscape of cyber threats, these digital natives must prioritize data privacy to maintain trust and protect sensitive information. Adopting AI-based systems both enhances operational efficiency and enables enterprises to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time. This competitive advantage allows companies to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and safeguard their data from breaches and attacks. However, organizations must also put into place robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate the risks associated with AI implementation and prevent any unintended consequences that may arise from relying solely on automated systems. 

The use of vector databases with AI systems will also rise in importance as they provide further context to outputs generated by Large Language Models (LLMs) and therefore increase accuracy. By leveraging vector databases, Aerospike enables fraud detection systems to analyze data in high-dimensional spaces, allowing for more precise identification of fraudulent patterns at scale. This integration of LLMs and vector databases further strengthens the accuracy and effectiveness of fraud prevention algorithms, helping organizations stay one step ahead of evolving fraudulent activities. “ – Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President Asia Pacific and Japan, Aerospike

“In general, big data sets can be classified by the source of generation – people, business processes and machines. Data privacy challenges and governance revolve mostly around the first two categories. The people-originated data can be either voluntary such as social media, or can be mandatory in maintaining government records, health programs, visa processing etc. An example of business-originated data will be credit card transaction records.  

Every stage of data processing in an AI process comes with privacy implications from data collection, preparation and analysis. At the data collection stage, it is important to obtain the data ethically and legally. The real costs of responsible data processing are often more than what is passed on to initial data users. The next steps in data preparation should include depersonalization and encryption to protect sensitive information. When it comes to monitoring and evaluation, it is important to prioritize transparency and audibility to prevent potential bias and abuse.

Large language models (LLMs) and their APIs raise data privacy concerns. 71% of technology leaders believe generative AI poses new security risks. Strong access controls, data governance policies, information security principles, and ongoing monitoring can mitigate risks. Protecting data from misuse in AI systems is a collaborative effort, requiring the active participation of policymakers, companies and individuals This collaboration is essential to the twin goals of innovation balancing production in AI and protecting data privacy.” – Deepak Stephen, Head of Data Science, Acuity Knowledge Partners

“The number of daily internet users in constantly rising all over the world. The average amount of time spent on internet is also rising significantly. With every single click and digital activity, users are creating valuable data which is becoming an asset in digital economy. The digital footprints of users are now being used to influence their needs, choices and preferences. The targeted advertising based on users’ profiling has become a successful marketing tool but it has emerged as a serious challenge in democratic political systems due to formation of echo-chambers in social media platforms. Digital surveillance by public sector authorities in this regard has also emerged as a crucial concern all across the world.

Furthermore, due to the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence and machine learning in the last few years, data processed by algorithms is becoming a tool of power in global politics. The big-tech platforms now have the capacity to influence dominant values of art, literature, culture, morality and ethics in society. Concerns are also emerging on their capacity to control the public discourse by restricting the access to specific kind of information or providing counter information in excess. At the same time, dilemmas are emerging over digital sovereignty and data ownership specially in the global south.

Personal data protection concerns cannot be ignored anymore as the lack of legal mechanisms in this regard might cause threat to human and fundamental rights of citizens. Several incidents have occurred all across the world where data breach of sensitive data such as health and banking have caused substantial harm to users specially in the societies with lower digital literacy.

Since India is building wide-scale Aadhar based digital public infrastructure, we must focus on building high quality mechanisms to secure its data. The focus should also be on to develop appropriate digital awareness programmes for people” – Dr Aakansha Natani, Assistant Professor, Human Sciences Research Centre, IIIT Hyderabad

“In a dynamic technology landscape,  where emerging technologies such as GenAI are top of mind for global businesses, commanding control over enterprise data is a critical factor to steer the course of innovation with precision and responsibility. Establishing governance policies, articulating data ownership clearly, and fortifying with encryption become essential pillars in an enterprise. Data, in such transformative journeys, is no longer merely an asset, but the very fabric of our technological narrative.

At Mindsprint, we have a progressive approach towards technology adoption and offer Mindverse, a data-driven Gen-AI Platform that utilizes a secure and controlled environment for LLM-powered use cases, ensuring that a customer’s sensitive data remains protected while enabling the model to generate meaningful data-backed insights. We’re committed to providing fit-for-purpose solutions that not only cater to core technology requirements, but also have the key enablers to ensure this is done safely and securely.

We believe that securing digital environments requires systematic assessments, security by designs, and continuous cloud posture monitoring. Adopting these measures strengthens digital infrastructure with factual accuracy.” – Sagar P.V, Chief Technology Officer & Head – Technology & Innovation Group, Mindsprint.

“In an era where data emerges as an increasingly valuable asset and data privacy concerns gain prominence in India, it has become imperative for organizations to protect their data from cyberattacks, natural disasters, human error, or lapses in cybersecurity procedures. The unfortunate reality of data loss poses significant risks to an organization’s reputation and revenue. As per Veeam Data Protection Trends Report 2024, Data protection budgets are expected to grow by 6.6% in 2024.  Veeam recognizes the importance of data privacy and how crucial it is for organizations to safeguard their critical data, to ensure business continuity.

 On this Data Privacy Day, we reaffirm our commitment to providing robust solutions for data protection and ransomware recovery. Built on the principles of Data Security, Data Recovery, and Data Freedom, our Veeam Data Platform offers advanced features such as data security, malware detection, automated recovery, and hybrid cloud capabilities. These elements collectively empower businesses to operate seamlessly, even in the face of escalating challenges in data security and privacy, contributing to a more resilient and trustworthy digital landscape.” – Mr. Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President and Managing Director, India & SAARC, Veeam Software

“Last year was a rocketship year for AI innovation, and advancements are already reshaping industries and redefining the way businesses think and operate. The integration of AI into countless operational tasks has allowed businesses to make faster decisions, further automate processes, and better predict behavior with remarkable efficiency.

However, the rise of AI also raised inevitable questions around data privacy and made clear the need to safeguard sensitive information. As regulators rush to catch up with the pace of innovation, data privacy is high on the agenda for 2024 and businesses must be proactive to ensure they are not exposing sensitive or proprietary data to unnecessary risk via third party AI apps and integrations.

Fortunately, many data protection issues caused by AI use can also be solved with the help of AI. Businesses should start by mobilising AI and machine learning tools within their security stack to ensure data is protected across four areas: sensitive data categorisation, employee training, data loss prevention and threat detection.” – Neil Thacker, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) EMEA, Netskope