REDEFINING THE ROLE OF SECURITY IN THE CORPORATE WORLD ANIL PURICMD, APS Group A first generation serial entrepreneur, thought leader and an action catalyzer rolled into one – Anil Puri is a rare combination of a visionary, an innovator and a strategic thinker. He has used this combination to innovate and implement on-ground many new business ideas. His rich experience in various businesses has enabled him to nurture & mentor innovative ideas and scale them up. “In a world of rising risks, security is the new RoI” Introduction In today’s volatile, unpredictable, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, corporations face a wide range of threats – cyber, physical, reputational, and geopolitical. Security, once considered a passive cost burden, is now being redefined as an active protector of profits, business continuity, and corporate reputation. With rising incidents of cyberattacks, insider threats, industrial sabotage, and disruptions caused by natural disasters and civil unrest, the role of corporate security has expanded from guarding gates to safeguarding value chains. It makes a bold move and great sense to transform the corporate mindset – from viewing security as a cost center to appreciating it as a strategic investment that protects profits, fuels resilience, and builds competitive advantage in the global market. “When security leads, losses retreat” 1.Understanding the Legacy Perception: Security as a Cost Center Security was traditionally viewed as a non-productive overhead. Historically, security was confined to physical guarding, with minimal alignment to strategic business goals. This perception relegated it to a cost on the profit and loss account without tangible contribution to revenue or growth. Security budgeting is often reactive and not outcome-linked. Corporate boards often allocate security budgets after an incident, making it reactive rather than preventive. There’s minimal linkage between security inputs and organizational outcomes or profitability. RoI of security investments is difficult to quantify. Unlike marketing or production where inputs and outputs can be directly measured, the returns from security (e.g., prevention of incidents, reputation protection etc.,) are intangible. This causes reluctance in investing significantly in security measures – poor integration with business strategy. In many organizations, security functions operate in silos without integration with operations, HR, finance, or IT, further weakening their strategic relevance and visibility. 2.Evolving Threat Landscape: A Paradigm Shift in Risk Perception “Every breach avoided is revenue protected – security is silent profitability“ Rise of hybrid and complex threats Modern threats are no longer isolated – cyber and physical threats now converge. For instance, a disgruntled insider can physically access a server room and launch a ransomware attack. This hybrid nature makes security far more strategic. Globalization and expanded risk perimeters Global supply chains, remote operations, and digital platforms mean that organizations now face risks from multiple geographies, jurisdictions, and threat actors – ranging from state-sponsored espionage to transnational crime networks. Political, economic, and environmental risks Geopolitical tensions, trade wars, climate-induced disasters, and pandemics like COVID-19 have demonstrated how non-traditional threats can cripple operations and cause massive financial losses. Regulatory tightening and compliance pressures From GDPR in Europe to India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and evolving ESG norms – security and privacy compliance have become core to business licensing, investor trust, and global market access. Increased accountability of C-suite and Boards Security breaches now result in reputational damage, legal scrutiny, and even removal of CXOs. Leadership is increasingly accountable for lapses in data protection, crisis management, and employee safety. “Security transforms from expense to asset the moment a threat is blocked” 3.Security as a Profit Protector: Strategic Reframing Loss prevention equals profit protection Security measures reduce theft, fraud, and operational disruptions – translating directly to cost savings and enhanced margins. Retail chains globally invest heavily in surveillance and analytics to prevent inventory loss (shrinkage). Security sustains business continuity and investor confidence A well-secured environment ensures minimal operational downtime during crises, assuring investors and clients of organizational resilience. For example, firms with robust Business Continuity Plans (BCP) performed better during the COVID-19 lockdown. Brand trust is rooted in security and compliance Customers, regulators, and stakeholders are more loyal to companies that protect their data, ensure safe workplaces, and comply with laws. A breach in security can wipe out years of brand building – as seen in high-profile data leaks. Security mitigates legal and regulatory penalties Failure to implement adequate security can lead to lawsuits, sanctions, and insurance claim denials. Proactive compliance with security standards (e.g., ISO 27001, ISO 18788) reduces liabilities. Cybersecurity is a competitive differentiator In sectors like BFSI, IT, and e-commerce, robust cyber defense systems enhance customer confidence, driving sales and global competitiveness. “No margin is safe without protection – security defends the bottom line” “In today’s volatile, unpredictable, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, corporations face a wide range of threats – cyber, physical, reputational, and geopolitical. Security, once considered a passive cost burden, is now being redefined as an active protector of profits, business continuity, and corporate reputation. With rising incidents of cyberattacks, insider threats, industrial sabotage, and disruptions caused by natural disasters and civil unrest, the role of corporate security has expanded from guarding gates to safeguarding value chains” 4.Case Studies: Global and Indian Examples Target Corporation, USA. A 2013 data breach led to 40 million customer credit card details being stolen. The company faced $200 million in losses and lost customer trust. Since then, they have invested heavily in cybersecurity, positioning themselves as an industry leader in retail security. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India TCS integrates information security within its project lifecycle, ensuring client data protection and compliance with global norms like GDPR. This has made it a preferred vendor for Fortune 500 clients. Taj Mumbai 26/ 11 Attack Response During the 2008 Mumbai attacks, security and hotel staff protected guests and facilitated emergency evacuation. Their preparedness became a global case study in disaster response and resilience. Amazon’s Security Architecture Amazon deploys AI-driven surveillance, warehouse robotics, and encrypted data architecture to ensure smooth operations even under peak demand. This contributes directly to customer satisfaction and profitability. “In today’s corporate battlefield, security…

Technological advancement has ushered in a new wave of innovation and efficiency – but it has also opened the door to vulnerabilities that cyber attackers are eager to exploit. With billions in damages and reputational costs at stake, businesses must evolve their security posture to match these emerging threats. As cybersecurity continues to evolve in 2025, organizations around the world will have to rethink their approach to protecting their most critical assets and operations. Here are five cybersecurity trends to watch in 2025 and beyond. Attacks on operational technology will increase No longer content to target IT, cyber attackers are increasingly taking aim at critical operational technology (OT) systems. Prominent examples like the Colonial Pipeline [i] and MGM Grand [ii] attacks demonstrate the way that threat actors are now more focused on completely shutting down facility operations instead of just stealing information. This shift shows how cybercriminals and state-sponsored groups are evolving their tactics to inflict a more direct, crippling impact on business operations globally. In 2025, protecting OT systems from these types of targeted, disruptive attacks will be a major cybersecurity challenge for industrial organizations. Cybersecurity regulation will intensify Globally, governments are recognizing the systemic risks posed by attacks and are taking a more active and collaborative role in driving cybersecurity best practices. This will significantly impact the way that organizations approach security. For instance, there are now regulations like the European Union’s NIS2 Directive [iii] that can hold executives personally liable if appropriate security measures are not implemented at their organizations. This will drive stronger collaboration among government and the C-suite, boards and cybersecurity leaders. As cybersecurity continues to evolve in 2025, organizations around the world will have to rethink their approach to protecting their most critical assets and operations. Here are five cybersecurity trends to watch in 2025 and beyond In the U.S., there are new SEC rules [iv] that require prompt reporting of cyberattacks to provide greater protection for investors. Meanwhile, Australia is set to implement stringent cyber regulations of its own through the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act [v] . Though SOCI was first enacted in 2018, the grace period for compliance ended in August 2024. This means that going forward, Australian organizations in critical infrastructure sectors will now be required to comply with this enforceable regulation or face potential fines. Overall, organizations across the globe will have to closely monitor evolving government regulations and align their security strategies accordingly to avoid penalties and reputational damage in the coming year. Asset visibility will improve In 2025, a key cybersecurity challenge for organizations, particularly building operators, will be gaining full visibility into the myriad connected assets on their networks. Many building owners struggle to identify all the connected devices, from security cameras to HVAC systems to access control panels, which make up their OT infrastructure. Without a clear understanding of their complete asset inventory, organizations are unable to effectively defend against threats. Attackers who gain access to unmonitored systems can disrupt critical building functions and cripple operations. Honeywell’s Cyber Insights is an OT-focused solution designed to help provide building operators with near real- time visibility into their full asset landscape. It delivers the comprehensive asset discovery and management that is essential for protecting OT environments in 2025 and beyond. AI’s role in security will grow In 2025, there will be greater reliance on AI-powered solutions to enhance cybersecurity capabilities. For example, in the building operations space, AI can be used to automate patch management and mitigate disruptions. Instead of simply deploying patches, AI can analyze the risks and impacts, and selectively apply patch updates in a way that minimizes downtime. AI is also enhancing security monitoring and incident response. For example, AI can help in analyzing log data to quickly identify true threats and prioritize the most critical issues. This allows organizations to eliminate false positives and respond to incidents faster and more effectively. OT security expertise will be in demand As cyberattacks are increasingly targeted at OT systems, organizations are recognizing the critical need for security teams to deeply understand OT infrastructure and its unique vulnerabilities. Traditional IT personnel often lack the specialized knowledge required to secure OT assets like HVAC, access control and building management systems. Going forward, security leaders must make sure that their teams can identify and mitigate risks across the full IT-OT convergence. This includes understanding OT communication protocols, equipment architectures and the potential cascading impacts of disruptions. Without comprehensive OT security expertise, organizations remain dangerously exposed to attacks that could cripple critical systems and operations Read more

Sudhakar Aruchamy Chief Technology OfficerEverestIMS Technologies Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another tech buzzword – it’s a runaway train barreling through the global technology landscape, tearing up the tracks of convention and leaving a trail of awe, disruption, and existential questions in its wake. In 2025, AI’s fingerprints are everywhere – from the networks humming beneath 5G cities to the autonomous drones delivering medical supplies in war-torn Ukraine, from the AI-crafted climate models guiding Pacific Island nations against rising seas to the deepfake controversies rocking democratic elections worldwide. This isn’t a quiet evolution – it’s a seismic shift, and the world is still scrambling to catch up. The Global AI Arms Race: Innovation Meets Chaos Start with the numbers – AI investment is forecast to approach $200 billion globally by 2025 (Goldman Sachs). Beijing’s state-backed push has birthed AI-driven surveillance systems so advanced they can predict social unrest by analyzing crowd behavior, while Silicon Valley’s tech giants – Google, Microsoft, and xAI – counter with models like Grok, Deepseek and Manus AI powering everything from chatbots to quantum computing simulations. Meanwhile, Europe’s AI Act, now in full swing, tries to rein in the chaos with strict ethical guidelines, but enforcement feels like a game of whack-a-mole against a flood of innovation. Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another tech buzzword – it’s a runaway train barreling through the global technology landscape, tearing up the tracks of convention and leaving a trail of awe, disruption, and existential questions in its wake In Africa, AI is a double-edged sword. Startups in Kenya are using it to optimize solar grids for off-grid villages, but the continent’s digital divide means many are left out of the AI boom – exacerbating inequality while others reap the benefits. Across the Middle East, AI-powered oil extraction algorithms are slashing costs for Saudi Aramco, but they’re also raising alarms about job losses in an already volatile region. This isn’t just tech; it’s geopolitics, economics, and culture colliding at warp speed. AI’s Tech-Space Makeover : From Networks to Creativity Dig deeper, and AI’s reshaping the tech stack itself. Take networks – like those powered by EverestIMS Technologies Infraon IMS, are using machine learning to predict failures, allocate bandwidth, and fend off cyber threats in real time. 5G’s rollout, now covering 60% of the globe, relies on AI to manage its insane data throughput, but it’s also creating new vulnerabilities – DDoS attacks doubled last year, with AI both the culprit and the cure. In the future, Infraon IMS will enhance its capabilities to drive self-optimizing systems, enabling intelligent automation and adaptive performance improvements. Then there’s the creative frontier. The 2024 Writers Guild strike over ‘AI replacement’ fears showed the human backlash brewing. In music, platforms like Suno use AI to generate chart-topping tracks, but artists like Billie Eilish are crying foul, accusing the tech of stealing soul. Meanwhile, in gaming, NVIDIA’s AI-driven DLSS 4.0 is rendering photorealistic worlds in real time, but it’s also sparking debates about accessibility – can every gamer afford the hardware to keep up? The Ethical Quagmire: AI’s Dark Mirror AI’s promise is intoxicating, but its shadow looms large. Deepfakes – once a niche trick – went mainstream in 2024, with AI-generated videos swaying elections in Brazil, and the U.S. The tech’s so convincing that even seasoned fact-checkers are stumped, eroding trust in digital media. In China, AI surveillance is tracking citizens’ every move, raising Orwellian alarms, while in the West, facial recognition controversies – like the U.K.’s scrapped live facial recognition trials – are forcing a reckoning over privacy versus security. Climate tech, too, is a mixed bag. AI models predicting sea level rise are saving lives in the Maldives, but their energy hunger – data centers now consume 4% of global electricity – is accelerating carbon emissions unless paired with renewable grids. And let’s not forget the jobs question – McKinsey predicts 800 million jobs could be automated by 2030, with AI-driven logistics and manufacturing already displacing workers in Detroit and Shenzhen. The tech boom is brilliant, but it’s also brutal. The Human-AI Frontier: Who’s in Control? What’s most mind-bending is how AI is forcing us to redefine ‘intelligence’ itself. In 2025, xAI’s Grok 3, Deepseek and Manus AI aren’t just answering questions – they are sparking philosophical debates, writing poetry, and even advising CEOs on strategy. But as AI creeps into decision-making – think AI judges in Estonia’s courts or AI doctors diagnosing patients in rural India – we’re grappling with a core question: Who’s in the driver’s seat? Humans or machines? Philosophers like Kate Crawford warn we’re sleepwalking into a ‘technological unconscious,’ where AI’s black-box algorithms make life-altering choices we can’t fully understand or audit. Yet, innovators like Demis Hassabis at DeepMind argue AI could solve humanity’s grand challenges –cancer, climate change, even interstellar travel – if we harness it right. The tension is palpable: AI’s a tool, a threat, and a mirror, reflecting our hopes and fears back at us. Start with the numbers – AI investment is forecast to approach $200 billion globally by 2025 (Goldman Sachs). Beijing’s state-backed push has birthed AI-driven surveillance systems so advanced they can predict social unrest by analyzing crowd behavior, while Silicon Valley’s tech giants – Google, Microsoft, and xAI – counter with models like Grok, Deepseek and Manus AI powering everything from chatbots to quantum computing simulations. Meanwhile, Europe’s AI Act, now in full swing, tries to rein in the chaos with strict ethical guidelines, but enforcement feels like a game of whack-a-mole against a flood of innovation. The Road Ahead: A Call to Shape the Future So, where does this leave us? AI’s not slowing down – it’s accelerating, reshaping tech, society, and our very notion of progress. In Japan, AI-powered robots are caring for an aging population, while in South Korea, AI-driven urban planning is reimagining Seoul’s skyline. But the stakes are sky-high – if we don’t address the ethical gaps, digital divides, and job disruptions, we risk a world where AI’s…