As businesses continue to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the importance of robust data protection measures has never been greater. While India has come a long way in this segment with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, there is a lot more to be done. On Data Privacy Day 2025, key industry leaders share their insights into the challenges and solutions for safeguarding sensitive information in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Role of AI in Amplifying Cyber Threats

Ripu Bajwa, Director of Sales and General Manager of Data Protection and Unstructured Data Solutions at Dell Technologies India, emphasizes that protecting data from malicious actors is paramount in the AI age: “Protecting data from malicious actors is more critical than ever in the AI age. AI can generate advanced ransomware, malware, and deepfake attacks, with threats like data poisoning, ransomware, privacy breaches, and social engineering becoming more common. As businesses rely more on data tools, the risk of sensitive information exposure increases, especially when AI systems depend on this data. A Dell Technologies report found that 45% of Indian businesses lack adequate security for generative AI. To stay ahead, companies need a robust cyber resiliency strategy, protecting AI training data, models, and configurations. Modern workloads like Kubernetes volumes and PostgreSQL also require safeguarding. The Dell Solution for AI Data Protection ensures the security and recoverability of data driving AI workloads, providing performance, efficiency, and scalability. Data Privacy Day serves as a reminder to prioritize personal information protection in an AI-driven world, adopt better data practices, and mitigate risks to ensure digital security.”
Data Privacy as a Business Imperative

Apurva Palnitkar, Senior Director of Marketing at GoDaddy India, underlines the critical role of data privacy in building trust and resilience, especially for small businesses: “In today’s digital economy, data privacy is a necessity for building customer trust and business resilience regardless of a business’ size. From customer email addresses to critical operational data, every piece of information holds immense value. According to GoDaddy’s data on cybersecurity, 54% of Indian small businesses have experienced an online security breach, with 29% reporting a significant impact to their operations. The risks of data breaches are not just financial; they can damage your reputation and customer relationships. Simple steps like training employees on security awareness, using SSL certificates, implementing strong encryption, and ensuring regular backups can help significantly reduce vulnerabilities. This Data Privacy Day 2025, we invite businesses to leverage GoDaddy’s AI-driven solutions to enhance security and optimize performance. By taking proactive steps to protect data privacy, businesses can create a robust digital infrastructure and operate with confidence, knowing their websites are secure and reliable.”
Resilience Against Relentless Threats

Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President and Managing Director of Veeam Software for India & SAARC, stresses that data privacy is not just about compliance but a cornerstone of trust: “As we observe Data Privacy Day, it is important to acknowledge that data privacy is not just a compliance issue, it is a fundamental pillar of trust. With rising cyber threats and the complexity of data environments, organizations must be vigilant in protecting sensitive data. Businesses, in particular, need to take a proactive approach to fortify their security systems and build resilience against the relentless wave of potential threats. The scale of cyber threats is staggering, with over 369 million security incidents detected across 8.44 million endpoints. This equates to 702 potential security threats every minute. In this environment, organizations must prioritize data resilience 365 days a year, implementing proactive measures such as data encryption, access controls and real-time tracking to detect vulnerabilities. Let’s use this day as a reminder to prioritize data protection, refine privacy practices, and cultivate a security-first mindset to safeguard sensitive information and stay ahead of the growing volume of cyber threats.”
Building a Future of Digital Trust

Anant Deshpande, Regional Vice President for India & ASEAN at DigiCert, highlights the escalating complexity of cyber threats, with businesses in India facing an average of 3,291 cyberattacks per week over the past six months: “In today’s digital landscape, securing sensitive data is essential for innovation and success. As cyber threats, especially in India, grow more complex—businesses faced an average of 3,291 cyberattacks per week in the last six months—organizations need comprehensive security at every level. DigiCert stands as a trusted partner, strengthening the foundation of Digital Trust for businesses of all sizes. Our mission is to help integrate future-ready security frameworks, empowering businesses to unlock their potential while ensuring data protection remains a top priority. With the rise of AI-driven attacks and the increase in Infostealer attacks, organizations must go beyond traditional defenses. On Data Privacy Day, we emphasize the importance of Digital Trust in fostering a secure, innovative future. DigiCert is committed to empowering businesses with advanced encryption technologies to ensure both growth and protection in the evolving digital world.”
Balancing Innovation and Privacy

Ranga Jagannath, Senior Director of Growth at Agora, emphasizes the need to integrate privacy into real-time engagement solutions: “As technologies like AI, IoT, and Real-Time Engagement redefine the way we interact, the volume of personal data being generated is enormous. While this volume of data promotes innovation, it also poses significant risks to individual privacy and security. The challenge today is not only about compliance but about building a digital ecosystem where privacy is an intrinsic part of every user connection. Businesses must adopt privacy-by-design principles, ensuring that data protection is an integral part of their solutions. This includes implementing secure APIs, end-to-end encryption, and adhering to the highest standards of transparency and user control. However, meeting these standards requires more than just regulatory compliance. It requires proactive measures to stay ahead of emerging threats and an unwavering commitment to privacy. Looking ahead, the key to a trusted digital world lies in balancing innovation with responsibility. As real-time engagement technologies continue to evolve, protecting privacy will be crucial for fostering trust and ensuring a safe, secure digital experience for all. At Agora, we are committed to building this future, where innovation and privacy go hand in hand, delivering seamless and secure digital interactions globally.”
Data as the Backbone of Trust

Vipul Valamjee, Head of Data Engineering at Altimetrik, states that data is both the foundation of innovation and the backbone of trust in the digital economy: “Data is not just the foundation of innovation but also the backbone of trust in today’s digital economy. In an interconnected world where every interaction and transaction contributes to the broader digital ecosystem, protecting personal information has evolved from a regulatory requirement to a moral responsibility. With the rise of technologies like AI, cloud computing, and IoT, the need for robust data protection has never been more critical. While these technologies open new possibilities, they also bring increased vulnerabilities. AI, for instance, is reshaping industries through predictive analytics and automation but raises critical concerns about data misuse and privacy breaches. Studies show that over 86% of consumers worry about cyber risks and the potential societal impacts of AI, including job security. These fears highlight the growing demand for organizations to implement stringent safeguards, adopt ethical practices, and ensure transparency in data management. Additionally, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act marks a significant step toward creating stronger privacy frameworks, giving individuals greater control over their data, and ensuring corporate accountability. However, regulations alone are not enough; meaningful change requires proactive action from businesses.Embedding privacy by design, implementing zero-trust architectures, and leveraging AI-driven protection tools are key to addressing emerging threats and building trust. At Altimetrik, we are committed to integrating privacy into every solution, ensuring that technology fosters progress without compromising security.”