Varun Sachdeva, SVP & APAC Head, NLB Services
By Varun Sachdeva, SVP & APAC Head, NLB Services
As India’s digital economy grows, cybersecurity talent will decide how secure and resilient our future is. Investing in skilled professionals today is the only way businesses can protect themselves and build long-term digital trust.
India’s digital economy is expanding at record speed, from digital payments and e-commerce to cloud adoption across industries. But there’s a problem: we don’t have enough cybersecurity experts to protect these systems. India’s tech sector has the golden opportunity to lead global cybersecurity if it generates the right workforce. Currently, businesses struggle with training gaps, high turnover, and competition for skilled security experts. Success requires fresh approaches to finding and keeping cyber talent.
Cybersecurity has evolved from a technical consideration to a core business imperative for organizations and Global Capability Centers (GCCs). As it increasingly regulates confidential information, manages mission-critical IT infrastructure, and supports worldwide operations. They’ve now become natural targets for sophisticated cyber threats. Beyond simply protecting operations, their strong security frameworks build lasting client confidence and preserve hard-earned global reputations. Well-secured GCCs contribute significantly to India’s growing recognition as a trustworthy destination for technology expertise and innovation on the global stage.
Cybersecurity Talent: Next Big Priority
A new report shows a concerning spike in cyber-attacks, with Indian organizations encountering an average of 3,291 attacks every week over the last six months. Yet we have only 2 qualified security professionals for every 10 positions needed. The shortage is more pressing given new regulations like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, which requires stronger security measures. Major companies and start-ups are raising cybersecurity budgets, but struggling with the skill gaps. Even government initiatives under Digital India need thousands of security experts to safeguard public digital infrastructure.
This talent gap means fresh graduates and experienced IT professionals have a huge opportunity. With the right skills, they can access high-paying jobs in India or work remotely for global companies. For India Inc., developing cyber talent is about protecting our digital growth story.
For businesses, particularly Global Capability Centers (GCCs) handling global data and IT operations, cybersecurity talent is now essential. GCCs are responsible for protecting sensitive information, supporting international teams, and ensuring continuous services. A strong security workforce defends critical systems, prevents costly breaches, and improves India’s reputation as a trusted global technology hub.
This skills gap creates significant opportunities for new graduates and experienced IT professionals. With the right expertise, they can secure high-paying positions in India or work remotely for international companies. For India’s business sector, developing cybersecurity talent is crucial for protecting our digital growth and future.
In-demand Skills
The Indian cybersecurity market has shifted from basic network security to complex digital defense needs. Top companies across banking, IT services, and e-commerce sectors are actively seeking cloud security architects who understand AWS, Azure, and GCP security controls. With major data protection laws now active in India, professionals who know GRC frameworks and can handle compliance audits are getting premium offers.
Incident response skills have become crucial as Indian companies face sophisticated ransomware attacks. Security teams need people who can detect threats early and respond quickly. We’re seeing high demand for professionals who understand SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools and can build automated security monitoring systems.
The fintech boom has created a huge demand for application security experts. Now companies seek professionals who can secure payment systems and protect customer data. Knowledge of secure coding practices and the ability to conduct thorough security testing are must-have skills.
Interestingly, threat hunting has emerged as a specialized skill set. Organizations want professionals who can proactively search for hidden threats in their networks. This requires deep knowledge of attack patterns and experience with threat intelligence platforms.
Cyber Talent Growth
Through targeted programs and strategic partnerships, NLB is building a stronger cyber talent ecosystem in the country with a vetted talent pipeline creation coupled with providing upskilling and reskilling programs help IT professionals transition into cyber security roles, providing businesses with ready-to-contribute talent.
NLB partners with leading engineering colleges across the country to give students real-world experience through practical training, interactive workshops, and meaningful internships. In addition to that, recognizing the specific requirements of Global Capability Centers, NLB offers specialized workforce strategies to build strong internal cybersecurity teams.
Being a leading digital solutions provider, NLB works as a strategic ally for businesses. With deep insight into sector-specific security risks and developing tailored workforce solutions, NLB supports organizations in establishing lasting security capabilities instead of simply placing candidates.
Becoming a Cyber Talent Powerhouse
India stands uniquely positioned to become a global cybersecurity talent hub, backed by its massive IT workforce and revving digital growth. The current talent gaps, while challenging, offer significant opportunities for systematic development. Recent government initiatives to establish security training centers in tier-2 and 3 cities, combined with major IT firms investing in security labs and research facilities, show promising direction.
The rise of security start-ups adds another dimension, creating specialized roles and innovative approaches to talent development. Success requires sustained coordination between policymakers, businesses, and academia. However, the potential reward is a robust security workforce capable of protecting digital assets worldwide.
(Views expressed in the article are solely of the author.)
