India’s Cybersecurity gap Compared To Israel in cybersecurity has become a significant concern as the country’s robust and innovative cybersecurity ecosystem thrives. Google’s recent $32 billion acquisition of Israeli cloud security company Wiz highlights Israel’s considerable advantage in cybersecurity. Despite similar security challenges, India lags far behind, lacking globally recognized cybersecurity companies. This gap is mainly due to the Indian government’s preference for experienced foreign companies and limited support for local startups.
The Achievement Story of Wiz and Israel’s Cybersecurity Edge
Founded in 2020, Wiz quickly became the go-to company in cloud cybersecurity, strengthening Google’s position in cloud services, surpassing Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure. The acquisition marks another success for Israeli cybersecurity companies known for their global influence.
India and Israel face similar national security challenges, including hostile neighbours and the need to protect critical technology assets. However, unlike Israel, India does not have a cybersecurity giant like Wiz or the established Check Point Software Skills.
Why is Israel Shining While India Falls Behind?
Israel’s cybersecurity bionetwork has changed into one of the most advanced in the world through strategic initiatives and cultural factors.
- Integration with the Defence Ecosystem: Israel’s military method to cybersecurity has fostered a unique synergy among defence requirements and technological advancement. The Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) Unit 8200 is known for its advanced cyber intelligence and serves as a fertile ground for future cybersecurity entrepreneurs.
- Government Support and Funding: The Israeli administration vigorously ropes cybersecurity startups through initiatives like the Israel Invention Authority and CyberSpark, a cybersecurity invention hub. This public-private company model has facilitated significant funding and fostered international collaboration.
- Cybersecurity Clusters: Israel has established specialised cybersecurity clusters, such as the one in Beersheba, where academia, startups, and defence authorities collaborate. These bunches foster innovation through knowledge sharing and pooling of resources.
- Culture of Innovation: Israel’s tech ecosystem is built on a problem-solving mindset, where failures are viewed as steps toward success. This cultural approach promotes rapid prototyping and iterative product development, resulting in shorter invention cycles.
The answer lies in Israel’s complete approach to developing cybersecurity talent:
- Early Education: Cybersecurity is taught in schools from an early age, fostering a culture of innovation.
- Strategic Recruitment: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) identifies and recruits talented individuals during mandatory military service, integrating them into cyber defence units.
- Practical Application: Cybersecurity tools are rigorously tested in real-world defence environments, proving their effectiveness.
India’s Evolving Cybersecurity Scenario
India’s Cybersecurity landscape in India is evolving, albeit at a slower pace. The country’s huge IT industry and growing digital adoption have made cybersecurity a key focus. Government initiatives such as the Nationwide Cyber Security Policy and the Nationwide Cyber Security Strategy aim to make a secure and resilient cyberspace.
Enlightening institutions are gradually introducing cybersecurity courses, and organisations such as CERT-In actively monitor and respond to cybersecurity incidents. Indian IT hubs such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune are seeing a rise in cybersecurity startups specialising in threat intelligence, data protection, and endpoint security.
Government and Industry. Efforts to Strengthen Cybersecurity
The Government of India has been actively recognising the importance of cybersecurity, especially in the face of the increasing sophistication and prevalence of cyber threats. One of the major initiatives has been establishing the National Critical Information Substructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), which aims to protect critical information infrastructure in sectors such as banking, defence, energy and telecom.
The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has too launched the Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative to raise awareness on cybersecurity among government officials and stakeholders. Additionally, the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-IN) remains a leader in cyber incident management and guides secure working practices.
India has been ranked 10th in the world in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2022. Reaffirming its commitment to enhancing its cyber resilience. Similarly. Adopting the National Cyber Security Strategy is expected to address gaps in policies and practices, focusing on public-private sector collaboration.
In terms of industries, sectors like banking, healthcare, and e-commerce have significantly increased their investments in cybersecurity. According to a Nasscom report, the cybersecurity marketplace size in India is predictable to reach USD 13.6 billion by 2025, owing to rising digitalisation and demand for secure solutions. Companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS play a key role by offering managed security services and developing robust data protection systems.
Collaborations with global tech companies like Microsoft and Cisco have strengthened India’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Initiatives to create cybersecurity task forces and train IT professionals are gaining momentum to address the skill gap.
Despite the improved government approach, challenges like a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and inadequate substructure persist. Addressing these experiments requires long-term planning, public-private partnerships, and the development of an innovation ecosystem that fosters local cybersecurity solutions.
In addition, the government is investing in developing a robust cybersecurity infrastructure through collaboration with global tech giants and public-private partnerships. Business awareness has increased significantly, with sectors like banking, healthcare, and e-commerce prioritising data defence.
Challenges Hindering India’s Cybersecurity Growth
Notwithstanding these efforts, the Indian cybersecurity industry faces several challenges, including:
- Limited funding for startups: Lack of significant financial support hinders innovation and growth.
- Shortage of skilled workers: There is a significant gap among the demand for cybersecurity specialists and the available skilled workforce.
- High dependence on foreign technology: Most cybersecurity solutions are imported from global tech giants. Limiting opportunities for local innovation.
Solving these problems requires a multifaceted approach:
- Supporting local talent: Encourage cybersecurity education early on and offer training programs to address skills gaps.
- Supporting innovation: Create incubators and accelerators dedicated to cybersecurity startups to stimulate their growth.
- Developing support policies: Implement public policies that reduce reliance on foreign technology and prioritise local answers.
Voices from the Industry: The Need for an Ecosystem
Indian companies are also increasingly interested in addressing the cybersecurity gap. Anand Prakash, founder of PingSafe, emphasises the importance of creating successful product companies in the Indian cybersecurity landscape, noting that early success can help build a strong local ecosystem.
Trishneet Arora, CEO of TAC Security, emphasises creating a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation and reduces reliance on foreign solutions. She advocates for policies incentivising local development to strengthen India’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Bridging the Gap: A Strategic Approach Forward
To address the cybersecurity gap, India must strategically invest in local talent, encourage innovation through appropriate measures, and support local cybersecurity startups to compete in the global market. Raising awareness about cybersecurity among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and providing them with affordable answers is imperative. Integrating cybersecurity into digital literacy programs will enable citizens to protect themselves online, creating a cybersecurity awareness culture. Moreover, by prioritising these measures, India can create a more resilient and self-reliant cybersecurity ecosystem.