Synersoft’s Mission: Empowering Indian MSMEs with Accessible Cybersecurity Solutions

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Mr. Vishal Prakash Shah, Founder and CEO, Synersoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Question 1: What inspired Synersoft’s mission to support Indian MSMEs with its data protection  and cybersecurity solutions?

Our journey began 16 years ago when we recognized a critical need among Indian MSMEs for robust  digital solutions to remain competitive. As these enterprises increasingly relied on digital assets, it  became clear that protecting this data from loss and theft was essential. However, the available  cybersecurity solutions were primarily designed for large enterprises with significant financial  resources, leaving MSMEs without affordable and effective options.

Indian MSMEs often face stringent data security compliance requirements imposed by larger or  international clients. These standards are crucial for maintaining business relationships and  accessing profitable markets. Unfortunately, many data protection solutions tailored for large  enterprises are prohibitively expensive and overly complex for smaller operations. Additionally, the  shortage of skilled IT professionals within MSMEs compounds these challenges, making it difficult  for them to recruit and retain the necessary expertise.

We were inspired by this significant market gap and set out to create a solution specifically  designed to address the unique challenges MSMEs face, including compliance, cost, scalability,  and IT talent shortages. This led to the development of BLACKbox—a comprehensive product that  simplifies cybersecurity and data protection for MSMEs. BLACKbox integrates multiple  functionalities into a single, easy-to-use solution, acting as a File Server, Firewall, Storage Device,  Domain Controller, Endpoint Controller, Mail Vigilance/Distribution System, VPN Server, and  Productivity Monitoring tool.

What truly sets BLACKbox apart is its affordability. It delivers all these capabilities at a fraction of  the cost of procuring and integrating multiple separate solutions, making enterprise-level data  protection accessible to MSMEs.

2. How can Indian MSMEs leverage cutting-edge data protection technologies to enhance their overall competitiveness in the current digital landscape?

One of the biggest challenges facing Indian MSMEs today is the intense global competition, where  technical sophistication and compliance have become essential. As the business landscape  rapidly evolves, MSMEs that hesitate to embrace digitization, automation, IoT, and smart  manufacturing risk falling behind. This shift has driven widespread adoption of information  technology, turning physical assets into digital ones and necessitating robust information security  measures.

In this digital age, virtually all critical business assets—such as designs, cost sheets, customer  data, intellectual property, and communications—are digitized and exchanged electronically.  However, with this digital transformation comes an increased risk of cyber threats. As MSMEs  become more dependent on digital assets and transactions, their exposure to cyber risks grows,  making them prime targets for digital intruders and hackers.

The consequences of losing these digital assets can be severe, ranging from operational  disruptions to competitive exploitation and data breach liabilities. This highlights the urgent need

for MSMEs to prioritize cybersecurity and data protection as integral components of their business  strategy.

Emerging technologies like Security as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offer  powerful solutions to help MSMEs mitigate cybersecurity risks. These services provide scalable,  tailored security measures that empower MSMEs to protect their digital assets effectively. The  ability to maintain business continuity in the face of challenges like ransomware attacks or  disasters will be a critical factor in determining an MSME’s resilience and competitiveness.

In the competitive global market, protecting data from leakage and theft is not just a security  measure—it’s a vital component of business survival and success. By leveraging cutting-edge data  protection technologies, MSMEs can enhance their competitiveness, ensuring they remain agile  and secure in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

3. What are the emerging trends in cybersecurity compliance that MSMEs should be aware of to stay ahead of potential threats?

To remain competitive and secure in today’s digital landscape, MSMEs must be aware of several  emerging trends in cybersecurity compliance:

1. Zero-Trust Policy: Adopting a zero-trust approach is essential. This means assuming that no entity—inside or outside the organization—can be trusted by default. MSMEs should implement rigorous verification for all access requests, use VPNs to ensure secure,  encrypted connections, deploy up-to-date antivirus and endpoint protection on all devices,  and restrict users from installing unauthorized applications to prevent potential security  breaches.
2. Data Protection: As MSMEs handle sensitive data like customer information and intellectual property, protecting this data from theft is crucial. This can be achieved by implementing active monitoring and logging of file operations to detect suspicious  activities, as well as enforcing secure email practices to guard against phishing and  unauthorized data transfer.
3. Cybersecurity Awareness: It’s vital for MSMEs to elevate their cybersecurity awareness. This includes educating employees on best practices, conducting regular training sessions, and staying updated on the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities. A well-informed  workforce is better equipped to prevent and respond to security incidents.
4. Preparedness for Data Loss and Ransomware: Data loss and ransomware attacks are significant risks. MSMEs should regularly back up their data, employ technologies that allow recovery of previous file versions in case of ransomware attacks, and have a comprehensive  disaster recovery plan. This ensures that operations can quickly resume after an incident  without paying a ransom or suffering prolonged downtime.
5. Strong Security Policies: Establishing and enforcing robust security policies is critical. MSMEs should require the use of VPNs for all remote access, adopt secure email systems that use Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensure all software is licensed and protected by

updated antivirus programs, and include strong confidentiality clauses in employment  agreements to hold employees accountable for safeguarding company data.

By focusing on these trends, MSMEs can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture, ensuring  they are well-protected against emerging threats while maintaining their competitive edge.

4. In what ways can advancements in cloud computing infrastructure benefit small and medium sized enterprises looking to scale their operations while maintaining cost-effectiveness?

Advancements in cloud computing infrastructure offer significant benefits for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to scale their operations while keeping costs under control:

1. Simplified IT Management: Traditional cloud-based solutions often require SMEs to install  multiple agents and subscribe to various services for different IT needs, such as cloud  backup, device hardening, and VPNs. This fragmented approach can be costly and difficult  to manage. However, recent advancements are streamlining these processes by  consolidating multiple functions into a single, integrated service. This reduces complexity,  making it easier for SMEs to manage their IT infrastructure without the burden of handling  multiple subscriptions and agents.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: By consolidating various IT functions into one service, SMEs can  significantly lower their costs. Instead of paying for multiple separate services, they can  benefit from a unified solution that provides all the necessary tools at a fraction of the cost.  This approach not only reduces financial strain but also allows SMEs to allocate resources  more efficiently.
3. Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud computing offers the ability to scale operations up or  down as needed without the need for significant upfront investments in hardware or  software. SMEs can easily adjust their cloud resources to match their business growth,  ensuring they only pay for what they use. This flexibility is particularly valuable for SMEs  looking to expand their operations while remaining agile and responsive to market changes.
4. Enhanced Security and Compliance: Cloud providers are continuously improving their  security protocols, offering SMEs access to high-level security features such as data  encryption, secure access controls, and compliance with industry regulations. This allows  SMEs to protect their digital assets effectively without the need for extensive in-house  security infrastructure.
5. Increased Competitiveness: By leveraging advanced cloud solutions, SMEs can improve their IT infrastructure, enhance productivity, and better compete in the market. The ability to access and deploy sophisticated technologies quickly and affordably enables SMEs to  focus on their core business activities, driving innovation and growth.

In summary, the latest advancements in cloud computing are making it easier, more affordable,  and more efficient for SMEs to scale their operations, manage IT complexities, and stay competitive  in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

5. How does Synersoft maintain its culture of process-driven excellence and innovation as it continues to expand across India?

Synersoft maintains its culture of process-driven excellence and innovation through a  balanced approach that prioritizes trust, time management, and shareholder interests. Our  growth strategy is focused on profitability rather than just expansion, which sets us apart  from the typical startup trend of sacrificing profitability for rapid growth.

Key to our success is a robust feedback system that actively listens to our customers,  providing us with invaluable insights to refine our products. We also run the BLACKbox  Knowledge Center, which tracks emerging technologies. This proactive approach allows us  to stay ahead of the curve by identifying and integrating promising innovations.

Innovation at Synersoft is driven by a disruptive design thinking strategy. Our product and  research teams approach problems by first understanding conventional solutions and then  developing out-of-the-box alternatives. This method ensures that our solutions are not only  innovative but also practical and effective.

We also encourage our teams to challenge traditional thinking and empower them to design cost effective, simple solutions that address real-world problems. Our objective HR policies ensure that  talent is optimally appreciated and nurtured, further fostering a culture of continuous innovation  and excellence as we expand across India.

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