Exclusive Interview: Ashok Prabhu, Valuepoint Systems & Harshil Doshi, Securonix

In an exclusive interview with DQ Channels, Ashok Prabhu, Chief Executive, Sales, Valuepoint Systems & Harshil Doshi, Country Director, Securonix talked about their partnership and how they can bring cloud-native SIEM solutions to the Indian market.

What is the nature of the partnership and what does it entail?

This strategic partnership with Valuepoint Systems will help Securonix in bringing its cloud-native SIEM solution to the Indian market. The collaboration will leverage Securonix’s next-gen AI/ML-backed security solutions and ValuePoint Systems' expertise in IT services to enable Indian enterprises to detect and respond to advanced threats in real-time. Enterprises will be able to monitor their entire IT infrastructure, including on-premises and cloud environments. The solution will deliver exceptional scalability and flexibility, allowing customers to effortlessly manage their security infrastructure, identify and respond to attacks, and comply with regulatory requirements. The partnership will also help create an ecosystem in which suppliers can contribute to security visibility, build a robust and evolving Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) Programme and an overall strong security analytics platform.

How will the partnership help boost the cybersecurity solutions available in the market today?

Answer: The demand for security solutions which can fight against sophisticated cyberattacks is picking up, especially in India. According to the latest report by Checkpoint, the Asia Pacific region overall reported the highest year-on-year surge in attacks at 16% or an average of 1,835 attacks a week. The need for innovative solutions which are based on machine learning or AI capabilities is rising. Also, every type of enterprise, be it small or big, a startup or an MNC or a government organisation, needs scalable and flexible solutions that can be deployed in complex infrastructures. The partnership will help fulfil the demand for security solutions that can identify and respond to threats in real-time.

How important is the channel ecosystem for Securonix? What kind of strategy does it use to build successful partnerships?

Maintaining a healthy channel ecosystem is very important to us. We as a company are continuously striving to provide our partners with a hassle-free service that is simple to adopt and does not necessitate huge amounts of time or labour. As one of the leaders in Next-Gen SIEM, UEBA, and SOAR, our focus on our channel ecosystem has resulted in an increase in the number of new partners year over year. Our cutting-edge technology enables our channel partners to create service solutions that promote profitable sales and provide value to their customers.

To develop successful partnerships, we are devoted to providing our partners with the best possible experience, such as removing all barriers with no programme fees, providing free training with flexible payment options, and a competitive, clear pricing strategy. In addition to this, we offer personalised support and opportunity registration, which recognises and protects our partners' time and resources. We also conduct surveys regularly to collect quantitative and qualitative feedback and to assess customer satisfaction. Getting inputs from customers, resellers, distributors, and technology alliance partners allows us to gain a complete picture of our sales operations.

By adding the cloud-native SIEM solution of Securonix to its offerings, what vision Valuepoint Systems has for Indian customers?

Answer: Our partnership with Securonix will provide our customers with best-in-class security solutions while allowing us to expand our offerings. With Securonix's cloud-native platform, we will be able to provide our customers with greater visibility into the risks operating in their environment.  Nowadays, customers are looking at SIEMs not just as logging and correlation tools to undertake forensics and meet compliance, but also to assist them in discovering threats real time. This collaboration will help us to serve the growing demand for innovative SIEM solutions and meet all types of customer needs.

How is the cybersecurity landscape evolving in the country and what kind of roadblocks are faced by enterprises?

As India moves into the digital age, many organisations are beefing up their cybersecurity capabilities. The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly changing as more complex cyber assaults are launched using cutting-edge technology such as AI/ML, ChatGPT, and generative AI. To prevent cybercrime, it is now necessary for every firm to invest in a strong security architecture. A lack of adequate data and threat context makes it difficult for enterprises to successfully tune their systems and effectively limit vulnerability exposure, which is one of the most significant roadblocks that an organisation faces. Furthermore, not being well-equipped with the latest security developments, failing to incorporate modern security controls and features across hardware, firmware, and so on, and failing to upskill/reskill existing employees are some additional factors making it difficult for organisations to adapt to the current cybersecurity scenario.

What kind of strategy can help avoid the rising sophisticated cyberattacks?

With cybercriminals becoming more technologically savvy, preventing a breach necessitates staying up-to-date on all security advances. To dissuade an attacker from exploiting a vulnerability or weakness, the right countermeasures must be deployed/used for each attack. To develop a successful cybersecurity strategy, an organisation must secure hardware, backup and encrypt data, invest in cybersecurity insurance, encourage a security-focused culture, and employ robust cybersecurity software. Organisations may deter hackers and keep their data private and secure by using a VPN and being aware of common attack methods.