Empowering Indian MSMEs by Democratizing Cybersecurity Compliance: Interview Excerpts

As published in Ahmedabad Mirror, The Times of India

In a digital age where even the smallest businesses are reliant on robust cybersecurity, Vishal Prakash Shah, Founder and CEO of Synersoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., has made it his mission to bridge the gap for Indian MSMEs. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges these enterprises face, Shah has pioneered innovative, affordable solutions that empower MSMEs to protect their digital assets and stay competitive in an increasingly complex market. Through products like BLACKbox, Synersoft is not only addressing critical data protection needs but also helping small and medium-sized enterprises navigate the intricacies of cybersecurity compliance and cloud computing.

1. What motivated Synersoft to focus on providing data protection and cybersecurity? solutions specifically for Indian MSMEs?

Sixteen years ago, we identified a critical gap in the market: Indian MSMEs were increasingly? reliant on digital assets but lacked the robust, affordable cybersecurity solutions available? to larger enterprises. These smaller businesses needed to protect their data from loss and? theft to remain competitive, but most existing solutions were designed for large companies? with substantial financial resources.

Moreover, Indian MSMEs face strict data security compliance requirements from larger or? international clients, which are essential for maintaining business relationships and? accessing lucrative markets. However, the available data protection solutions were either? too costly or overly complex for MSMEs. The scarcity of skilled IT professionals further? exacerbated these challenges, making it hard for MSMEs to manage their cybersecurity? needs effectively.

Recognizing this significant market gap, we developed BLACKbox, a product specifically? designed to meet the unique challenges MSMEs face, such as compliance, cost, scalability,? and IT talent shortages. BLACKbox is an all-in-one solution that simplifies cybersecurity and? data protection for MSMEs by integrating multiple functionalities—File Server, Firewall,? Storage Device, Domain Controller, Endpoint Controller, Mail Vigilance/Distribution System,? VPN Server, and Productivity Monitoring tool—into a single, easy-to-use system.

What truly sets BLACKbox apart is its affordability. It provides enterprise-level data? protection at a fraction of the cost of multiple separate solutions, making high-level? cybersecurity accessible to MSMEs.

2. How can Indian MSMEs utilize the latest data protection technologies to boost their? competitiveness in today’s digital world?

Indian MSMEs are navigating a highly competitive global market where advanced? technology and strict compliance are becoming non-negotiable. As the business? environment continues to evolve, MSMEs that resist adopting digital tools, automation, IoT,? and smart manufacturing are at risk of being left behind. This reality has made the adoption? of information technology essential, turning once-physical assets into digital ones and? raising the need for strong cybersecurity measures.

Today, key business assets—such as designs, customer databases, intellectual property,? and communications—are stored and shared digitally. However, this digital shift also? exposes MSMEs to greater cyber risks, making them more vulnerable to attacks.

The impact of losing these digital assets can be devastating, leading to operational? breakdowns, competitive disadvantages, and serious liabilities from data breaches. This? makes it imperative for MSMEs to treat cybersecurity and data protection as integral parts of

their overall business strategy.

Cutting-edge solutions like Security as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service? (IaaS) provide MSMEs with customized, scalable security options that help them safeguard? their digital assets effectively. The ability to maintain operations in the face of threats like? ransomware or other disruptions will be crucial for an MSME’s ability to compete and thrive.

In today’s global market, protecting data from breaches and theft isn’t just about security— it’s a cornerstone of business resilience and success. By adopting the latest data protection? technologies, MSMEs can strengthen their competitive edge, ensuring they remain secure? and adaptable in a constantly changing digital landscape.

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

To thrive in the current digital landscape, MSMEs must stay informed about several key? trends in cybersecurity compliance:

A. Zero-Trust Architecture:

Embracing a zero-trust approach is increasingly critical. This model operates on the? principle that no one—whether inside or outside the organization—should be trusted by? default. MSMEs need to enforce strict verification protocols for all access requests, utilize? VPNs for secure, encrypted connections, ensure all devices have up-to-date antivirus and? endpoint protection, and prevent users from installing unauthorized applications to? minimize security risks.

B. Data Security:

With MSMEs handling sensitive information, safeguarding data like customer details and? intellectual property is imperative. This involves continuously monitoring and logging file? activities to identify unusual behavior and implementing secure email practices to protect? against phishing and unauthorized data transfers.

C. Cybersecurity Awareness:

Building a culture of cybersecurity awareness is crucial. MSMEs should focus on educating? their employees through regular training sessions, ensuring they are well-versed in best? practices, and staying updated on the latest threats and vulnerabilities. Aknowledgeable? workforce can significantly reduce the likelihood of security incidents.

D. Preparation for Data Loss and Ransomware:

The threat of data loss and ransomware attacks is ever-present. MSMEs should regularly? back up their data, use technology that enables the recovery of previous file versions in the? event of a ransomware attack, and have a robust disaster recovery plan in place. These? measures help ensure quick recovery after an incident without succumbing to ransom? demands or enduring prolonged downtime.

E. Robust Security Policies:

Implementing strong security policies is essential. MSMEs should mandate the use of VPNs? for remote access, utilize secure email systems with Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensure? all software is properly licensed and protected with updated antivirus programs, and? include comprehensive confidentiality clauses in employment contracts to hold employees? accountable for protecting company data.

By focusing on these emerging trends, MSMEs can strengthen their cybersecurity defenses,? staying protected against evolving threats while maintaining their competitive advantage.

4. How can advancements in cloud computing infrastructure help small and medium sized enterprises scale their operations while keeping costs manageable?

Recent developments in cloud computing infrastructure present substantial advantages for? SMEs looking to expand their operations without incurring excessive costs:

A. Streamlined IT Management:

Traditional cloud solutions often require SMEs to juggle multiple services for tasks like? cloud backup, device security, and VPNs, leading to increased costs and complexity.? However, recent innovations are simplifying this by integrating these various functions into a? single service. This unified approach reduces the hassle of managing multiple subscriptions? and agents, making IT management more straightforward for SMEs.

B. Cost Efficiency:

Consolidating multiple IT functions into one service allows SMEs to significantly cut costs.? Instead of paying for separate services, they can now access a comprehensive solution that? offers all the necessary tools at a lower overall cost. This not only eases financial pressure? but also enables SMEs to allocate their resources more effectively.

C. Scalability and Flexibility:

Cloud computing provides SMEs with the ability to scale their operations up or down as? required, without needing to invest heavily in new hardware or software. This flexibility? means that businesses can easily adjust their cloud resources to align with their growth,? ensuring they only pay for what they actually use. This is especially valuable for SMEs? aiming to expand while staying agile in a dynamic market.

D. Enhanced Security and Compliance:

Cloud providers are continually enhancing their security measures, giving SMEs access to? advanced security features such as data encryption, secure access controls, and? compliance with industry standards. This enables SMEs to safeguard their digital assets without the need for extensive in-house security infrastructure.

E. Boosted Competitiveness:

By adopting advanced cloud solutions, SMEs can improve their IT infrastructure, increase? productivity, and gain a competitive edge. The ability to quickly and affordably access and? deploy cutting-edge technologies allows SMEs to focus on their core business, fostering? innovation and driving growth.

In conclusion, the latest advancements in cloud computing are making it easier, more cost effective, and more efficient for SMEs to scale their operations, navigate IT challenges, and? maintain a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced digital environment

5. As Synersoft continues to grow across India, how does it sustain a culture of process driven excellence and innovation?

Synersoft sustains its culture of process-driven excellence and innovation by focusing on a? balanced approach that emphasizes trust, effective time management, and the alignment? of shareholder interests. Unlike many startups that prioritize rapid growth at the expense of? profitability, our strategy is rooted in sustainable, profitable growth.

A cornerstone of our success is a strong feedback loop with our customers. By actively? listening to their needs and concerns, we gain critical insights that help us continually refine? and enhance our products. Additionally, our BLACKbox Knowledge Centerkeeps a close? watch on emerging technologies, enabling us to stay ahead of industry trends and? incorporate the latest innovations into our offerings.

Our innovation process is guided by a disruptive design thinking approach. Our product and? research teams first analyze conventional solutions, then develop innovative, out-of-the box alternatives. This ensures that our products are not only cutting-edge but also practical? and highly effective.

We also foster a culture of creativity by encouraging our teams to question conventional? wisdom and empowering them to design solutions that are both cost-effective and? straightforward, directly addressing real-world challenges. Our fair and supportive HR? policies ensure that talent is recognized and nurtured, further fueling a culture of? continuous innovation and excellence as we expand across India.

About the respondent

Vishal Prakash Shah is the founder and CEO of Synersoft. He is known as a seasoned? technology stalwart, an inventor of specific patented technologies, a writer, a serial? entrepreneur, an investor, and, importantly, a "Go to Guy" for MSMEs.

Direct Link to Corresponding Article on Ahmedabad Mirror