BW Businessworld - December 14, 2024

In this issue

AS BUSINESSES, governments and individuals stride boldly into an
increasingly digitised world, the stakes for cybersecurity are higher than
ever before. The Indian cybersecurity market is expected to soar from
$4.70 billion in 2024 to $10.90 billion in 2029, reflecting a robust CAGR
of 18.33 per cent, according to Mordor Intelligence. As the industry grows,
challenges abound, for technological evolution is both an opportunity
and a vulnerability. In this issue, we at BW Businessworld, look into the
complexities of our interconnected digital future through insights from
India Inc.’s leadership, highlighted in the BW Cybersecurity Outlook
2025 Survey. The survey, conducted in association with the Data Security
Council of India and The FAIR Institute, reveals that while 52 per cent of
organisations have increased cybersecurity budgets, 36 per cent remain
static, showing the need for a more unified, proactive approach to combat
escalating threats.

THE FLIP SIDE OF CONSOLIDATION

THE YEAR 2024 has been pivotal for the media and marketing industry, marked by ground-breaking consolidations.

1 min

Google's Willow Chip

GOOGLE HAS TAKEN a tectonic leap forward in quantum computing with the development of its new chip, Willow.

1 min

Men of the Match

THE YEAR 1983 was an \"inflection\" point for Indian cricket to quote India's foreign minister S. Jaishankar.

1 min

Fault Lines in GST

THE GST GROUP of Ministers' (GoM) recommendation to impose a 28 per cent tax on luxury goods such as high-end wristwatches, premium apparel, and expensive footwear - raises serious concerns about its economic prudence.

1 min

Dealing with Trump

A MONTH BEFORE MOVING into the White House, United States President-elect Donald Trump has already issued several geopolitical threats. He has promised to slap 25 per cent duties on all imports from Mexico, Canada and China. Since Chinese goods are already subject to high US tariffs, the new duties will be on top of those.

4 mins

THE REGRESSIVE BITE OF INDIRECT TAXES

INDIA’S INDIRECT tax system, chiefly the Goods and Services Tax (GST), poses unique challenges to economic equity. Despite its intended purpose of streamlining taxation and spurring growth, the GST has compounded the existing regressive nature of indirect taxes, disproportionately affecting the lower-income part of the country’s population.

3 mins

Building Regulatory Systems with Better Technology Awareness

AS TECHNOLOGY increasingly becomes a key foundational stone for financial systems, commerce, and global sovereign decisions, the challenge facing regulators is clear: how can regulatory frameworks keep pace with relentless innovation without stifling it, and how can they protect people while ensuring dynamic and fair markets?

4 mins

ASTRUCTURED PATHWAY FOR INDO-US COLLABORATION IN ADVANCED TECH

THE LATEST Global Innovation Index (GII) report ranks 130 countries based on their innovative capacities and out comes, utilising 78 indicators to measure innovation. The report highlights the significant differences between the innovative ecosystems of the United States and India.

4 mins

EXCLUSIVITY: Encouraging Extravagant Expenditures

ONE IMPORTANT MARKER of “progress” is the differential in price between functionality and exclusivity. A functional writing instrument (a ball-point pen) can be purchased for Rs 10. A luxury brand of the same product, with no additional functionality, can cost upwards of Rs 1000.

2 mins

The Little Candy Tin Box

AN ELDERLY AUNT PASSED AWAY last week at the ripe old age of 99. As you might expect, her near and dear ones were left with mixed feelings. There was a lot to celebrate about a full life, well lived.

2 mins

Real Gender Parity is Still a Long Way Off

THERE WAS A LOT OF debate, when Rohit Jawa was named CEO of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) after Sanjeev Mehta’s tenure ended.

3 mins

"Agra and Prayagraj IMCs Will Position Uttar Pradesh as India's Premier Manufacturing and Logistics Hub"

In an exclusive conversation with BW Businessworld's Ruhail Amin, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) CEO MAYUR MAHESHWARI discusses the strategic development of Integrated Manufacturing Clusters in Agra and Prayagraj, the state's vision to become a leader in industrial growth

3 mins

Power Plays Shape Your World, Like It or Not

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED why some people always seem to get their way – at work, at home, or even among friends? Is it pure luck, or are they silently navigating the invisible web of power dynamics that surrounds us all?

3 mins

THE POWER SECTOR IS VITAL FOR VIKSIT BHARAT

THE FIRST GENERATION of reforms in the power sector in India involved separating the transmission function from generation and distribution for greater transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

7 mins

GROUNDBREAKING ALLIANCE

John Wren, Chairman & CEO of Omnicom, and Philippe Krakowsky, CEO of Interpublic, spearhead the transformational merger that will mark a new era in the global advertising and marketing sector

3 mins

AMFI MAY REVIEW 'DRACONIAN' FRAMEWORK: EXCHANGES GIVE PARTIAL CONCESSION ON MARGIN FUNDING

The BW Businessworld report titled How SEBI’s Licence Raj is Spreading Chaos in Stock Markets, has generated massive interest in financial markets, causing both the Association of Mutual Funds in India and stock exchanges (BSE and NSE) to clarify their positions. But the clarifications generate more curiosity. Read on...

6 mins

Aftermath COP-29: What Should India's Agenda Be?

India's position is that climate finance should incentivise and facilitate developing countries' adoption of renewable energy sources over fossil fuels, write Dr ASIT KBARMA, Director & Professor and Dr MAFRUZA SULTANA, Assistant Professor, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli

4 mins

"Majority Of Our Business Will Come From Private Commercial & Industrial Customers"

Having recently secured $650 million from KKR, Serentica Renewables aims to play a big role in India's decarbonisation journey. CEO AKSHAY HIRANANDANI speaks to BW Businessworld's Arjun Yadav on the business dynamics, the policy ecosystem and recent partnership with the state of Andhra Pradesh. Excerpts

4 mins

Bihar Under CM Nitish Kumar A Compelling Narrative of Transformation and Progress

The state is now confidently stepping onto the national stage as a rising economic power

4 mins

"Bihar Has a Crucial Role to Play in India's Development Roadmap for 2047"

Bihar's Industries & Tourism Minister, NITISH MISHRA, champions the state's industrial potential and tourism appeal in this exclusive interview with BW Businessworld.

4 mins

Highlights of Bihar's Economic Turnaround

Bihar's transformative industrial policies, infrastructure advancements, and strategic investments are positioning the state as a thriving hub for diverse sectors and sustainable growth in India.

2 mins

"Bihar Is Actively Courting Investments From Domestic and International Players"

AMRIT LAL MEENA, Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, shares his perspectives on the state's dynamic industrial landscape in this exclusive interview with BW Businessworld. He also discusses key initiatives and strategies aimed at fostering growth and attracting investment, including the upcoming Bihar Business Connect 2024 summit.

2 mins

Bihar Business Connect 2024 Brings Intent and Execution Together

Bihar is on the cusp of an industrial resurgence driven by strategic policymaking says BANDANA PREYASHI, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar

2 mins

REDEFINING INVESTMENTS

Indian REITs have delivered robust returns since inception, tripling gross asset value, surpassing Rs 14,300 crore in cumulative distributions, and outpacing Nifty Realty Index dividends

7 mins

'Electrification in India will be growing like never before'

Hitachi Energy completes 75 years in India having started operations in 1949. GERHARD SALGE, CTO, Hitachi Energy tells ASHISH SINHA how the company is enabling India’s grid modernization and strengthening the nation’s energy infrastructure. Excerpts

3 mins

THE RISING SHIELD

As India rapidly embraces digital transformation, the $4.7 billion cybersecurity market has emerged as both a critical enabler and a formidable challenge, witnessing growth that shows investment, innovation and the need to counter rising threats

6 mins

REVOLUTIONISING CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity's impact has never been more significant in a world reliant on digital systems. SAKET MODI, Co-founder & CEO of Safe Security, shares insights with BW Businessworld's Group Editorial Director Noor Fathima Warsia on how AI-driven cybersecurity is transforming, empowering CISOs to make critical decisions

6 mins

"CYBERSECURITY IS NOW A BOARDROOM PRIORITY"

With over 24 years of expertise, SUNIL SAPRA, Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Eventus Security and Founder & Managing Partner, Seedop Technologies, brings a unique perspective on how cybersecurity has evolved from a niche IT concern to a critical boardroom priority. In this interview, he explores the integration of cybersecurity with business goals and the strategies organisations must adopt to stay ahead of emerging threats

4 mins

"WE MUST PROMOTE INDIGENOUS SOLUTIONS"

Quick Heal Technologies’ Joint Managing Director SANJAY KATKAR and CEO VISHAL SALVI, in an interview with BW Businessworld’s Rohit Chintapali, discuss the company’s growth in the enterprise space, the state of India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, and trends in cybersecurity spending across the country. Excerpts

5 mins

QUANTUM DEFENCES: "CYBERSECURITY'S NEXT BIG MOVE"

In an interview with BW Businessworld’s Rohit Chintapali, QNu Labs CEO SUNIL GUPTA and Chief Growth Officer RAHIL PATEL discuss the immense potential of the quantum cybersecurity market, the threats posed by quantum-enabled breaches, and their optimism for the startup’s future. Excerpts

3 mins

"TRANSFORMING CYBERSECURITY WITH VISIBILITY & REAL-TIME DEFENCE"

PRAVEEN AND NAVEEN JAISWAL, co-founders of Vehere, have redefined cybersecurity with their AI-driven solutions. In this conversation, Praveen Jaiswal, who is also the COO, discusses partnering with defence and intelligence agencies to safeguard global enterprises and the vision to create a global cybersecurity benchmark

5 mins

"INDIAN CYBERSECURITY ECOSYSTEM IS STRONG BUT NEEDS BROADER PERSPECTIVE"

In an interview with Rohit Chintapali of BW Businessworld, TAC Security founder and CEO TRISHNEET ARORA discusses Indian cybersecurity landscape, business opportunities in the space, and more. Excerpts

4 mins

THE PILLAR OF A RESILIENT DIGITAL FUTURE

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has transformed the world, driving unprecedented connectivity and innovation. Yet, as the digital realm expands, so do vulnerabilities, with cyber threats emerging as critical challenges for businesses, governments and individuals

6 mins

Shaping the Future of Cyber Risk Management

With its mission to advance cyber risk quantification through the FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk) model, the institute empowers businesses to align cybersecurity with broader objectives using structured, data-driven insights. Managing Director TODD TUCKER discusses how the institute’s methodologies and community-driven approach are reshaping industry standards worldwide, including growing interest in India and Asia Pacific

2 mins

"WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A RESILIENT AND SELF-SUSTAINING SEMICONDUCTOR ECOSYSTEM"

S.KRISHNAN, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, outlines India's ambitious plan to build a resilient and globally competitive semiconductor industry through the India Semiconductor Mission

5 mins

THE HOLY GRAIL OF PROFITABILITY

Profitability for startups is elusive, often overshadowed by growth and investor expectations. Achieving profitability requires a delicate balance between revenue generation and cost management, with factors like market dynamics and competition playing significant roles

6 mins

NAVIGATING THE PATH TO PROFITABILITY: A STARTUP'S BALANCING ACT

WHEN EVALUATING startup profitability, it’s crucial to break it down into two main components: unit economics and fixed costs. Unit economics refers to the profitability of delivering each singular order, which involves analysing transaction margins against costs incurred, such as delivery and payment gateway fees. This assessment helps gauge whether a business model is sustainable at a micro level.

3 mins

"MACARONS FOR THE MASSES"

CHANDNI NATH ISRANI, the driving force behind Ladurée's India expansion, redefines luxury in the F&B sector. With four flourishing Ladurée outlets established since 2021, Israni is making iconic French pastries and delicacies accessible to the Indian market. BW Businessworld sits down with the visionary entrepreneur to discuss her journey in building the luxury brand and her strategy for democratising gourmet experiences

4 mins

The drip of good health

IV therapy seems to be a popular procedure with people in pursuit of good health and glowing skin. We spoke to medical experts about aspects to keep in mind before walking into a wellness centre to get that drip.

2 mins

AN INDUSTR BENCHMAR

The MacBook Pro M4 doesn't just set the bar for laptops-it becomes the bar. With unmatched performance, breath-taking design and incredible endurance, Apple's latest offering redefines what a laptop can achieve, says Sahil Mohan Gupta

3 mins

INTELLECTUAL DEPTH & ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS

Anil K. Khandelwal is a transformational leader, who invites readers to rethink leadership as a journey rather than a destination. In The Gym of Leadership, he emphasises that helmsmanship is not a badge of authority but a commitment to creating a positive impact, says Srinath Sridharan

3 mins

'Committed to helping India achieve carbon neutrality'

R. Purushothaman on how Danfoss India, part of Danish MNC, is supporting the nation's carbon neutrality goals with innovative products

2 mins

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BW Businessworld Magazine Description:

BW Businessworld is a fortnightly magazine that has been published since 1975. It is one of the most popular business magazines in India, and it is known for its in-depth reporting and analysis of the Indian business world. It also features interviews with leading business leaders and entrepreneurs. It's a guide to the ever-changing business landscape.

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