Key Points
- Veeam and DSCI partner to prepare Indian enterprises for DPDP Act enforcement in May 2027
- 93 per cent of Indian organisations already using or testing AI agents according to Veeam research
- Partnership targets 100,000 certifications and 25,000 job pathways in cybersecurity
Veeam Software and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to train cybersecurity professionals and help Indian enterprises prepare for the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which takes full effect in May 2027.
The DPDP Act, passed in 2023, imposes new obligations on organisations that collect and process personal data of Indian citizens, including requirements for consent, data localisation and breach notification. Enterprises that fail to comply face penalties of up to ₹250 crore.
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Under the MoU announced at VeeamON Tour Delhi, the two organisations will work together on workforce development, policy research and industry engagement. The partnership aims to address a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals as companies adopt artificial intelligence tools that create new data governance challenges.
Research published by Veeam found that 93 per cent of Indian organisations are already using or testing AI agents, software programmes that can perform tasks autonomously without constant human oversight. Of these, 44 per cent have deployed AI agents in production environments.
However, 98 per cent of respondents said data-related challenges had slowed their AI progress, while 42 per cent cited risks from autonomous AI behaviour as a top concern. The findings suggest many organisations are adopting AI tools faster than their data governance frameworks can support.
“With the DPDP Act less than a year from full enforcement, Indian enterprises must move beyond compliance planning to building operational cyber resilience,” said Sandeep Bhambure, vice president and managing director for India and SAARC at Veeam. Cyber resilience refers to an organisation’s ability to continue operating during and after a cyberattack, including its capacity to recover data and restore systems.
Workforce development programmes
The partnership will launch several training initiatives targeting different groups. A cyber awareness programme will reach government school students in Ahmedabad. A separate initiative will train women engineering graduates from Northeast India in cybersecurity skills. A certification bootcamp will prepare science and engineering graduates for careers in what Veeam calls cyber resilience roles.
“Strengthening India’s cybersecurity ecosystem means building awareness and skills at every level, from classrooms and universities to boardrooms and enterprises,” said Vinayak Godse, chief executive officer of DSCI.
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By the numbers
- 93%
- Indian organisations using or testing AI agents
- 100,000
- Certification target under Bharat CyberSuraksha
- May 2027
- DPDP Act full enforcement deadline
The two organisations will also co-author a paper titled “DPDP-Ready in the AI Era”, offering practical guidance for organisations preparing for the new data protection law.
Veeam plans to publish a two-volume handbook for technical and management audiences, drawing on contributions from more than 50 business and technology leaders. The handbook will be distributed to universities and colleges.
The company’s Bharat CyberSuraksha initiative has set targets of 100 Centres of Excellence, 100,000 certifications and 25,000 job pathways into enterprise security roles.
India’s digital economy accounts for about 13 per cent of GDP and is growing at roughly twice the pace of the broader economy, according to industry estimates. This growth has made data governance and recoverability priorities at board level for many Indian enterprises.
Your Questions, Answered
When does the DPDP Act come into full effect?
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act takes full effect in May 2027. Organisations that collect and process personal data of Indian citizens must comply with requirements for consent, data localisation and breach notification or face penalties of up to ₹250 crore.
What is the Veeam-DSCI partnership focused on?
The partnership focuses on four areas: capacity building, industry engagement, policy research and workforce development. It includes training programmes for students, women graduates and engineering graduates seeking cybersecurity careers.
How many Indian organisations are using AI agents?
According to Veeam research, 93 per cent of Indian organisations are already using or testing AI agents, with 44 per cent running them in production environments. However, 98 per cent report that data challenges have slowed their AI progress.
What are the workforce targets under Bharat CyberSuraksha?
The Bharat CyberSuraksha initiative targets 100 Centres of Excellence, 100,000 certifications and 25,000 job pathways into enterprise security roles across India.