1. Security has become very important for smartphones and tablets as a lot of financial transactions are now happening through these devices. In such a scenario, how is your organization looking at this segment?
Anti-virus market in India is witnessing constant growth and this will be further fueled by the growing smartphone, hand held devices and IOT. As far as the emerging trends are concerned, online activities by individual users and proliferation of BYOD devices at corporate networks will increase the security risk and will further drive the security market. The growing trends of mobile computing, big data, virtualization, cloud services and social networking continue to be the emerging IT trends of 2016. The biggest driver of growth will be in the mobility space. Hence, we are already have our Mobile & Tablet Security software for Android and Mobile Security for iPhones & iPads. We are already receiving great feedback and further user needs from the industry and end-users.
2. What are the top concerns of this segment that you trying to address?
The major concern areas are slow adoption rate of security products in the mobility sector, due to low or lack of awareness, among individual users. Whereas at the enterprise and corporate levels, the adoption is increasing due to BYOD and more hand held devices logging in to the network from unsecured Wi-Fi networks etc. However, in the enterprise and corporate segments too there are few apprehensions about making quick decisions.
At eScan, we are constantly educating and engaging our users, customers and partners to increase the usage of multi-prolonged approach for networks and individuals. We also encourage users with free trial offers of our mobility products to increase user experience.
3. What is your go to market strategy to push your smart-device security solutions in India?
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policy has forced IT heads to seriously look into Smartphone/ Tablet users in Organization Network against all possible data thefts, identity breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive records. Not only Corporates, but SMBs are also concerned about network security and prevention from any malware attack. Even Home Users in a Smart City are also concerned about all kinds of privacy breaches that can happen through their personal phones or other devices. Since all personal data including sensitive details like banking or financial information are stored in a phone, thus giving robust protection to those data is very important. In order to mitigate the new emerging threats specifically targeting BYOD users, eScan has now come up with security solutions for Mobiles and Tablets (both Android & iOS) in order to answer the needs and provide security to this sector. Our strategy for these products also includes education, engagement and user experience to win our customers.
4. Are you looking at partnering with device manufacturers in India? Please share more details?
Yes, we are exploring and open to such partnerships. Globally we have few successful ties ups with device manufacturers. We have both complete or stand alone modules available for OEM bundling.
5. Where are the big growth opportunities in this segment and how do you plan to target these?
Mobility, Smart cities and IoT are the next growth opportunities. Though slow adaptation and lack of adequate technological awareness are still some of the hindrances which IT security market is facing, yet ‘Digital India’ campaign and ‘Smart City’ developments are accelerating the growth opportunities. Our R&D team is already working on the challenges expected from these places.
6. What are the challenges that you are facing today? How do you plan to tackle these challenges?
Some of the challenges that we are facing today are –
Privacy Concerns: Organizations and individual users always look for privacy of their data and details incorporated in their smart devices. Any kind of compromise to those records can result in multiple online hazards.
Low Awareness: Lack of awareness is one of the biggest challenges we are facing in the IT security market. Many users are still not aware of the possible identity thefts that might happen without their knowledge. Proper IT Security alertness can keep them digitally secured.
Data breaches: Data breach is another big threat that organizations face mainly due to BYOD policy and other easily accessible networks. In order to restrain this, the employees and IT administrators need to have a proper Security system installed in the network.
Online frauds: Online crooks are always ready with their evil intensions to hack personal, financial and other sensitive details from vulnerable networks. The victim can be any individual user or even a corporate organization.
Moreover, though the rate of piracy is being dissolved gradually, yet it still poses as a serious issue. If our customer unknowingly gets the pirated version of the software and faces any issues while using it, then we are losing a genuine customer. In addition, customers cannot fall back for any support services from such free or low cost products. With continuous advancements in the IT landscape, the need to protect networks and all related digital devices from evolving cyber security threats has led to an increase in the demand of IT security software. In the year 2015-2016, eScan expects an escalated growth curve in the IT security industry.
7. Please share some of the innovations that you are bringing to the market?
Currently eScan is chalking out the future plans with the following perspectives:
Fortifying Smart Cities: We are focusing on the concerns related to Privacy, Network/ Data Security and detection/ prevention of inconsistencies to ensure 24×7 availability of all kinds of digital services that make smart cities. Proper security to this digital world can ensure an ideal smart city for next generation. Providing Free Anti-Virus to Mobile Security for Android and iOS users are also on the cards. We are creating several attractive schemes for the dealers and resellers too.
ICT (Information and Computing Technologies) & IoT (Internet of Things): ICT (Information and Computing Technologies) and IoT (Internet of Things) are an integral part of Smart Cities and we have extended the security umbrella to IoT with Security Intelligence Analytics and ensure Network/ Data integrity round the clock.