Speaking to CNBC-TV18 on the evolving digital landscape, Chaudhary praised India’s technological advancements but emphasised the growing need for robust cybersecurity measures.
Chaudhary commended India’s strides in digital transformation, citing initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI as groundbreaking technologies that have propelled the country ahead of many global counterparts. However, he highlighted that increased digitisation comes with heightened vulnerabilities.
“The bad guys go where the action is,” Chaudhary remarked, pointing out that cybercriminals exploit digital growth to execute ransomware attacks, steal intellectual property, and target critical infrastructure. “For India as a country, its critical infrastructure is a big threat,” he added, underlining the urgency to secure national assets against malicious actors.
Founded in 2008, Zscaler has become a major player in cybersecurity, protecting 45% of Fortune 500 companies. Chaudhary revealed significant investments in India, where the company employs nearly 40% of its global workforce and serves some of the largest Indian firms.
“Our compounded annual growth has been around 50% or higher in the past five years,” Chaudhary noted, emphasising Zscaler’s commitment to expanding operations in India. The company’s extensive presence includes software development, cloud operations, and customer support.
Highlighting the alignment between India and the United States on strategic interests, Chaudhary expressed confidence in the two nations’ ability to collaborate on cybersecurity challenges. Despite potential trade tensions, he believes their shared priorities will foster continued cooperation.
Watch accompanying video for entire conversation.