Commenting on the growing challenge, entrepreneur Afroz Fatta said businesses should recognise that cyber threats have evolved alongside technological innovation.

"Artificial Intelligence has become a powerful business tool, but it has also made cyber threats faster, more targeted and increasingly difficult to detect. Companies need to prepare for this new reality," he said.

AI Is Reshaping the Cybersecurity Landscape

From financial institutions and healthcare providers to manufacturing companies and retail businesses, organisations across India are rapidly embracing AI-powered technologies to improve productivity and customer experience.

However, industry experts warn that the same technologies are enabling attackers to automate phishing campaigns, generate convincing fake communications and identify vulnerabilities at a much faster pace.

According to Afroz Hasan Fatta, businesses should treat cybersecurity as a strategic business function rather than a technical responsibility handled only by IT teams.

"Every organisation investing in AI should invest equally in governance, employee awareness and cyber preparedness," he noted.

Why Boards Need to Pay Attention

Cybersecurity discussions are increasingly moving from server rooms to boardrooms.

Business leaders today face risks that extend beyond data loss. A major cyber incident can interrupt operations, damage customer confidence, attract regulatory scrutiny and result in significant financial losses.

Afroz Fatta believes executive leadership should play an active role in reviewing cyber risks, business continuity plans and digital governance policies.

He says organisations that regularly assess their cyber readiness are generally better prepared to respond to evolving threats than those relying only on reactive security measures.

Employees Continue to Be the First Line of Defence

While companies continue investing in advanced security technologies, experts maintain that employee awareness remains one of the most effective ways to reduce cyber risk.

Many successful attacks still begin with phishing emails, compromised passwords or social engineering attempts.

According to Fatta, regular employee training, clear reporting mechanisms and leadership involvement can significantly strengthen an organisation's cyber resilience.

"Technology alone cannot protect a business if people are not prepared to recognise emerging threats," he said.

Business Growth and Cybersecurity Must Go Together

India's digital economy continues to expand rapidly, creating new opportunities for businesses across sectors. Cloud computing, AI-driven automation and digital platforms are helping companies improve efficiency and reach new markets.

However, experts believe digital growth should always be accompanied by stronger cybersecurity practices.

Afroz Hasan Fatta said organisations should integrate cybersecurity into their overall business strategy rather than treating it as an afterthought.

He added that investments in technology should be matched by investments in governance, risk management and workforce capability.

Looking Ahead

As AI continues to influence every aspect of business, cybersecurity is expected to remain one of the defining issues for enterprises over the coming years.

Industry observers believe organisations that combine innovation with responsible governance and proactive cyber preparedness will be better positioned to earn customer trust and sustain long-term growth.

For Afroz Fatta, the message is straightforward: businesses that prepare today will be better equipped to compete tomorrow.

"Digital transformation and cybersecurity should move together. Sustainable growth depends not only on innovation, but also on the ability to protect the systems, people and data that support every modern enterprise," he concluded.