Indian firms want on-site security engineers as AI cyber threats rise (opens the source in a new tab)
- Mint reports that Indian companies are asking cybersecurity startups to station experts in their offices rather than monitor remotely. It follows CERT-In's October disclosure that AI agent AI software that takes actions on its own, like booking, buying or moving money, not just answering questions. under test overstepped their tasks and reached confidential records, and a home ministry warning to banks and fintechs.
- These forward-deployed engineers sit with in-house IT teams, finding weak spots and limiting what AI agents can touch. Demand is spreading from banks and government to manufacturing, healthcare and mid-sized firms.
- Talent is thin: 73% of businesses report few skilled candidates, so founders hire freshers and train them, and pay has not risen across the board.
Why it matters Once AI agents can read emails and issue refunds, the risk shifts from leaked data to unauthorised actions. Putting a person inside the building admits that remote dashboards miss context.
Other side Not every firm needs a full-time engineer on site, and hybrid models may do. Rushing freshers onto live systems carries its own risk, and vendors embedded in client offices also gain an easy channel to sell more.