Cybersecurity-as-a-Service; the next wave of digital trust

As enterprises embrace AI, cloud, and connected ecosystems, cybersecurity has become both a strategic priority and a shared responsibility. OpenText, a global leader in information management, is reimagining cybersecurity through an integrated, AI-driven, and service-based model. In this conversation with Dataquest, Roshan Dsouza, Director Sales, India, OpenText, and Steve Starvidis, Sales Leader, APAC, OpenText, discuss the company’s vision for Cybersecurity-as-a-Service, the evolving threat landscape, the role of AI, and how India is emerging as a global innovation and delivery hub.

Cybersecurity-as-a-Service is gaining momentum as enterprises seek scalable, end-to-end protection. How is OpenText approaching this model?

Steve: The cybersecurity challenge today is no longer about isolated tools; it’s about having a cohesive strategy that adapts to new threats in real time. Our Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) approach integrates endpoint protection, network defence, threat intelligence, and incident response into a unified service model.

By leveraging automation, AI, and analytics, we provide proactive protection instead of reactive defence. Our customers can subscribe to a service that continuously evolves, ensuring their cybersecurity posture is always current. This model brings agility, scalability, and operational efficiency, which are critical as attack surfaces expand.

What kind of challenges are organisations facing in adopting this service-driven cybersecurity model?

Steve: The biggest challenge is the complexity of the environment. Most organisations have accumulated multiple security tools over the years, one for identity, another for endpoint, and something else for data protection. Managing these fragmented systems is expensive and inefficient.

Our goal is to simplify that complexity. We bring integration and intelligence through our Cybersecurity Cloud. The idea is to give enterprises visibility, control, and assurance, all through a single pane of glass.

Roshan: Another key challenge is talent. Many organisations, especially SMEs, struggle to maintain skilled cybersecurity teams. That’s where the “as-a-service” model adds real value. OpenText’s managed approach means customers can rely on our experts for monitoring, threat analysis, and response while focusing on their core business.

India has become a critical market for digital transformation. How significant is India in OpenText’s global cybersecurity strategy?

Roshan: India plays a dual role; it’s a growing market and a global centre of excellence for OpenText. On one hand, we’re seeing accelerated demand from Indian enterprises, particularly in banking, healthcare, and manufacturing, where digital ecosystems are expanding rapidly.

On the other hand, India contributes deeply to our R&D and innovation. Our teams here are developing AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities, working on next-generation automation, and supporting global customers across time zones. India is not just a delivery location, it’s a strategic innovation hub shaping our global security vision.

You mentioned AI-driven capabilities. How is OpenText embedding artificial intelligence into its cybersecurity offerings?

Steve: AI is at the core of our strategy. The scale of cyber threats today is impossible for humans alone to manage; millions of data points, signals, and anomalies appear every second. AI helps us analyse patterns, detect suspicious behaviour, and even predict potential attacks before they happen.

Our AI models are trained on vast global telemetry data and continuously refined. They help in identifying zero-day attacks, automating response actions, and reducing false positives. Essentially, AI enables faster, smarter, and more autonomous defence.

We’re also using AI to make cybersecurity more user-centric. For example, our AI systems learn from user behaviour, what’s normal, what’s unusual, and help security teams focus on anomalies that really matter. This dramatically improves efficiency and reduces alert fatigue.

With AI advancing rapidly, what steps is OpenText taking to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI in cybersecurity?

Steve: That’s a very important aspect of our work. AI brings immense power, but it must be guided by human oversight, transparency, and governance. At OpenText, we have strict frameworks to ensure our AI models are explainable, compliant, and free from bias.

We never let automation make unilateral decisions in high-impact scenarios. The “human-in-the-loop” principle remains essential; AI assists our analysts, but people remain accountable.

I would add that cybersecurity is not just about protection, it’s about trust. Ethical AI practices are part of how we sustain that trust. Our customers know their data is handled securely, and our models operate with integrity.

How do you see the SME segment evolving in the context of cybersecurity adoption, particularly in India?

Roshan: SMEs are increasingly digitising, adopting cloud, SaaS applications, and connected systems, which makes them attractive targets for attackers. However, they often lack the infrastructure or teams to manage complex security environments.

That’s why our Cybersecurity-as-a-Service model is so relevant. We’re giving SMEs access to enterprise-grade security in a subscription-based, scalable model. It removes barriers to entry and helps level the playing field.

Our goal is to make advanced cybersecurity accessible, not just to large enterprises, but to every business that’s part of India’s digital economy.

What’s next for OpenText in India and globally?

Roshan: In India, we’re expanding our cybersecurity portfolio and deepening our partner ecosystem. We’re also scaling our managed security operations and investing in local innovation to serve both domestic and global markets.

Steve: Globally, we’re continuing to build an integrated cybersecurity platform that can serve organisations of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. Our focus is on enabling digital trust, which is foundational to every business transformation today.