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CrowdStrike appoints Kartik Shahani as Vice President of India and SAARC

CrowdStrike has announced the appointment of Kartik Shahani as Vice President for India and SAARC. In this role, Shahani will spearhead CrowdStrike’s regional go-to-market strategy to drive growth and increase customer adoption of the CrowdStrike Falcon® cybersecurity platform. With over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Shahani is a seasoned leader known for successfully managing sales operations, formulating growth strategies, and enhancing profitability.

Prior to joining CrowdStrike, he was the Managing Director for India/SAARC at Tenable, where he played a key role in driving regional growth, securing customers across major BFSI sectors, and improving renewal rates. Shahani has also led regional sales efforts for prominent technology and cybersecurity firms like Dell EMC, IBM, and McAfee.

“We are excited to have Kartik on board and look forward to accelerating our growth in India and SAARC with his expertise,” said Geoff Swaine, Vice President of APJ Sales at CrowdStrike. “India and SAARC are vital markets for us as we expand globally, tapping into exceptional talent and connecting with customers throughout APJ. Under Kartik’s leadership, our team in India will continue to deliver the innovation and platform capabilities that our customers need to prevent breaches.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Shahani said, “I am thrilled to join CrowdStrike to lead the India and SAARC business. I look forward to enhancing our regional presence and enabling both current and potential customers to harness the power of the CrowdStrike Falcon platform to thwart adversaries.”

Shahani’s appointment comes at a time when CrowdStrike is making significant investments in the region, highlighted by the opening of a new, state-of-the-art, 52,000-square-foot office in Pune earlier this year.

Fortinet delivers unmatched flexibility and simplicity with new enhancements to its unified SASE solution

Fortinet has announced the addition of Sovereign SASE and generative AI (GenAI) capabilities to its unified SASE solution, furthering its commitment to delivering a comprehensive and flexible approach to secure network management. Fortinet’s Unified SASE solution integrates its Secure SD-WAN with cloud-delivered Security Service Edge (SSE) under a single console, allowing for seamless management, enhanced visibility, and robust security for hybrid networks.

Most Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions in the market today are fragmented, requiring multiple management consoles and agents, which leads to limited visibility and challenges in security enforcement. This complexity not only increases maintenance costs but also creates security gaps. Fortinet distinguishes itself by offering a truly unified SASE solution powered by a single operating system, management console, endpoint agent, and data lake. This integration allows for the effective unification of SD-WAN and SSE, providing all core SASE features along with the industry’s most flexible connectivity options, including access points and switches, and intelligent AI-driven capabilities for unified management, end-to-end digital experience monitoring (DEM), and consistent security policy enforcement with zero trust both on-premises and in the cloud.

The introduction of Sovereign SASE by Fortinet addresses the growing demand for data and cloud sovereignty, especially for organizations operating in highly regulated sectors such as finance, government, and healthcare. Sovereign SASE allows organizations to have local control over where their data is routed, where traffic is inspected, and where logs are stored. This ensures robust data privacy and compliance while enhancing security and flexibility for large enterprises and service providers. Customers have the flexibility to choose how their data is managed—whether directed to a Fortinet data centre, a partner facility, or their infrastructure while still benefiting from Fortinet’s full security stack.

Fortinet has also enhanced its Unified SASE solution with the integration of FortiAI, its GenAI assistant, into Secure SD-WAN. GenAI has become an essential tool for IT and cybersecurity teams, helping them make quicker, more informed decisions. With FortiAI, managing and orchestrating the entire SD-WAN infrastructure is more efficient, streamlining Day 0 through Day 2 operations, including visual and configuration assistance, consultation, and troubleshooting. This integration enables faster deployment and easier management of SD-WAN solutions, providing significant time savings for organizations.

Committed to continuous innovation, Fortinet regularly releases updates to its SASE solution to help organizations stay ahead of emerging threats. Recent updates include the addition of remote browser isolation (RBI) capabilities within the FortiSASE cloud-based management console, allowing organizations to protect sensitive data from web-borne threats by isolating user web browsing traffic. Enhanced network performance for on-demand full mesh networks and self-healing features that resolve issues in real-time have also been introduced, improving network resilience and performance. Additionally, native support for the System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) simplifies management by making users and groups created on identity providers directly accessible in the SASE portal, reducing the need for coordination between IT teams. Updates to Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) now offer seamless access to any application from any location, with an application catalogue that automates configurations, further enhancing security and simplifying administration.

These advancements underscore Fortinet’s dedication to providing a robust, scalable, and highly secure SASE solution tailored to meet the complex needs of modern hybrid network environments.

Clean Electric raises $6 million in funding from Info Edge Ventures, others

Clean Electric, known for its cutting-edge fast-charging battery technology for electric vehicles and grid storage solutions, has secured $6 million in a recent funding round led by Info Edge Ventures, Pi Ventures, and Kalaari Capital, with additional support from Lok Capital and other investors.

The funds will drive expansion in research and development, bolster sales and operations teams, and foster the creation of innovative products aimed at faster charging and enhanced renewable energy storage.

“Our focus is on overcoming key barriers to electric vehicle adoption. We’re working towards a future where the majority of vehicle sales are electric, not petrol or diesel,” said Akash Gupta, co-founder and CEO.

Founded in 2016 by IIT-BHU alumni Gupta, Abhinav Roy, and Ankit Joshi, the Pune-based startup offers proprietary rapid charging technology that can fully charge electric vehicles in under 12 minutes, compared to the current 40 minutes to over an hour.

Addressing convenience and cost challenges is crucial to driving the EV revolution, Gupta noted.

The company is collaborating with around 12 electric vehicle OEMs and aims to extend its technology to electric four-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

“We’ve successfully commercialized electric two-wheeler battery packs and are scaling up for electric three-wheelers. Our goal is to expand our solutions to electric four-wheelers and commercial vehicles in the next 12 to 18 months,” he added.

With an annual run rate (ARR) of $1.2-1.5 million, Clean Electric targets a near $10 million ARR by next September. The startup has now raised nearly $9 million in total.

Chinmaya Sharma, partner at Info Edge Ventures, commented on the investment: “There are still critical gaps in the electric mobility value chain, both passenger and commercial. Reliable, fast-charging batteries that maintain performance are a prime example. Clean Electric’s current products and technical capabilities position them to address this challenge on a national and potentially global scale.”

Amway Appoints Amrita Asrani as New Chief Marketing Officer

Amway, the US-based global direct-selling giant, has appointed Amrita Asrani as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Asrani brings extensive experience in the health, wellness, and sustainability sectors to her new role, where she will oversee the company’s marketing initiatives. Amway operates in over 100 countries and territories, offering products through a network of independent entrepreneurs, known as Amway Business Owners (ABOs). Its top-selling brands include Nutrilite, Artistry, and XS energy drinks.

Before joining Amway, Asrani served as the Global Brand Marketing Director for Fabric Care and Fashion at Reckitt, where she was instrumental in driving growth in direct-to-consumer (D2C) channels. Her achievements included launching the Vanish brand as a digital-first product in markets like China, India, and Japan.

Asrani’s career spans roles at Abbott Healthcare, ITC Limited, and GSK Consumer Healthcare, where she played a pivotal role in the health and wellness sectors. At ITC, she helped the company enter the health and wellness foods category, driving rapid adoption through strategic consumer segmentation. Her work at GSK involved overseeing the Global Wellness and Nutrition Portfolio for India, Dubai, and the Middle East.

With over a decade of expertise in senior marketing roles, Asrani is expected to lead Amway’s efforts in consumerizing health and wellness, with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. She aims to bring her passion for purpose-driven marketing to continue Amway’s leadership in the global direct selling industry.

Indian School of Business Ranks 6th in Linkedin Global MBA Ranking

The Indian School of Business (ISB) has achieved an impressive global ranking, placing sixth in LinkedIn’s Top MBA Programs for 2024. This accolade reflects an in-depth analysis of MBA alumni career outcomes, focusing on five key metrics: job placement success, career advancement opportunities, network strength, leadership potential, and gender diversity. The ranking highlights the top 100 business schools worldwide that excel in equipping their graduates for professional success

The evaluation of these MBA programs was conducted using data from LinkedIn, which scrutinized how well alumni fared in various aspects of their careers. ISB’s high position in this prestigious list underscores its effectiveness in preparing students for prominent roles in the business world. The comprehensive assessment reinforces the institution’s reputation for fostering career growth and leadership skills among its graduates.

Deepa Mani, Deputy Dean of Academic Programmes and Digital Learning at ISB, emphasized that the institute’s impact extends globally, with over 18,000 alumni holding significant leadership roles around the world. This substantial figure not only highlights the effectiveness of ISB’s MBA program but also its widespread influence in shaping successful business leaders across diverse industries.

One Million Kaspersky Customers in the US to Be Migrated to Alternative Security Software

Kaspersky is transitioning its US customers to a new security software solution. The company will automatically move around one million customers to UltraAV, a product from Pango Group, as part of their ongoing subscriptions.

The ban, effective from July 20, prohibited Kaspersky, a Russia-based cybersecurity firm, from selling its core products in the US. While current users have been able to continue using their software, updates will cease on September 29, making the switch to UltraAV timely.

Kaspersky addressed the situation, stating, “In light of recent US restrictions limiting the functionality of Kaspersky’s products, we have arranged a solution to ensure continued cybersecurity protection for our users.” The company confirmed that the transition to UltraAV will allow US customers to maintain their antivirus protection without interruption.

This move follows an investigation by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which cited Kaspersky’s connections to Russia as a national security risk. The BIS’s ban includes 81 Kaspersky products, though Kaspersky Threat Intelligence services, security training products, and consulting services are excluded.

Tata Technologies Appoints Geena Binoy as New Chief Human Resources Officer

Tata Technologies has announced the appointment of Geena Binoy as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, effective September 10. Binoy brings three decades of experience in the manufacturing and technology sectors to her new role.

Pawan Bhageria, who has played a key role in enhancing the company’s HR strategy in recent years, will shift his focus to expanding Tata Technologies’ education initiatives.

In her position, Binoy will lead efforts to cultivate a culture of learning, innovation, and inclusivity within the company. She will oversee talent management and development, supporting the company’s ambitious growth objectives. Binoy will also concentrate on engaging and developing the next generation of vehicle software engineers, aligning the HR strategy with the company’s future expansion goals.

Warren Harris, CEO & MD of Tata Technologies, expressed confidence that Binoy’s leadership will align the company’s people strategy with its growth ambitions. “Under Pawan’s leadership, we’ve built a strong foundation, and with Geena’s appointment, we’re poised to advance our culture and drive success,” Harris said.

Geena Binoy remarked, “It’s an honor to step into this role. I am eager to build on Pawan’s achievements and ensure our teams continue to thrive, innovate, and deliver outstanding results for our clients.”

Apple Launches Long-Awaited iPhone 16 Series with Enhanced Features

Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16 series in India and global markets, bringing significant upgrades to both the standard and Pro models. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come with various enhancements, expected to drive strong consumer interest. The iPhone 16 Pro series also introduces notable changes compared to previous versions. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 series will begin on September 13 in India, with sales starting on September 20 through Flipkart, Amazon, Apple’s official store, and other platforms.

In the US, the iPhone 16 starts at $799 (approximately Rs 67,000), while the iPhone 16 Plus is priced at $899 (around Rs 75,500). The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 (about Rs 83,870), and the iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at $1,199 (around Rs 1 lakh) for the 256GB variant. In India, the pricing begins at Rs 79,900 for the iPhone 16, Rs 89,900 for the iPhone 16 Plus, Rs 1,19,900 for the iPhone 16 Pro, and Rs 1,44,900 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are built with “aerospace-grade aluminum” and feature a color-infused back glass, available in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black. The devices come with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively, boasting up to 2000 nits of peak brightness and adaptive dimming for low-light environments. The introduction of the Action Button to the standard models allows users to access various features like voice memos or shortcuts, while new camera controls enable smoother photo and video captures.

The iPhone 16 features a 48-megapixel main camera that merges 48MP and 12MP images into a sharp 24MP photo, with a 2x telephoto zoom and enhanced low-light performance. Apple touts the device as offering four camera lenses in one, capable of capturing Spatial Video and Photos. Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered feature integrated into the standard models, enhances productivity with tools like email summarization, photo and video search, and Visual Intelligence for object recognition.

This series brings improvements in both hardware and AI-driven functionality, aiming to enhance user experience while maintaining data privacy, with Apple‘s commitment to private cloud computing and verifiable privacy assurances.

Worldline Launches ‘One Commerce’ Omnichannel Payments Platform in India at Global FinTech Fest 2024

Worldline has introduced its new omnichannel payments platform, ‘One Commerce,’ during the Global FinTech Fest 2024 in Mumbai, India. Aimed at providing businesses with seamless payment solutions across both online and offline channels, the platform is designed to offer a unified and consistent customer experience.

With One Commerce, businesses can streamline payment processes, reduce complexities, and ensure uniformity in customer interactions, addressing the challenge of managing multiple touchpoints during the sales process. The modular platform allows companies to integrate various payment methods, value-added services, and enhanced buying experiences across different channels.

Ramesh Narasimhan, CEO of Worldline India, stated, “As digitalization reshapes the business landscape, One Commerce will empower businesses to meet rising consumer demands by offering a comprehensive range of payment options, both domestic and international, while also providing risk and dispute management.”

Key benefits of One Commerce include unified visibility across channels, seamless transaction management, and innovative payment solutions like WhatsApp In-app, Insta QR, and Soundbox. The platform is expected to benefit sectors such as travel, government services, eCommerce, retail, and subscription-based services.

IBM to Shift R&D Operations Out of China, Expanding Presence in India

Following the footsteps of several U.S. companies, IBM has decided to scale back its research and development operations in China. In a virtual meeting held in late August, the company informed its China-based employees of the decision, which marks a significant shift after decades of engagement in the region. IBM plans to limit its R&D presence in China while expanding its operations in India, although it remains unclear how many employees will be offered relocation opportunities.

IBM originally established its Chinese R&D operations around 25 years ago, viewing the country as a key growth market. The company became a significant player in China’s telecommunications sector, serving major Chinese banks and energy companies. However, declining revenues over the past two years and rising competition from local firms have eroded IBM’s business in China.

Though the company’s leadership framed the move as part of a global consolidation to enhance client service, rising labor costs, growing competition from Chinese firms, and increasing government scrutiny have likely contributed to the decision. Beijing’s push to replace foreign technology with domestic alternatives and the U.S. government’s intensified scrutiny of firms operating in China, especially in strategic sectors like AI, have further complicated the business environment.

IBM now joins a growing list of American corporations, including Apple, Dell, Intel, and Nike, that have either reduced or entirely exited their operations in China, often relocating to other parts of Asia. With global tensions between Washington and Beijing on the rise, companies are facing increasing challenges in maintaining their presence in the Chinese market.

Tags: ChinaIBM

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