As global macroeconomic conditions worsen and funding slows, Indian startups are cutting spending on a critical component of tech businesses—cloud storage—by renegotiating contracts with providers like AWS and Google Cloud, according to multiple startup founders who spoke to ET.
Many companies have reduced their cloud expenses by 20%-30%, while growth-stage startups such as ecommerce platforms Meesho and Dealshare have cut their cloud costs by 50% as they work to control cash burn.
In response, the top three cloud service providers—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure—are engaging in pricing wars to attract startups during this downturn. Over the past few months, several startups have been approached by AWS competitors offering lower prices, as confirmed by multiple founders in negotiations.
In some cases, founders are using quotes from Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure to renegotiate their contracts with AWS, their primary cloud service provider.
Cybersecurity ecosystem
The Data Security Council of India predicts that the cybersecurity ecosystem will expand to require nearly one million professionals by 2025. Additionally, the demand for cloud security skills is projected to grow by 115% between 2020 and 2025, creating almost 20,000 job openings, as noted by Narayan.
Staffing experts believe an extensive effort to reskill and upskill the existing workforce is essential for telcos to future-proof their operations. Indian mobile phone operators are expected to at least double their investments in network security as the rollout of 5G is anticipated to increase network vulnerabilities, especially critical for enterprises.
However, it is already challenging for telcos to maintain robust security teams. “Even without discussing 5G specifically, the availability of security talent in the country is currently very limited. We need to integrate more security professionals into the system,” stated an industry insider.
For instance, Bharti Airtel is preparing for the 5G rollout by upskilling its professionals and offering certification courses like CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) based on skill and eligibility, free of charge.
“Even if we do not talk about 5G (specifically), the security talent in general in the country is very sparse at the moment. We need to get more (security) professionals in the system”
Bharti Airtel, for example, has been preparing for 5G roll out by upskilling its professionals and offering them certification courses such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional). The courses are offered based on skill and eligibility level free of cost.
Great news!