In a significant move to bolster its global cybersecurity capabilities, IT services giant Cognizant has officially opened its largest Cyber Defence Centre (CDC) in Bengaluru, India. This state-of-the-art facility is engineered to provide advanced, AI-powered, and platform-centric managed cybersecurity services to its extensive global clientele. The launch marks a pivotal expansion of Cognizant's international network of security operations, positioning Bengaluru as a central hub in its strategy to combat the increasingly complex and AI-driven threats facing modern enterprises. The center is designed to be more than a traditional security operations hub; it is a nerve center for proactive threat hunting, real-time monitoring, and rapid incident response, operating on a 24/7 basis to support clients across all industries and geographies.[1][2]

The new Cyber Defence Centre is a direct response to the evolving threat landscape, where the proliferation of cloud adoption, remote work, and sophisticated, AI-enabled attacks has rendered traditional defensive postures inadequate.[2] Cognizant's CEO, Ravi Kumar S, emphasized this shift, stating, "Cybersecurity is entering a new era where hyper-connected enterprises and AI-driven threats outpace traditional defences." He further noted that the Bengaluru center reflects the company's commitment to delivering intelligence-led cybersecurity engineering and operation services that enable clients to predict, prevent, and mitigate advanced threats.[1] This proactive and predictive approach is at the core of the CDC's operational philosophy, moving beyond reactive security models to anticipate and neutralize threats before they can impact a client's business.[2] The facility is staffed by a team of experienced cybersecurity professionals and includes an integrated threat research lab that will work in concert with Cognizant's strategic technology partners to study emerging attack patterns and refine defensive strategies.[1][2]

At the heart of the Bengaluru CDC's technological prowess is a multi-layered architecture that integrates Cognizant's proprietary innovations with platforms from leading technology partners.[1] A key component is the Cognizant Neuro® Cybersecurity platform, an AI-powered suite designed to provide a holistic view of security threats by integrating and orchestrating disparate point solutions across an enterprise's security stack.[3][4] This AI-enabled platform addresses the common enterprise challenges of tool proliferation and fragmented security systems by creating a unified management interface for real-time decision-making.[4][5] The Neuro® Cybersecurity platform leverages advanced AI algorithms and machine learning models for predictive analytics, automated threat detection, and intelligent orchestration of incident response.[6] According to Shambhulingayya Aralelemath, Vice President and Global Head of Cognizant's cybersecurity practice, this integration of AI and natural language processing enhances efficiency, improves threat detection and response, and streamlines compliance, providing a robust and adaptive security solution.[6] The platform's capabilities include the aggregation of security alerts to reduce complexity, unified management for a holistic view of threats, and advanced threat intelligence to empower IT teams to mitigate risks more effectively.[3][4]

Further strengthening its service delivery, Cognizant has cultivated a strong ecosystem of strategic partners. Collaborations with industry leaders like Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Rubrik are integral to the services offered from the Bengaluru CDC. These partnerships allow Cognizant to deliver managed offerings that leverage AI-powered security platforms for network security, cloud security, and security operations. For instance, the collaboration with CrowdStrike combines the AI-native Falcon platform with Cognizant's Neuro® Cybersecurity platform to help clients streamline security operations and consolidate legacy point products. Similarly, partnerships with other leading tech companies ensure that the CDC is equipped with a comprehensive and best-of-breed technology stack to address a wide array of cyber threats. This partner-centric approach is a cornerstone of Cognizant's strategy to provide clients with the most advanced and effective security solutions available.

Recognizing that technology alone is insufficient to combat the evolving threat landscape, the Bengaluru Cyber Defence Centre is also a hub for talent development. Cognizant has established partnerships with leading academic institutions to cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.[1][7] While specific Bengaluru-based university partnerships for this center have not been detailed, Cognizant has a history of collaborating with academic institutions, such as its partnership with Symbiosis Skills and Professional University in Pune, to develop cybersecurity talent.[7] The new center in Bengaluru will serve as a training ground, offering hands-on operational experience combined with structured learning programs.[1] This focus on building a sustainable talent pipeline is crucial in a market like India, which has a significant and growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The initiative also aligns with Cognizant's broader commitment to skills development in India, including recent discussions with the Indian Prime Minister on advancing education to enhance AI capabilities and productivity.

The establishment of this major Cyber Defence Centre in Bengaluru has significant implications for both Cognizant and the broader AI and cybersecurity landscape in India. For Cognizant, it represents a substantial investment in its cybersecurity practice and a strategic move to leverage India's vast technology talent pool to serve its global clients. The center reinforces Bengaluru's status as a critical global hub for advanced technology and cybersecurity work. More broadly, the move is indicative of a larger trend of global technology services firms expanding their AI and cybersecurity operations in India. This influx of investment and focus on advanced technologies is expected to further fuel the growth of the cybersecurity ecosystem in the country, creating new job opportunities and fostering innovation. The emphasis on AI-driven security also highlights the critical role that artificial intelligence is now playing in the fight against cybercrime, a trend that is likely to accelerate in the coming years.

In conclusion, Cognizant's new Cyber Defence Centre in Bengaluru is a forward-looking initiative that addresses the pressing need for advanced, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions in an increasingly hostile digital world. By combining cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to talent development, Cognizant is not only enhancing its own service offerings but also contributing to the growth of India's cybersecurity capabilities. The center's focus on proactive threat intelligence and automated response, all powered by the Cognizant Neuro® Cybersecurity platform, positions it as a critical asset for global enterprises seeking to build resilience against the sophisticated cyber threats of the future. As this new facility becomes fully operational, it will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of cybersecurity service delivery, both in India and around the globe.