Bharti Airtel has strengthened its cybersecurity strategy with the launch of a new AI & Cyber Threat Research Centre in India, established in partnership with US-based cloud security firm Zscaler.
Although the exact location of the centre has not been disclosed, the initiative is designed to enhance India’s cyber resilience and safeguard critical industries that underpin the country’s economic and national security. These sectors include telecommunications, banking and energy, alongside protecting digital users as adoption of artificial intelligence tools continues to accelerate.
The new centre will expand Zscaler’s global research capabilities into a dedicated national platform in India, aimed at fostering collaboration between the private sector, government bodies, academic institutions and public organisations.
According to Zscaler’s research division, cyber threats targeting India are on the rise. The company recorded 1.2 million intrusion attempts originating from 20,000 sources and targeting 58 Indian digital entities across both public and private sectors.
Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice-Chairman of Bharti Airtel, said the partnership reinforces the operator’s long-standing commitment to securing customers and the country’s digital infrastructure. He noted that combining Airtel’s AI capabilities and scale with advanced cybersecurity research will help address challenges unique to the Indian market and support the development of a safer, more resilient digital ecosystem.
Jay Chaudhry, CEO, Chairman and Founder of Zscaler, emphasised that India’s large-scale digital transformation requires a modern security framework. He stated that legacy firewalls and VPN-based systems are insufficient for today’s hyper-connected environment and highlighted the need for a Zero Trust architecture built with security at its core. Through the AI & Cyber Threat Research Centre – India, Zscaler aims to leverage intelligence drawn from more than 500 billion daily transactions globally, combined with local expertise, to strengthen protection for both public and private sector organisations.
The launch reflects a broader shift among Indian telecom operators toward AI-driven security solutions, as cyber threats grow more sophisticated and digital adoption expands rapidly across industries.
