In today’s digital era, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses of all sizes. However, Indian MSMEs often struggle to access enterprise-grade security solutions due to cost constraints, compliance requirements, and a lack of IT expertise. Recognizing this gap, Synersoft Technologies has been at the forefront of developing innovative, cost-effective cybersecurity solutions tailored to the unique needs of MSMEs.
In an exclusive conversation with Vishal Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Synersoft Technologies, we explore how their flagship product, BLACKbox, is revolutionizing MSME cybersecurity, the role of AI in combating cyber threats, and how collective models can make advanced security solutions more accessible.
1. Synersoft Technologies has been a strong advocate for MSME-focused cybersecurity solutions. How does your approach differ from traditional enterprise cybersecurity solutions, and how does it address the unique challenges MSMEs face?
Sixteen years ago, we noticed an unignorable gap in the market: Indian MSMEs were rapidly adopting digital technologies but lacked access to affordable and effective cybersecurity solutions. While large enterprises had the resources to invest in sophisticated tools, MSMEs were left exposed, struggling to protect their data from threats such as loss and theft. This put them at a significant disadvantage in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
To compound the issue, many Indian MSMEs face stringent data security compliance requirements, often mandated by larger or international clients. These compliance standards are critical for sustaining business relationships and accessing lucrative markets. However, the available solutions were either too expensive or overly complicated. Skilled IT professionals are needed to deploy and maintain such complex solutions, but MSMEs struggle to recruit and retain qualified IT professionals, as they often prefer to work with larger enterprises.
Recognizing this unmet need, we developed BLACKbox—a solution specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by MSMEs, such as affordability, compliance, scalability, and limited IT expertise. BLACKbox integrates multiple functionalities—File Server, Firewall, Storage Device, Domain Controller, Endpoint Controller, Mail Vigilance/Distribution System, VPN Server, and Productivity Monitoring—into a single, easy-to-use system. This approach simplifies cybersecurity for MSMEs, enabling them to focus on their core business operations.
What truly sets BLACKbox apart is its cost-effectiveness. It delivers enterprise-level data protection at a fraction of the cost of traditional solutions, making advanced cybersecurity accessible and manageable for MSMEs.
2. With AI playing an increasing role in cybersecurity, how is Synersoft Technologies leveraging AI to help MSMEs combat external threats like phishing and ransomware, despite the high costs and resource demands of AI-driven solutions?
As cyber threats grow more cunning, fueled by AI-powered tactics like phishing and ransomware, Synersoft Technologies is planning to harness artificial intelligence to keep MSMEs secure without the hefty price tag typically tied to such advanced tools. We’ve reengineered our approach to fit the realities of smaller businesses, blending cutting-edge tech with affordability.
Central to our strategy is the Zero Trust framework, a departure from outdated perimeter defenses that assume internal safety. With MSMEs increasingly operating in distributed environments—think remote teams and cloud systems—this old model falls flat. Zero Trust flips that logic, enforcing relentless verification for every user and device, no exceptions. BLACKbox puts this into action with real-time checks, tight access controls, and constant monitoring, slashing the odds of breaches from both outside hackers and insider risks.
We don’t stop there. To counter ransomware’s sting, we’ve built in forced data centralization and automatic backups. If an attack slips through, businesses can restore their files fast—no ransom required. Plus, our data loss prevention tools lock down sensitive info, stopping leaks before they start on zero trust approach.
Synersoft’s next competitive edge will be in making AI-driven security practical for MSMEs. We strip away the resource drain and deliver a solution that evolves with the threats, keeping small businesses resilient and ready.
3. Given that MSMEs often lack dedicated IT teams, how does Synersoft Technologies ensure that its cybersecurity solutions remain affordable, easy to use, and effective without requiring extensive technical expertise?
Small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India encounter significant hurdles in securing their data, primarily due to three major challenges:
- Compliance with Security Standards: Many MSMEs supply to large corporations or engage in international trade, requiring them to meet stringent data security regulations. Compliance is often a prerequisite for business approval, making it essential for MSMEs to implement robust security measures to maintain these critical relationships.
- Cost and Practicality: Most data security solutions in the market cater to large enterprises, making them expensive and overly complex for MSMEs. These businesses often struggle to find affordable and right-sized security solutions, forcing them to either overspend or compromise on security, which could impact their competitiveness.
- Lack of IT Expertise: Unlike large organizations with dedicated IT teams, MSMEs often lack skilled professionals to deploy and manage security solutions. Hiring and retaining IT talent is a challenge, leaving many businesses vulnerable due to ineffective or poorly maintained security systems.
Recognizing these challenges, BLACKbox offers a purpose-built cybersecurity solution designed specifically for MSMEs. Unlike traditional enterprise-grade security tools, BLACKbox provides a cost-effective and simplified approach that meets MSME requirements without unnecessary complexities.
Its plug-and-play architecture ensures effortless deployment, making advanced data security accessible even to businesses without in-house IT expertise. Additionally, BLACKbox is delivered as a managed service, eliminating the need for MSMEs to hire specialized IT personnel.
By providing an easy-to-use yet powerful security solution, BLACKbox enables MSMEs to achieve compliance, protect their data from leaks and breaches, and enhance their credibility with large clients—all without the financial or technical burdens of conventional enterprise security systems.
- Insider threats are a major concern for MSMEs. How does Synersoft’s approach, including Zero Trust policies and device hardening, help small businesses mitigate internal security risks?
MSMEs face a unique challenge when it comes to insider threats—while large enterprises rely on dedicated IT teams to monitor and respond to security risks, MSMEs often lack the resources for continuous surveillance. This makes preventive controls far more effective than reactive monitoring.
BLACKbox: Enforcing Security Through Controls
Unlike traditional Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions that rely on post-event reporting, BLACKbox takes a proactive approach by implementing strict control policies to prevent data leaks in real time. For instance:
- Users attempting to upload confidential files to external websites find that BLACKbox automatically isolates sensitive data, blocking unauthorized transfers.
- Removable storage devices like USB drives can be restricted or fully disabled to prevent data exfiltration.
- Email and cloud-sharing controls ensure that sensitive files cannot be attached or uploaded outside the organization.
These features provide MSMEs with hands-free data security, eliminating the need for costly monitoring teams while ensuring data integrity and compliance.
Zero-Trust Security for MSMEs
BLACKbox is built on Zero Trust principles, which assume that no user, device, or application should be trusted by default. Key Zero Trust measures include:
- Strict Access Verification: Every access request is authenticated and authorized before granting entry.
- Endpoint Hardening: Devices are equipped with antivirus protection, restricted application installations, and controlled network access to minimize vulnerabilities.
- VPN Enforcement: Secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage ensures that remote access remains encrypted and protected from cyber threats.
A Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Cybersecurity Solution
BLACKbox is an all-in-one security solution designed specifically for MSMEs, integrating multiple security functions—including File Server, Firewall, Endpoint Protection, Backup Server, and DLP— into a single, compact, and easy-to-manage system. This eliminates the hassle of procuring and
maintaining multiple IT tools, making enterprise-grade security accessible without requiring advanced IT expertise.
By combining Zero Trust security, device hardening, and real-time control policies, BLACKbox empowers MSMEs to prevent data breaches, meet compliance requirements, and protect their business from insider threats—all in an affordable and simplified manner.
- MSME associations have the potential to act as aggregators to make AI-driven cybersecurity more accessible. Is Synersoft Technologies exploring partnerships or collective models to provide cost-effective cybersecurity solutions at scale?
MSMEs often struggle to access AI-driven cybersecurity solutions due to high costs and resource limitations. While AI is highly effective in identifying patterns, predicting cyber threats, and
automating responses, its implementation requires significant investment—making it largely inaccessible to individual MSMEs.
This is where MSME associations can play a crucial role. By acting as aggregators, these associations can pool resources and negotiate with cybersecurity providers to offer cost effective, AI-powered security solutions at scale. This collective approach allows MSMEs to benefit from advanced threat detection and mitigation technologies without bearing the full financial burden individually.
At Synersoft Technologies, we recognize this opportunity and are actively exploring partnerships with MSME associations to deliver cybersecurity solutions that are both affordable and practical. Our approach focuses on:
- Zero Trust Security for Internal Threats: Rather than relying on complex AI, MSMEs can implement device hardening, forced data centralization, and strict access policies to minimize insider risks with a “maximum control, minimum monitoring” strategy.
- AI-Powered Defense for External Threats: Cyberattacks like ransomware, phishing, and hacking affect businesses of all sizes. MSMEs can leverage AI-driven cybersecurity as part of a shared ecosystem, where industry-wide threat intelligence is analyzed and used to strengthen defenses.
- Collaborative Cybersecurity Models: Through partnerships with industry bodies, Synersoft aims to provide cost-efficient cybersecurity solutions tailored for MSMEs, ensuring that even smaller businesses can access enterprise-grade protection.
By working collectively, MSMEs can overcome financial and technical barriers, making AI-driven cybersecurity a practical and scalable solution for their sector. Synersoft is committed to supporting these efforts, empowering MSMEs with the tools needed to enhance their cybersecurity posture and remain resilient against evolving cyber threats.
About the Respondent
Vishal Prakash Shah is the founder and CEO of Synersoft. He is known as a seasoned technology stalwart, an inventor of specific patented technologies, a writer, a serial entrepreneur, an investor, and, importantly, a “Go to Guy” for MSMEs.
