CIOInsider India Magazine

Ravi Shankar R is the CEO and Founder of Proxelera, with over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor, systems, and software industry. He leads a team of 250+ engineers across India and the USA, driving silicon and software innovation in AI, automotive, wireless, high-performance computing, and silicon-based security solutions. Under his leadership, Proxelera delivers advanced semiconductor IP/products and partners with global industry leaders to accelerate next-generation chip development.

India's cybersecurity spending is projected to reach $3.4 billion in 2026, driven by a 30 percent increase in security budgets as 64 percent of organizations identify AI-enabled attacks as their biggest data security concern. As artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor technologies, and connected infrastructure continue to evolve, cybersecurity has become a critical priority for organizations and nations worldwide.

In this exclusive interview with CIO Insider, Ravi Shankar R, CEO & Founder, Proxelera, shares his perspective on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, the growing importance of AI-powered surveillance, hardware-level security, and the need for indigenous semiconductor solutions. He also discusses the role of innovation in building secure technologies, and Proxelera's vision for advancing silicon-based security solutions to address future cybersecurity challenges.

Q. What are the biggest cybersecurity threats facing AI-powered surveillance systems today, and how can they be mitigated?
A. AI depends on the continuous movement of large volumes of data between devices and cloud infrastructure. Many AI applications process requests in the cloud, meaning sensitive personal or even nationally significant data may be transmitted beyond the user's device.

Data moving across networks includes both content, such as images and documents, and command instructions that operate critical infrastructure like airports, factories, railways, and defense systems. As digital infrastructure expands, protecting both data and command networks has become increasingly important to safeguard against evolving cybersecurity threats.

Developed countries generally face greater cyber threats because they possess more valuable digital assets, making them attractive targets for hackers. Recognizing these growing risks, researchers are preparing for the next cybersecurity challenge: quantum computing.

Once quantum computers become widely accessible, encryption methods that currently take weeks to break could potentially be compromised within seconds. To counter this threat, researchers have developed post-quantum cryptographic algorithms designed to withstand quantum-enabled attacks.

The government is expected to introduce regulations requiring critical command-and-control systems and sensitive data transmissions to adopt post-quantum security standards. These protections will increasingly be embedded directly into silicon chips, reducing dependence on software-based security.

Q. How important is hardware-level security in preventing cyberattacks on surveillance infrastructure?
A. Hardware-based security is more robust than relying solely on software-based protection. Skilled hackers can quickly exploit software vulnerabilities using well-known techniques, while threats such as rootkits can remain hidden for months, silently collecting information before launching an attack. Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including manufacturing plants, airports, and other sensitive facilities, highlight the limitations of software-only security.

By embedding security directly into silicon, hardware-based protection provides stronger resistance against attacks. It also prevents rollback attacks, where hackers attempt to install outdated OS/firmware versions containing known vulnerabilities.

Silicon-rooted secure firmware update logic and anti-rollback mechanisms ensure only authorized firmware can be installed. Hardware security is equally important for unmanned systems such as drones, enabling remote data wipe capabilities if devices are captured or enter hostile territory. These advantages are driving many countries to adopt a hardware-first security approach, strengthening digital infrastructure and making cyberattacks significantly more difficult to execute.

Q. As surveillance systems become increasingly AI-driven, how can organizations strike the right balance between public safety and data privacy?
A. Privacy and AI security are expected to become major concerns as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life. For example, while CCTV cameras improve security in public places, they could also unintentionally capture sensitive information, such as details displayed on a smartphone during a UPI payment. This highlights the need to balance public safety with individual privacy through stronger safeguards and regulations governing data collection and use.

Another challenge is the misuse of AI to perform harmful activities. To address these risks, future AI-enabled devices are expected to adopt role-based access controls and hardware-based biometric authentication using fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans apart from password protection alone. Organizations may also rely on trusted identity servers to strengthen security.

The government is expected to introduce stricter regulations to protect digital content and critical infrastructure, while AI developers continue implementing safeguards to prevent misuse as technology continues to evolve.

Also Read: Why Cybersecurity is Everyone's Job

Q. How can locally designed semiconductor solutions reduce India's dependence on foreign technology and enhance trust in critical surveillance infrastructure?
A. Achieving complete independence from foreign technology will take time because India entered the semiconductor ecosystem later than several other countries. However, I believe we are making steady progress, particularly in surveillance and cybersecurity. At our company, we focus on securing the entire connected infrastructure covering critical infrastructure, industrial OT network, tactical communications and drone / military equipment communication, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult.

One of the biggest advantages of developing technologies in India is transparency. When products are designed and built domestically, government agencies can review their architecture and security design whenever required. This level of visibility is often difficult to achieve with foreign technologies. I also believe cybersecurity extends beyond hardware to the entire digital ecosystem, including cloud platforms where data is stored, processed, and transmitted. Greater control over this ecosystem helps organizations understand where their data resides and implement measures such as geo-fencing when necessary.

Consumers also need to be more aware of data privacy, as many share personal information for discounts without understanding how it may be used. At the same time, cyber warfare is becoming a critical national security concern, with attacks increasingly targeting critical infrastructure. I believe India should continue strengthening its technological sovereignty by developing and controlling key security technologies domestically.

Although we have the capability to establish operations overseas, we have chosen to build these technologies in India because we are committed to supporting the country's long-term security, innovation, and trusted digital infrastructure.

Also Read: AI-Human Synergy: Redefining the Future of IT Jobs

Q. What is really hindering India from becoming a global semiconductor leader—is it a shortage of talent or other factors, and how can India bridge that gap?
A. India has no shortage of engineering talent or chip design expertise. In my view, the real challenge is building a complete semiconductor ecosystem. While we have made significant progress in chip design, areas such as manufacturing, supply chains, advanced packaging, testing, and local technology development are still evolving. The focus should now shift beyond design to strengthening every part of the semiconductor value chain.

We need to expand manufacturing capacity, improve packaging and testing infrastructure, and build a strong network of domestic suppliers, technology partners, and research institutions. Another key requirement is attracting more original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and encourage them to design complete products in India for local consumption and exports. If global companies collaborate more closely with Indian semiconductor firms while manufacturing products in India, it would create stronger demand for locally designed chips and accelerate innovation.

Building these capabilities will require sustained investment, supportive government policies, and collaboration between industry, academia, and technology providers. I believe India has all the fundamental strengths needed to become a major semiconductor hub. By strengthening manufacturing, packaging, testing, supply chains, and OEM partnerships, India can reduce its dependence on imports, enhance technological self-reliance, and establish itself as a globally competitive semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse.

Q. What leadership principles guide your approach to leading your team?
A. At Proxelera, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We have built a culture where research, continuous learning, and technological advancement are encouraged across every level of the organization. I believe innovation is not limited to a dedicated research team; it should be part of every employee's mindset. That is why we encourage our teams to stay updated with the latest global technology trends and continuously explore new ideas.

As an AI-first company, we integrate artificial intelligence into our day-to-day problem-solving process. We have developed internal AI systems that help our teams analyze complex challenges, generate possible solutions, and evaluate the advantages and limitations of different approaches. This enables our engineers and business teams to make informed decisions, improve productivity, and accelerate innovation.

Continuous learning is another key pillar of our culture. We encourage employees to embrace emerging technologies, expand their technical expertise, and contribute innovative ideas. At the same time, we empower them to take ownership of projects and play a more strategic role in solving customer challenges.

Our collaborative approach extends beyond our own organization. We work closely with partners such as StraitsMicro, where our engineering teams actively participate in product design, define technical specifications, and contribute throughout the product development lifecycle. We do not see ourselves as just a technology vendor; we strive to be a strategic innovation partner for our customers.

We also believe in giving employees the autonomy to make decisions and take responsibility for their work. Whether they are engineers or part of our business teams, everyone is encouraged to think independently and focus on creating meaningful value for customers.

Above all, we maintain a customer-first philosophy. I strongly believe our success is ultimately a by-product of our customers' success. By helping them achieve their goals through innovative and secure technologies, we build lasting relationships and create sustainable growth for both our customers and our organization.

Also Read: Powering India's AI Revolution Through Domestic Infrastructure

Q. What roadmap have you envisioned for the company over the next five years?
A. Our mission at Proxelera is very clear—we are focused on building security on silicon, and we intend to continue advancing technologies in this space. I believe cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field where innovation never stops. As hackers develop increasingly sophisticated attack techniques, security innovators must continuously create stronger, more resilient solutions. It is an ongoing race between attackers and defenders, and that constant challenge drives us to innovate.

Our goal is to provide advanced hardware-based security technologies to organizations that place cybersecurity at the center of their products and operations, including partners such as Straits Micro. In addition to developing intellectual property (IP) blocks that customers can integrate into their semiconductor chips, we are also building our own dedicated security chip.

This is not an application-specific chip designed for a single product or industry. Instead, we are developing it as a standalone security platform that can be integrated into a wide range of electronic devices and systems. By embedding security directly into hardware, we aim to provide stronger protection across industries, from critical infrastructure and surveillance to banking, fintech, and other connected technologies.

We are making steady progress in the design and development of this security-focused semiconductor, and I am optimistic about what lies ahead. Based on our current customer engagements, order pipeline, and growing market interest, I believe Proxelera is well positioned to emerge as one of India's leading semiconductor companies over the next five years.

Our ambitions extend well beyond India. We are already engaging with potential international customers and exploring opportunities to expand our presence in global markets. I am confident that many of these discussions will translate into long-term commercial partnerships. Through technology licensing, silicon-based security solutions, and continuous innovation, we aim to establish Proxelera as a globally recognized leader in hardware security and a trusted contributor to the international semiconductor and cybersecurity ecosystem.