Identity-First Security VARs Leading the Way

As the digital landscape grows more intricate, tech companies are transforming their cybersecurity strategies to combat increasingly sophisticated threats. The evolution from Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Zero Trust frameworks and now to identity-first security marks a significant paradigm shift in addressing modern challenges. Leading this transformation are Value-Added Resellers (VARs) and Channel Partners, who play a crucial role in helping organizations adopt these advanced approaches.

The rise of Generative AI has further reshaped operational and security landscapes, emphasizing the need for robust identity security measures. This strategy extends beyond static user verification, focusing instead on continuous monitoring and dynamic access controls. By utilizing advanced analytics and machine learning, identity-first security frameworks evaluate user behaviour, contextual data, and risk levels in real-time, enabling proactive responses to emerging threats.

For VARs, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. They must align their offerings with identity-focused security principles while navigating hurdles in implementation and client readiness. Industry leaders highlight the critical need for adaptability and innovation as they guide organizations through this transition.

As organizations embrace identity-first security, VARs are tasked with addressing pressing questions about preparedness, solution alignment, and their ability to stay competitive in an AI-driven landscape. In interactions with VARINDIA, these leaders share insights into overcoming barriers, shaping effective strategies, and ensuring resilience in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity environment.
This transformation is not just technical—it’s a fundamental redefinition of how security is approached in the digital age.

Noventiq helps organizations stay ahead in AI-driven threats

Peter Theobald, Head - Microsoft Security Practice, Noventiq India

“Cybersecurity is a constantly advancing challenge. While MFA continues to play a role, it remains perimeter-focused and can fall short against insider threats or advanced techniques like credential-stuffing or man-in-the-middle attacks. Zero Trust addresses these gaps by enforcing stringent access controls and continuous verification, considering device posture, user behaviour, and context to secure every interaction.

Identity-centric security takes this further by recognizing identity as the new perimeter. Today’s attackers often bypass traditional defences by leveraging compromised credentials. By implementing granular policies and least-privilege access, organizations can manage permissions effectively, detect anomalies such as unusual login patterns, and respond to threats even when valid credentials are used.

At Noventiq, we focus on strengthening clients’ security with tailored solutions. Our expertise with IAM, micro-segmentation, adaptive access controls, and Microsoft’s Entra Suite helps enforce robust identity-based security. We begin by assessing critical assets, strengthening IAM protocols, and segmenting networks to contain breaches. With our GRC practice, we ensure security frameworks align with regulatory standards, such as GDPR or India’s DPDP Act.

Our integrated solutions, which leverage Microsoft’s Defender and Sentinel for AI-driven detection and response, provide unified visibility and automated threat containment. While challenges like legacy systems, user resistance, and skilled resource shortages persist, our approach simplifies complexity and reduces TCO. By integrating scalable and adaptive security models, we enable organizations to stay ahead in an AI-driven threat landscape.

HSI leads AI-driven cybersecurity withfuture-proof solutions

Anuj Gupta, CEO & Director (India, SEA, ME) - Hitachi Systems India Pvt Ltd.

“The move from traditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Zero Trust and identity-centric security models is vital in addressing the increasing complexity of cyber threats. MFA has laid a solid foundation, but to effectively combat today’s threats, organizations need to embrace Zero Trust and password-less authentication. These frameworks tie authentication to unique, verified identities, removing the vulnerabilities associated with reusable credentials. This shift is necessary to ensure agility and resilience in a rapidly evolving cyber landscape.

At Hitachi Systems India, we view this transition as a comprehensive process that goes beyond adopting a single tool. It requires a strategic integration of identity-driven security policies across an organization. We work closely with clients to develop tailored solutions, focusing on securing all touchpoints in the ecosystem and integrating AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection and response.

Our approach involves guiding customers through the journey to Zero Trust with clear roadmaps and phased implementations, ensuring seamless adoption of these advanced security frameworks. We collaborate with leading OEMs to bring best-in-class solutions, ensuring our clients remain ahead of emerging cyber threats. With AI-powered tools, we move beyond reactive defence, enabling proactive security and future-proofing organizations against evolving risks. At Hitachi Systems India, we are committed to empowering businesses to secure their environments with identity-first security strategies that are both adaptive and resilient.”

AI and ML shaping the future of cybersecurity
Director, Pentacle IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

“Transitioning to Zero Trust and identity-based security frameworks is crucial for businesses, especially as cybersecurity incidents continue to rise. The shift from 'Trust All, Block Some' to 'Block All, Trust When Required' strategies is vital in countering modern threats. In recent years, many businesses have adopted cloud-based identities like Microsoft Entra ID as part of Microsoft 365, addressing basic identity management needs. The next challenge is implementing the necessary solutions and policies that build on these identities, ensuring comprehensive security.

Identity management and Zero Trust solutions, like Microsoft’s Entra ID and Sophos, are central to implementing an identity-first security model. These tools provide the foundation for securing access and monitoring user behaviours, offering proactive defence against potential threats.

However, the journey isn’t without challenges. Many small and medium-sized organizations perceive these solutions as costly and better suited for enterprise-level companies. The widespread use of legacy applications also makes it difficult to implement these solutions across entire organizations. Additionally, the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals remains a significant barrier.

The future of cybersecurity lies in AI and machine learning. By working with Sophos, which integrates AI into its products, we are already positioning ourselves to offer advanced security solutions. As AI-driven capabilities evolve, they will play a critical role in enhancing threat detection, response times, and overall security posture, ensuring businesses are well-equipped to face emerging threats.”

Partnering with security leaders for AI-drivensolutions

Adit Shah, Director, Adit Microsys Pvt. Ltd.

“The shift from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks marks a significant advancement in protecting organizations from data breaches. In today’s landscape, any user, even non-privileged, can be a target of attacks, and a breach in their credentials can lead to substantial damage. Identity-focused security models are crucial in minimizing these risks and limiting the extent of potential attacks. We are fully prepared to assist clients in transitioning to this identity-driven approach, supported by our team of certified experts who have successfully guided numerous organizations in adopting Zero Trust solutions.

Our key offering is the CyberArk suite, a leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM) that fully aligns with Zero Trust principles. CyberArk’s technology allows secure access to critical systems without relying on traditional passwords, making it a perfect fit for identity-first security frameworks. However, integrating third-party applications remains a challenge in implementing Zero Trust, especially when customers use a diverse mix of external and in-house applications.

To remain competitive in an AI-driven cybersecurity world, we focus on partnering with leading security firms and continually invest in certifications and learning. This ensures we offer the latest, best-in-class solutions to our clients, helping them stay ahead of emerging threats while fostering deeper engagement through our highly trained resources.” 

Orbit enhances business security for sustainablesuccess
Amit Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer, Orbit Techsol India Pvt. Ltd.

"The transition from traditional MFA to Zero Trust frameworks signifies a vital shift in cybersecurity strategy. While MFA provides robust access control by requiring multiple authentication factors, Zero Trust goes a step further by enforcing the principle of "never trust, always verify." This approach continuously validates every user and device, significantly mitigating risks associated with identity breaches, which account for 73% of cybersecurity incidents globally. By adopting Zero Trust, organizations can ensure stronger compliance, better provisioning, and enhanced security in an increasingly interconnected digital environment.

Orbit is positioned to guide enterprises through this transformation, leveraging expertise in cybersecurity and a proven track record of delivering Zero Trust solutions. By working closely with clients to understand their business needs, compliance requirements, and operational goals, Orbit provides tailored solutions that incorporate advanced AI capabilities and seamless integration. Solutions like CyberArk, a leader in Privileged Access Management (PAM), enable organizations to securely manage access without exposing sensitive credentials, aligning with Zero Trust principles.

Despite its advantages, the journey to Zero Trust is not without challenges. Integrating diverse third-party applications and overcoming user resistance remain critical obstacles. However, through comprehensive education, stakeholder engagement, and adaptable strategies, Orbit addresses these challenges effectively.

Orbit advances AI-driven cybersecurity, partnering with top providers to detect threats, adapt to risks, and safeguard digital ecosystems, ensuring businesses thrive in an ever-evolving security landscape." 

Empowering clients with customized identity-focused solutions

Gunasegharan Krishnan, Director, eCAPS Computers India Pvt. Ltd.

“Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks are essential in today's cybersecurity landscape. Traditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provided a foundation, but it no longer meets the growing need for stronger protection. Zero Trust continuously verifies identities, devices, and activities, regardless of location, ensuring that access to sensitive data is always tightly controlled.

At eCAPS, we help organizations adopt Zero Trust principles through tailored identity management solutions. By leveraging our partnerships with leading security providers such as OneLogin, SonicWall CSE, SOTI, Data Resolve, and Kaspersky, we offer a range of solutions that enforce continuous authentication, role-based access controls, and real-time threat monitoring.

While adopting Zero Trust can pose challenges—such as compatibility with legacy systems, budget constraints, and resistance to change—we work closely with our clients to overcome these hurdles. We take a customized approach to fit each organization’s unique needs, helping them integrate Zero Trust seamlessly into their infrastructure. Our goal is to ensure that businesses remain agile and secure in the face of evolving cyber threats.

With over two decades of expertise, we’re committed to supporting organizations in navigating today’s complex cybersecurity landscape, bringing forward solutions that provide the protection and resilience needed to thrive in an AI-driven world.”

Arrow PC boosts cybersecurity withZero Trust and AI

Gurpreet Singh, Founder & Managing Director, Arrow PC Network Pvt. Ltd 

"The evolution from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks is crucial in addressing the growing complexity of cyber threats. While MFA laid the groundwork for securing access, the Zero Trust model takes a more rigorous approach by continuously verifying users and their behaviours throughout their interactions with systems, eliminating the reliance on implicit trust. As Generative AI becomes more prevalent, focusing on identity security has become even more vital to maintaining resilience against modern cyber threats.

We are fully equipped to help clients embrace an identity-focused, Zero Trust security model. By utilizing technologies like CrowdStrike’s Falcon and SentinelOne’s Singularity, we provide end-to-end security that includes advanced threat detection, user behaviour monitoring, and real-time analytics to ensure that every access request is properly scrutinized. Our solutions also offer secure backup strategies to protect data integrity, even during ransomware attacks. Our identity management solutions align seamlessly with Zero Trust principles, integrating next-gen protection, threat hunting, and continuous evaluation of user access to mitigate potential risks.

One of the main challenges we face is educating organizations about the importance of these advanced security frameworks and overcoming resistance to change, particularly with legacy systems. We address this by simplifying implementation and highlighting the long-term benefits. Our roadmap focuses on enhancing AI/ML capabilities, expanding our analytics tools, and continuing to innovate, ensuring we provide cutting-edge, future-ready solutions.” 

Expertly guiding clients to identity-based Zero Trust security

Hiren Mehta, Founder & MD, UDtechs 

“Traditional MFA has long been a cornerstone of cybersecurity, but it falls short in addressing today’s complex threat landscape. Zero Trust and identity-centric frameworks have become essential, focusing on continuous user verification through advanced IAM systems, contextual authentication, and AI-driven behaviour analysis. These frameworks address challenges such as hybrid work environments, BYOD, and cloud adoption, while tools like SASE and CASBs enhance security by creating a unified ecosystem of controls tailored to modern operational needs.

At UDtechs, we are fully equipped to assist clients in adopting identity-focused, Zero Trust security models. Our strong partnerships with leading OEMs enable us to design tailored Zero Trust architectures that seamlessly integrate with existing systems. Our team of seasoned security architects and engineers provides comprehensive solutions, from advanced threat detection to robust IAM frameworks, reducing risk and ensuring compliance.

Despite the promise of Zero Trust, challenges remain. Legacy systems complicate integration, inadequate IAM systems hinder progress, and organizational resistance often slows adoption. Transitioning to Zero Trust also requires significant investments in tools, training, and system redesigns, which many organizations find daunting.

Looking ahead, UDtechs prioritizes early engagement with clients, proactive education, and AI-driven innovations. By leveraging advanced analytics and refining our solutions, we empower businesses with scalable, future-ready security frameworks to address the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.”

User education and policy updates drivesecurity strategy

N. K. Mehta, MD & CEO, Secure Network Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.

“MFA continues to play a vital role in both Zero Trust and identity-centric frameworks, but its real value lies in its seamless integration into existing systems. At Secure Network Solutions, we focus on crafting tailored, phased approaches that leverage clients’ current investments while addressing security challenges. Our goal is to improve processes, build stakeholder confidence, and ensure the adaptability of solutions, without the need for wholesale replacements. User education and policy updates are integral parts of our strategy, ensuring resilience against evolving threats.

We began building expertise in identity-focused solutions over four years ago, assembling a specialized team that delivers comprehensive, integrated systems. These solutions are designed to protect users, assets, and applications, irrespective of location or access method, aligning with Zero Trust principles. By partnering with leading OEMs, we provide customized, scalable security frameworks that meet each client’s unique needs.

Implementing Zero Trust models comes with challenges, such as perceptions of high costs, complexity, and enterprise exclusivity. Drawing on our experience with earlier technologies like UTM and NGFW, we work closely with clients to demystify these solutions, demonstrating their value and supporting adoption at every stage.

Our roadmap is informed by industry insights, client needs, and compliance requirements. Through ongoing research and collaboration, we continue to innovate, offering AI-driven cybersecurity solutions that remain effective and future-ready.”

Driving security transformation with IAM and strategic leadership

Prashant Jain, Founder & Director, JNR Management Resources Pvt. Ltd.

“Transitioning from traditional MFA to identity-centric security and Zero Trust principles is imperative in today’s complex threat landscape. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated and organizations adopt cloud-first strategies and hybrid work models, traditional security approaches, reliant on static boundaries, are no longer sufficient. Identity has become the cornerstone of modern security, enabling verification of ‘who’ is accessing resources rather than focusing solely on ‘where’ or ‘what.’ Zero Trust reinforces this by mandating contextual and continuous verification for every access request, minimizing risks and enhancing resilience.

At JNR Management Resources, we are dedicated to enabling this critical shift. Our approach starts with a thorough assessment of existing infrastructure and risk identification, followed by phased implementations that prioritize IAM solutions, risk-based authentication, and adaptive access controls. We emphasize engaging leadership to align security objectives with business priorities, ensuring strategic buy-in.

However, this transition presents challenges, including legacy systems, cultural resistance, and compliance complexities. We address these with tailored strategies, leveraging AI-driven analytics, real-time monitoring, and robust threat intelligence to enhance security while maintaining seamless user experiences.

Our roadmap is built on scalability, interoperability, and innovation, focusing on tools like generative AI and advanced threat detection. By adopting an identity-first approach aligned with Zero Trust principles, organizations can better safeguard their assets, adapt to evolving threats, and thrive in an increasingly dynamic cyber environment.”

Integrating AI and ML for advanced threat detection and response

Co-Founder & Director, Quadrasystems.net India Pvt. Ltd. 

“At Quadra, we view the evolution from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks as a critical step in combating modern cyber threats. While MFA has been foundational, the increasing complexity of cyber-attacks demands more robust solutions. Zero Trust, based on the assumption that breaches are inevitable, enables stronger access controls and continuous verification. By integrating identity-centric security, we further enhance protection through real-time monitoring of user behaviour, adaptive risk assessments, and AI-driven analytics to detect threats instantly.

Quadra is well-equipped to help organizations transition to an identity-first security model aligned with Zero Trust. With a combination of technical expertise, industry certifications, and a portfolio of advanced solutions, we assist clients in assessing their current security posture and developing customized roadmaps that align with their operational structures and risk management goals. We offer a suite of identity management solutions, including multi-factor authentication, adaptive access management, and privileged access management, all designed to continuously verify users and dynamically adjust access based on real-time risk.

While challenges such as legacy infrastructure, stakeholder education, and integration complexity remain, our phased approach ensures a smooth transition. Our roadmap for evolving security solutions includes integrating AI and machine learning to enhance threat detection and automated response, ensuring Quadra remains a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity innovation.”

BD Software prioritizes curated security solutions portfolio

, VP Sales, BD Software Distribution Pvt. Ltd. 

“Transitioning from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks is an essential shift in cybersecurity, offering greater control over user access. By focusing on identities, organizations can define precise access rules, preventing unauthorized access and improving overall security. This approach not only strengthens security through continuous user verification but also enhances productivity by enabling smoother access for legitimate users. Furthermore, it simplifies compliance by tracking user activity, creating an effective audit trail, and helping organizations meet regulatory requirements.

We are well-prepared to guide clients through this transition, recognizing that each organization faces unique challenges when moving from conventional security models to an identity-first, Zero Trust approach. The complexity of managing diverse IT assets and tailoring identity-centric security configurations for different roles and users requires specialized expertise. We offer a curated portfolio of security solutions—ranging from AD Security and Database Access Management to Privileged Access Management (PAM), ZTNA, IAM, and SD-WAN—that align with Zero Trust principles while meeting specific business needs.

One of the biggest challenges we encounter is balancing the simplicity of Zero Trust solutions with their inherent complexity. While simplicity is crucial for ease of management and cost-effectiveness, Zero Trust’s expansive feature set can slow decision-making and extend implementation timelines. Our roadmap focuses on integrating AI-driven capabilities to enhance threat detection, response times, and overall security effectiveness while maintaining the essential role of human oversight.”

Committed to tailored security solutions forclients

, CEO & Director, Galaxy Office Automation Pvt. Ltd. 

“As organizations face an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape, the shift from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks is essential for ensuring data protection. At Galaxy Office Automation, we see this evolution as a proactive response to the growing threats in an interconnected world. By prioritizing identity over perimeter defences, we enable organizations to enforce stricter access control, ensuring that only authenticated users can access sensitive information. This transition emphasizes continuous verification, adaptive authentication, and real-time monitoring, allowing companies to better safeguard critical data while enhancing compliance and productivity.

We are fully prepared to assist clients in this transformation, providing tailored solutions that align with Zero Trust principles and the identity-first approach. Our suite of services spans network security, application security, data protection, identity & access management (IAM), endpoint security, cloud security, and more. By implementing robust identity management tools such as PAM, MFA, and SSO, we ensure organizations maintain tight control over access, minimizing the risk of unauthorized breaches.

However, the biggest challenge we face is driving cultural change within organizations, particularly when it comes to embracing Zero Trust and identity-centric models. We address this through education, strategic planning, and customized implementations, ensuring a smooth transition. As part of our roadmap, we continue to innovate, integrating AI and machine learning to predict and respond to emerging threats, ensuring our solutions stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.”

Staying ahead with AI-driven security andinnovation

Suresh Ramani, CEO, TechGyan 

"We understand that the shift from traditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Zero Trust and, more recently, to identity-centric security frameworks is essential for addressing modern cybersecurity challenges. While MFA added a necessary layer of security, Zero Trust takes a more proactive approach by assuming threats can originate from both internal and external sources, requiring verification at every access point. With the rise of identity-centric frameworks, empowered by Generative AI, user identities are continuously monitored, and access controls are dynamically adjusted based on real-time risk assessments, enhancing overall security.

We are fully prepared to help our clients transition to this advanced security model. At TechGyan, we begin by conducting detailed security assessments, followed by crafting customized strategies that incorporate identity management solutions aligned with Zero Trust principles. Our SecureIT Workshops are designed to help organizations understand and implement Zero Trust effectively.

We offer a range of solutions under the SecureIT 365 brand, including Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft Entra. These solutions are built with advanced analytics and machine learning, ensuring dynamic, real-time threat response and robust identity and access management.

As part of our roadmap, we focus on continuous innovation, leveraging AI technologies and strategic partnerships to stay ahead of evolving threats and provide our clients with the tools needed to enhance security, streamline compliance, and protect sensitive data."

Orient customizes solutions based oncustomer needs

Vaibhav Patkar, CISO / VP - Cyber Security Services, Orient Technologies Ltd.

“As organizations face an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape, transitioning from traditional Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Zero Trust (ZT) and identity-centric security frameworks has become crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. While MFA offers an additional layer of protection, Zero Trust takes a more comprehensive approach, operating on the principle of ‘never trust, always verify.’ This ensures that all access requests—both internal and external—are continuously authenticated. By prioritizing user identities, context-based access, and adaptive risk assessments, Zero Trust frameworks provide enhanced security, far surpassing traditional models.

We are well-prepared to help clients navigate this shift by conducting thorough security assessments and developing tailored strategies that align with their unique environments. Emphasizing identity-centric security, we ensure that every access request is verified and authorized based on context and real-time risk, significantly strengthening their security posture.

Our solutions include Identity and Access Management (IAM), Privileged Access Management (PAM), and continuous monitoring tools, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. These solutions, combined with AI-driven threat detection and automated security operations, provide proactive protection against emerging cyber threats.

By continually investing in the latest technologies, training, and industry partnerships, we ensure that our clients remain resilient to evolving security challenges while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance. This commitment helps organizations achieve a robust security framework that supports both their current needs and future growth.”

Comprehensive identity solutions strengthenZero Trust security

Director & CTO, Dev Information Technology Ltd. (DEV IT) 

"The shift from traditional MFA to Zero Trust and identity-centric security frameworks is no longer optional—it’s essential in the face of increasingly complex cyber threats. MFA provided a foundation for verifying identities, but it doesn’t account for dynamic, evolving threats. Zero Trust, with its core principle of 'never trust, always verify,' ensures continuous authentication for every access request, irrespective of location or device. Coupled with identity-centric solutions like Azure AD and Microsoft Sentinel, organizations can safeguard confidentiality through robust access controls, ensure integrity via behavioural monitoring, and maintain availability by mitigating disruptions. Together, these frameworks bolster resilience against modern threats.

DEV IT specializes in guiding clients through this transformation. By leveraging Microsoft’s cutting-edge technologies—Azure AD for secure identity management, Sentinel for real-time threat detection, and Defender for Identity to preempt threats—we enable organizations to adopt Zero Trust seamlessly. Our 24x7 Managed SOC further ensures proactive monitoring and threat response, addressing vulnerabilities before they escalate.

Challenges like legacy system migration, cultural resistance, and perceived costs often hinder adoption. We address these through education, practical demonstrations, and smooth integration strategies that highlight the long-term benefits of Zero Trust.

Our roadmap focuses on AI-driven cybersecurity innovations—enhancing threat detection, automating responses, and strengthening identity protection. Through constant innovation, we empower businesses to stay secure and resilient in an evolving threat landscape.”