San Jose-based global networking and security solutions provider Cisco has recently expanded its Meraki offerings in India by introducing a new cloud region in the country. This new cloud service will allow companies to host their data locally, providing the opportunity to access more regulated sectors such as finance, banking, and public sector companies while ensuring compliance with local data laws. Cisco acquired cloud networking company Meraki in 2012 for approximately $1.2 billion in cash, and since then, Meraki’s cloud networking solutions have helped simplify IT operations by monitoring and managing wired and wireless networks across multiple security touchpoints within an enterprise, ultimately reducing operational costs.
The new cloud region is hosted by a cloud service provider integrated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India. Additionally, Cisco is investing in a data center in Chennai, expected to be operational in the second half of the year. With over 810,000 customers globally, Cisco anticipates that Meraki’s business growth in India will outpace Cisco’s overall growth in the country. Daisy Chittilapilly, president of Cisco India and SAARC, notes that while Meraki has been present in India for nearly a decade, the majority of its customer base currently consists of small and medium-sized industries.
A recent data privacy benchmarking study conducted by Cisco revealed that 97% of organizations in India believe that storing data within their own country or region would inherently enhance its security, and 94% trust global providers to protect their data more effectively than local providers. The introduction of the India cloud region expands the target market in the country, particularly appealing to public sector entities, government organizations, educational institutions, financial establishments, healthcare providers, and professional services firms.
Currently, Cisco Meraki’s India Region early access is being offered in a beta version to customers, with plans to scale, enhance, and deliver comprehensive solutions based on feedback and overall performance. The India region is fully supported by Meraki’s engineering and support teams, with a small team physically present and working from India. This strategic expansion aims to further strengthen Cisco’s presence in the Indian market and better cater to the evolving needs of businesses and organizations in the region.
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https://www.fortuneindia.com/amp/story/enterprise/ciscos-meraki-launches-india-cloud-services-to-expand-into-regulated-sectors/117276
