The Times of India · 19 Oct, 01:36 · Business briefing

‘Call for digital swaraj reflects need for greater data control’: IBM India chief Sandip Patel

IBM India’s chief executive, Sandip Patel, has articulated a vision for 'digital swaraj', emphasising the critical necessity for organisations to regain greater control over their data assets.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

IBM India’s chief executive, Sandip Patel, has articulated a vision for 'digital swaraj', emphasising the critical necessity for organisations to regain greater control over their data assets. This statement underscores a shifting landscape where data sovereignty and autonomous management are becoming paramount. The commentary suggests that Indian enterprises must prioritise internal capabilities to manage, secure, and leverage data independently, rather than relying solely on external providers. This reflects a broader industry trend towards self-reliance in digital infrastructure, signalling that strategic data governance will be a key differentiator for future business success and operational resilience.

Employer demand for Cyber Security skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

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This shift towards data sovereignty means your ability to govern and secure information is now a primary career asset. Professionals in data engineering, cybersecurity, and compliance must prioritise skills in data governance frameworks and regulatory adherence. If you manage IT infrastructure, you should deepen your expertise in cloud security and data privacy laws. Smart professionals will immediately audit their current knowledge of data protection regulations and seek certifications in data governance or cybersecurity. Focus on understanding how to implement robust data controls within your organisation. This development elevates the value of specialists who can bridge technical data management with strategic business autonomy. Proactively upskill in these areas to position yourself as a guardian of your company’s most valuable asset.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Cyber Security, Data Science, Cloud Computing and Compliance And Governance — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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