NASSCOM Sets Up Consumer Interest Protection Task Force to Bolster Data Security for BPM Industry

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has announced that it has set up a Consumer Interest Protection Task Force under the BPM Council Chairman, Keshav R Murugesh, to proactively detail an action plan for the BPM industry in India to further strengthen its efforts to protect consumer interests globally from fraudulent acts perpetrated by unscrupulous elements, including those using the internet as a medium. Data Security Council of India (DSCI) will work in close partnership with the BPM Council for the Taskforce deliberations and recommendations.

Currently, BPM companies in India deploy cutting edge safeguards to ensure the highest levels of information security over corporate and end-customer confidential information. These include robust information security programs aligned to leading industry and security standards, and data privacy programs, whose requirements transcend geographical laws and regulations, comprehensive background verification of employees, employee awareness training programs, extensive preventive, detective and monitoring controls across logical and physical security domains and detailed audit trails coupled with data analytics to provide intelligence around organizational security.  BPM companies have and will continue to demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach towards any data security violations by ensuring prompt and stringent action against defaulters.

Keshav Murugesh, Chair, NASSCOM BPM Council said, “The recent instances of illegal activities by a few unscrupulous elements although isolated and sporadic, highlight the need for the industry to be on constant vigil.  The Task Force, working under the leadership of the BPM Council with representatives from major IT-BPM companies in India, has been mandated to pursue a multi-pronged approach to chart out a series of countermeasures aimed at fraud prevention, fraud detection and fraud response.” 

The Taskforce will also discuss and recommend actions that can enable quicker cross border, inter agency co-operation for filing and resolution of consumer complaints that will help to send a strong message globally of our industry’s ability and intent to act against data thefts / frauds and safeguard the interests of consumers globally.  The focus would be to complement consumer protection measures that exist in different industries and countries around the world.

Raman Roy, Executive Council member, NASSCOM said, “The Task Force will recommend institutional arrangements for industry to work very closely with government agencies across the country to ensure that individuals who indulge in or assist with fraudulent activities are prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law, swiftly and firmly.  Additionally, the Task Force will also recommend institutional arrangements for industry to work with both the central and state governments to bring in changes in relevant laws, regulations, policies and processes to address such violations”.

“Safeguarding data and information is today a key priority for businesses and the governments globally. We will continue to work with the central and state governments, regulators and all stakeholders inside and outside India to ensure a secure environment for Indian IT and BPM companies and their customers,” said R Chandrashekhar, President, NASSCOM.”