As global macroeconomic conditions worsen and funding slowdown continues, Indian startups are cutting their spends on an integral part of tech businesses – cloud storage – by renegotiating contracts with service providers like AWS and Google Cloud, multiple startup founders told ET.
Many of these companies have slashed cloud expenses by 20%-30% while some growth stage startups such as ecommerce platforms Meesho and Dealshare have brought down their cloud expenses by 50%, under pressure to control their cash burn, they said.
This has led to the top three cloud service providers – Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure – waging pricing wars to lure startups onto their platforms in the current downturn.
Over the past months, several startups have been approached by AWS rivals to switch over for lesser pricing, multiple founders who have been in talks with them confirmed.
In some instances, founders are using pricing quotes received from Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure to renegotiate discounted contracts with AWS, their primary cloud service provider, said one of the founders.
Cybersecurity Ecosystem — What’s Next?
The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly. According to the Data Security Council of India, the demand for cloud security professionals is expected to grow by 115% by 2025 — underscoring a major talent gap.
Telecom providers, fintechs, and startups are now doubling investments in cybersecurity with 5G and IoT rollouts creating new vulnerabilities. The next phase of defense lies in AI-driven detection, automated response systems, and security talent upskilling.
“Even if we don’t talk about 5G specifically, the shortage of security talent is one of the biggest risks to our digital future. Organizations must invest in people as much as in technology.”
TechX Perspective
At TechX, we help organizations build proactive, resilient cybersecurity frameworks through:
- 24/7 threat monitoring
- Penetration testing and red teaming
- Cloud and endpoint security audits
- Employee training and certification support
Our Cyber Advisory Team ensures your infrastructure, applications, and data remain secure — from the boardroom to the server room.
Companies often neglect to have written standards and policies around their cybersecurity. Why? Because dozens of them are usually needed, covering everything from equipment management to backup procedures, admin credentialing, remote work policies, and so much more. But it’s well worth the effort.