Today’s hyperconnected digital world is complex. Hhere data breaches make headlines and cyber threats evolve faster than most enterprises can respond. Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology function—it’s a boardroom priority. In this exclusive CXQuest.com interview, we speak with Atul Luthra. He is the Co-Founder and Principal Consultant at Five Tattva Cyberhub Security LLP (5Tattva). Arul has over 25 years of leadership across IT security, compliance, and enterprise governance. He brings unmatched depth and clarity to one of the most pressing concerns for modern businesses.
From directing cybersecurity at leading firms like Globaltech & Infosec, Matrix Cellular, and WNS Global Services to now pioneering industry-defining security practices at 5Tattva, Atul has consistently been at the forefront of innovation and resilience. He is ertified across a spectrum of global standards—including CISSP, CISA, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. His approach combines technical mastery with strategic foresight. Atul now leads 5Tattva’s mission to secure digital ecosystems across industries with services ranging from VAPT to 24×7 SOC monitoring.
Join us as we delve deep into the trends defining cybersecurity in 2025, the disruptive role of AI, the imperative for SMBs to act, and how enterprises can foster a culture where security isn’t an afterthought—but a competitive advantage.
Gaps in Cybersecurity Landscape
Q1. You’ve had a distinguished career across multiple sectors. What inspired you to co-found 5Tattva, and what gap did you see in the cybersecurity landscape?
AL: After over two decades of working across industries like telecom, media, retail, and IT services, I realized there was a growing disconnect between compliance checkboxes and true security readiness. 5Tattva was born out of a need to bridge that gap. We saw many organizations struggling with fragmented, reactive security approaches. At 5Tattva, our goal is to offer proactive, end-to-end cybersecurity strategies tailored to each business’s unique risks and compliance needs.
Q2. How would you describe the biggest cybersecurity challenges businesses are likely to face in 2025?
AL: In 2025, the cybersecurity threat landscape has become more volatile, AI-powered attacks, autonomous malware, and deepfake-driven social engineering are becoming mainstream threats. Businesses are grappling with protecting decentralized workforces, securing hybrid cloud infrastructures, and addressing the growing risks of third-party vendors and supply chains. The sheer volume and velocity of attacks, particularly on critical sectors like healthcare, fintech, and government, are testing even the most mature security postures. Compounding this is a persistent global shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and an evolving patchwork of compliance requirements. The biggest challenge is staying resilient amid constant disruption. Organizations must move toward predictive threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and automated response strategies to stay ahead of adversaries in this high-stakes environment.
AI and ML are Transforming Cybersecurity
Q3. AI and machine learning are transforming cybersecurity. How is 5Tattva leveraging AI to detect, prevent, or respond to threats?
AL: At 5Tattva, we embrace AI as a core enabler in defending against modern cyber threats. Our 24×7 Security Operations Center (SOC) leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze vast volumes of data from multiple sources in real time—helping us detect anomalies, predict attacks, and automate early-stage responses. AI enables us to cut through noise and reduce false positives, allowing our analysts to focus on truly critical threats. Our proprietary threat correlation engine uses behavioral analysis and predictive modeling to anticipate attacks before they occur. By integrating AI into threat hunting and vulnerability assessments, we provide smarter, faster, and more scalable protection. The result is not just faster response times but also an adaptive security model that evolves with the threat landscape.
Ransomware Attacks
Q4. With ransomware attacks on the rise, what are the most critical steps organizations should take to protect themselves?
AL: Ransomware has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry. To protect against it, organizations must adopt a comprehensive and layered defense strategy. This includes endpoint detection and response (EDR), regular offline backups, multi-factor authentication, and aggressive patch management.
At 5Tattva, we advocate for proactive resilience through continuous vulnerability assessment, privileged access management, and user awareness training to reduce human error—still the most common attack vector. We also recommend and implement advanced technologies like Memory Randomization, which helps prevent attackers from predicting memory layout during exploit attempts, significantly reducing the success rate of sophisticated ransomware payloads.
Equally critical is having a tested incident response plan and appropriate cyber insurance in place. Organizations should implement zero-trust architecture and least-privilege principles to contain breaches swiftly. Our Security Operations Center (SOC) provides real-time monitoring and automated threat containment to ensure that threats are identified and neutralized before they cause damage. Ransomware preparedness must be viewed not just as a cybersecurity measure, but as a core business continuity strategy.
Regulatory Frameworks
Q5. Regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 are increasingly vital. How can businesses stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements?
AL: Compliance is now integral to business success, not just a regulatory obligation. As data privacy laws evolve rapidly across jurisdictions, businesses must adopt a proactive, integrated approach. At 5Tattva, we help clients build compliance into their operations by mapping regulatory requirements to security controls, policies, and processes. We also recommend ongoing compliance audits, training programs, and the use of automation tools to monitor and report on compliance in real time. Importantly, we ensure that compliance is aligned with the organization’s risk posture, so it becomes a source of competitive advantage. Our expertise across GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 ensures that clients can confidently navigate audits, avoid penalties, and maintain the trust of their stakeholders in a transparent and sustainable manner.
Q6. Many SMBs still think cybersecurity is a luxury. What would you say to such businesses, especially in emerging markets like India?
AL: Cybersecurity is not a luxury—it’s a business imperative, especially for SMBs that often lack the resources to recover from a serious breach. In India and other emerging markets, SMBs are increasingly becoming soft targets for cybercriminals. A ransomware attack or data leak could wipe out customer trust and disrupt operations irreparably. At 5Tattva, we specialize in providing scalable, cost-effective solutions tailored for SMBs, such as managed SOC services, compliance consulting, and VAPT audits. Our message is simple: security is an enabler of growth, not a cost center. Cyber maturity builds credibility with customers, partners, and investors. Starting with the basics—strong passwords, endpoint security, and regular audits—can significantly reduce exposure and empower businesses to operate securely in a digital-first economy.
Balancing Innovation, Agility, and Security
Q7. What advice do you have for CIOs and CXOs looking to balance innovation, agility, and security in their digital transformation journeys?
AL: The key to balancing innovation and security lies in embedding cybersecurity from the design stage of any transformation initiative to save cost and efforts. Too often, security is introduced later as compliance needs as and when it comes from the business side, leading to vulnerabilities and delays in the project timelines. We advise CIOs and CXOs to embrace a “security-by-design” mindset, where risk assessments/exposures and mitigations can be taken care of in the development phase itself. Data privacy considerations, and compliance checks are integrated into every phase of development.
Agile with DevSecOps can be used to make faster development and make this secure—it means iterating fast with guardrails in place. Partnering with experienced cybersecurity consultants, like those at 5Tattva, allows businesses to build flexible yet secure architectures. Additionally, cultivating a DevSecOps culture ensures collaboration between development, security, and operations teams. Ultimately, innovation and security should not be at odds; when aligned properly, they create long-term value and trust.
Global Operations
Q8. You’ve led IT teams in companies with global operations. What’s your secret to building a strong security-first culture across diverse geographies?
AL: Building a security-first culture starts with leadership commitment and a clear communication of why security matters. Across geographies, the key is localization—tailoring security training, messaging, and policies to fit regional contexts while maintaining a consistent global standard. At 5Tattva and in my previous roles, I focused on empowering employees through ongoing awareness programs, gamified learning, and visible recognition of secure behaviors. It’s also essential to build accountability into the organizational DNA—where every employee, regardless of function, understands their role in safeguarding data and systems. I’ve found that making security relatable—by tying it to business outcomes and user experiences—helps drive adoption. A resilient culture thrives when security is seen not as a blocker but as an enabler of trust and innovation.
24×7 SOC Center
Q9. How does 5Tattva’s 24×7 SOC center differentiate itself in a crowded market of security operations providers?
AL: Our SOC is not just a monitoring center—it’s a strategic command hub that delivers contextual, actionable insights. What sets us apart is the integration of AI-powered analytics with the expertise of certified professionals, including CISSPs, Red Team Operators, and PCIDSS, GDPR, HIPAA specialists. We don’t just raise alerts—we investigate, correlate, and provide immediate, guided responses. Our threat intelligence capabilities are continuously updated to adapt to emerging attack vectors. We also offer personalized dashboards and reports aligned with each client’s risk appetite and regulatory requirements. Unlike many cookie-cutter solutions, 5Tattva’s SOC is fully customizable, whether it’s for a fintech startup or a healthcare enterprise. Our clients value us for being agile, transparent, and deeply involved in their overall security posture, not just a vendor on call.
Looking Ahead
Q10. Looking ahead, what’s your vision for 5Tattva in the next 3–5 years? Are there any exciting developments on the horizon?
AL: At 5Tattva, our vision is to be the most trusted cybersecurity partner for digital-first businesses—both in India and globally. Today, we proudly serve clients across the UK, USA, Singapore, South Korea, and the Middle East, reflecting our growing reputation as a global cybersecurity leader. Looking ahead, over the next 3–5 years, we aim to deepen our presence across US, Europe, APAC and the Middle East, supported by the establishment of advanced threat research labs and the development of proprietary AI-driven risk assessment platforms. These innovations will allow us to proactively tackle emerging cyber threats and deliver even greater value to our clients.
We are also expanding our focus into high-impact verticals such as IoT security, fintech compliance, and healthcare data protection. Another exciting milestone is our upcoming cybersecurity training and certification program, designed to upskill the next generation of professionals and address the global talent shortage in cybersecurity.
As threats evolve, our commitment remains clear—delivering future-ready, resilient, and client-centric solutions that empower organizations to innovate with confidence, protected by 5Tattva’s deep expertise and relentless vigilance.
Closing
Digital ecosystems expand and threats grow more sophisticated. Leaders like Atul Luthra and firms like 5Tattva are essential in helping businesses stay resilient, compliant, and future-ready. There is a relentless focus on quality, agility, and strategic partnership. Atul’s leadership exemplifies the cybersecurity mindset enterprises need to embrace in an age of constant change. From proactive threat mitigation to navigating global compliance, 5Tattva is the leader. Atul’s insights remind us that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical function. In fact, it’s a cornerstone of customer trust and business continuity.
To learn more about how 5Tattva is securing tomorrow’s digital world today, visit www.5tattva.com.
