'Most secure' Indian BPO industry projected to $8.5 bln

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Indian BPO industry expected to clock 8.5 billion Dollar is the most secure in the world, National Association for Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) President Kiran Karnik said today.

''The few incidents in this country in comparison to the frequent cases of breach of data security is an indication of how safe Indian BPO industry is. However, since this industry depends on confidence of foreign customers, laws must be strengthened, enforcement agencies be trained, people made aware and processes in the companies upgraded continuously, Mr Karnik said speaking to reporters here.

He said that though Indian BPO industry is today the world leader in the sector, it should not remain complacent and should upgrade themselves continuously. Cost competitiveness and customer confidence is important for the industry and hence they should take steps for cost saving and workstation protection, he added.

''The customer should have the confidence that the data that is being processed outside their country is safer in India than it is in their country,'' he pointed out.

Asked about the recent incidents of breach of data security in India and the malignment of the Indian BPO industry, he said, ''That these have made headlines proves that such incidents are a rarity and I am happy that it has made headlines''.

Mr Karnik congratulated the recent reduction of telecom rates which he said has cut costs in the BPO sector. ''The rise of salaries should not alarm people about the industry's cost competitiveness. Good salaries are required to bring the best of people to this sector and the cost cuttings that have taken place in different areas has helped us pay our employees more,'' he said.

The NASSCOM chief announced that the sector will be employing around half a million more people this year.

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