Exclusive Interview with Vishal Prakash Shah, Founder and CEO of Synersoft Technologies

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury but a necessity—especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are increasingly targeted by cyber threats. SMEs often lack the resources and expertise to implement robust security measures, making them vulnerable to data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider threats. Synersoft Technologies, under the leadership of Vishal Prakash Shah, has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges by providing innovative and cost-effective cybersecurity solutions tailored for SMEs.

In an exclusive interview with Healthline, Vishal Prakash Shah shares his insights on the most common data security mistakes SMEs make and how they can mitigate these risks. He also discusses the impact of BLACKbox, a comprehensive data security and IT standardization solution, and how Synersoft is leveraging cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

1. Synersoft has been at the forefront of cybersecurity for SMEs. In your experience, what are the most common data security mistakes that small and medium businesses make, and how can they mitigate these risks?

Small and medium businesses (SMEs) often underestimate the importance of data security,  which leaves them vulnerable to various risks. Through our extensive experience working  with SMEs at Synersoft, we’ve identified some of the most common data security mistakes  and practical ways to mitigate them.

One of the most prevalent issues is the lack of data centralization. Many SMEs allow their  employees to save critical business data on personal devices or scattered across different  systems. This practice not only creates data silos but also increases the risk of data loss  and theft. A robust solution is forced data centralization, where all business-critical data is  stored on a secure, centralized system, ensuring better control, backup, and security. Another common mistake is the absence of automated data backups. Manual backups are  often irregular and prone to human error. Implementing automated, periodic backups  minimizes the risk of data loss due to accidental deletions, hardware failures, or  cyberattacks.

SMEs also frequently overlook endpoint security. Employees’ laptops and personal devices  often lack proper security protocols, making them easy targets for malware and  ransomware. Deploying endpoint protection measures like device-level encryption, access  controls, and remote wipe capabilities can safeguard data even if a device is lost or  compromised.

Additionally, weak access control policies are a major concern. SMEs sometimes grant  unrestricted data access to employees, which can lead to unauthorized data modifications  or leaks. Implementing role-based access control (RBAC) ensures that employees can only  access the data necessary for their roles, reducing the risk of internal threats.

Finally, many SMEs don’t have an effective data loss prevention (DLP) strategy. They fail to  monitor data flow, making it difficult to track unauthorized sharing or data exfiltration.  Adopting DLP solutions helps monitor and restrict data transfers, ensuring sensitive  information remains within the organization’s secure environment.

By addressing these common mistakes through centralized data management, automated  backups, endpoint security, role-based access controls, and effective DLP strategies, SMEs  can significantly strengthen their cybersecurity posture and safeguard their most valuable  asset—data.

2. BLACKbox has gained recognition as a robust data security and IT standardization solution for SMEs. Can you share a real-world example of how it has helped a business prevent data loss or cyber threats?

BLACKbox has proven itself as a game-changer for SMEs by providing comprehensive data  security and IT standardization. Let’s look at five real-world examples of its impact:

• A Vadodara-based leading Chartered Accountant firm: Before implementing BLACKbox, this firm struggled with data scattered across multiple devices and lacked proper backup protocols. This posed a serious risk of data loss and unauthorized access. With  BLACKbox, the firm achieved forced data centralization, ensuring all sensitive financial  data was stored in a secure, controlled environment. BLACKbox’s automated backup  feature provided peace of mind by creating regular, consistent backups without the risk  of human error. The firm also benefited from BLACKbox’s data loss prevention (DLP)  capabilities, which restricted unauthorized data transfers and ensured data integrity.
• A prominent MSME manufacturing company: This company faced significant challenges like data leakage through USB drives and unsecured email communications. BLACKbox addressed these issues through its DLP capabilities, restricting unauthorized data  transfers and monitoring data flow. This minimized the risk of data breaches and helped  the company maintain the confidentiality of its designs and production data.
• An accomplished Indian design engineering company with a global clientele: This company needed a robust IT infrastructure to manage sensitive client data and complex design files. BLACKbox enabled IT standardization by centralizing data storage and  implementing role-based access control (RBAC). This ensured that only authorized  personnel had access to critical project data, minimizing internal threats and enhancing  operational efficiency.
• A leading auto-component manufacturing company based in Rajkot: Before BLACKbox, this company faced frequent data losses and lacked proper IT standardization. BLACKbox’s forced data centralization and automated backup features ensured data  was always secure and recoverable. Additionally, its endpoint security features  protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats, making their IT infrastructure  more resilient.
• An MSME achieving lean and cost-effective IT infrastructure: This company wanted to streamline its IT operations without inflating costs. BLACKbox offered a comprehensive solution by combining data security, IT standardization, and cost efficiency. Through automated backups, DLP, and centralized data management, the company significantly  reduced IT expenses while strengthening its data security posture.

These real-world success stories demonstrate how BLACKbox empowers SMEs to  safeguard their data, prevent cyber threats, and achieve robust IT standardization across  different industries.

3. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, especially with the rise of AI-driven attacks. How is Synersoft staying ahead of these threats and integrating advanced technologies into its solutions?

At Synersoft, we recognize the evolving nature of cyber threats, especially with the  emergence of AI-driven attacks that are more sophisticated and harder to detect. To stay  ahead, we continuously innovate and integrate advanced technologies into our solutions,  keeping MSMEs protected against these ever-changing risks.

One of the key approaches we’ve adopted is the Zero Trust security model. Traditional  security methods often rely on perimeter-based defense, assuming that everything inside  the network is safe. However, with remote work and cloud-based operations becoming more common, this approach is no longer effective. Zero Trust operates on the principle of  “never trust, always verify.” By implementing strict identity verification, continuous  monitoring, and least-privilege access controls, BLACKbox ensures that every access  request is scrutinized, significantly reducing the risk of internal and external threats. We also leverage AI-driven threat detection to proactively identify and respond to potential  attacks. BLACKbox’s advanced algorithms monitor user behavior, data flow, and access  patterns to detect anomalies in real time. This intuitive approach helps prevent breaches by  identifying suspicious activity before it can escalate.

Additionally, Synersoft focuses on forced data centralization and automated backups,  ensuring that even in the event of a ransomware attack or data breach, businesses can  quickly recover their critical information without paying a ransom. Our data loss prevention  (DLP) capabilities further safeguard sensitive data by preventing unauthorized access and  exfiltration.

Through these advanced security measures, Synersoft empowers MSMEs to defend against  AI-driven cyber threats while maintaining robust data protection and IT standardization. Our  commitment to innovation ensures that our solutions evolve alongside the threat  landscape, keeping our clients one step ahead.

4. With increasing regulatory scrutiny around data protection, what are the biggest compliance challenges SMEs face, and how does Synersoft simplify this process for them?

SMEs face increasing regulatory scrutiny around data protection, and compliance can often  seem overwhelming due to limited resources and technical expertise. At Synersoft, we’ve  observed several common compliance challenges faced by SMEs and have designed  BLACKbox to simplify the process.

One major challenge is data centralization and integrity. Regulatory frameworks often  require businesses to maintain secure, centralized data storage with proper access controls  and audit capabilities. SMEs often struggle with scattered data across personal devices,  USB drives, and cloud platforms, increasing the risk of data leaks and non-compliance.

BLACKbox enforces forced data centralization, ensuring that all business-critical  information is stored in a controlled, centralized environment with automated backups and  comprehensive version control.

Another key compliance requirement is data loss prevention (DLP) and breach reporting.  SMEs often lack the tools to monitor data movement and detect unauthorized access,  making it difficult to prevent data exfiltration or respond to incidents. BLACKbox addresses  this with advanced DLP features, monitoring data flow and providing real-time alerts for  suspicious activities. This enables SMEs to proactively prevent breaches and maintain  detailed audit trails for regulatory reporting.

Encryption and access control also play a crucial role in compliance. Regulations often  mandate strong encryption protocols and restricted data access based on user roles.  BLACKbox simplifies this by offering role-based access control (RBAC) and device-level  encryption, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data and that data  remains protected even if a device is compromised.

Finally, SMEs face challenges in achieving cost-effective IT standardization while ensuring  compliance. BLACKbox’s all-in-one approach reduces the need for multiple third-party  solutions, providing integrated data security, IT standardization, and compliance readiness  in a single platform. This not only simplifies management but also reduces costs.

By addressing these compliance challenges with a streamlined, robust solution, Synersoft  empowers SMEs to meet regulatory requirements without the need for extensive IT  infrastructure or large budgets, making data protection both accessible and effective.

5. Looking ahead, what are Synersoft’s key focus areas for innovation? Are there any upcoming solutions or partnerships that will further enhance SME cybersecurity and IT efficiency?

Synersoft’s key focus areas for innovation revolve around enhancing SME cybersecurity,  simplifying IT management, and embracing cloud-based efficiency. As the digital landscape  evolves, our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions tailored for MSMEs remains  stronger than ever.

One of our most exciting innovations is BLACKbox One Cloud. This cloud-based solution  addresses the growing need for secure, scalable, and cost-effective IT infrastructure. Many  SMEs face challenges with traditional on-premise setups, including high costs, complex  maintenance, and limited scalability. BLACKbox One Cloud simplifies IT by offering a  unified platform for data centralization, automated backups, and remote access — all with  enterprise-grade security. It empowers SMEs to transition to the cloud without  compromising on data protection or operational efficiency.

We’re also investing heavily in AI-driven threat detection and predictive analytics. By  integrating machine learning capabilities into BLACKbox, we aim to provide proactive

cybersecurity measures that identify and mitigate risks before they escalate. This approach  will help SMEs stay ahead of evolving cyber threats with minimal manual intervention.

In addition to product innovation, strategic partnerships are a key part of our growth  strategy. We’re collaborating with industry leaders and technology providers to enhance  BLACKbox’s capabilities and ensure seamless integration with widely used business applications. These partnerships will help SMEs achieve greater IT standardization,  streamlined workflows, and enhanced data security.

Looking ahead, Synersoft remains committed to empowering MSMEs with innovative,  affordable, and robust IT solutions. Through continued research, development, and  collaboration, we aim to set new benchmarks in SME cybersecurity and IT efficiency.

About the Respondent

Vishal Prakash Shah is the Founder and CEO of Synersoft Technologies. A seasoned technology  stalwart, an inventor of patented cybersecurity technologies, a writer, a serial entrepreneur, and an  investor, he is known as the “Go to Guy” for MSMEs. His expertise in IT security and business  resilience has positioned him as a trusted advisor for enterprises navigating the digital age.