Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint is establishing an AI Security Engineering Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, with plans to hire over 200 engineers. This expansion follows a period of rapid growth in its local business operations. Note: Proofpoint is a private company and is not traded on Indian stock exchanges.
Cybersecurity leader Proofpoint has announced a significant expansion of its Indian operations with the establishment of a new AI Security Engineering Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad. As part of this growth, the company plans to hire over 200 engineers over the next 12 to 24 months to focus on cutting-edge technologies, including AI governance, runtime protection, and security for autonomous agents.
This move comes after a period of strong performance, with the company reporting that its India business has tripled in the past 12 months. The expansion is designed to address the increasing demand for secure AI adoption among Indian enterprises. By launching this facility, Proofpoint aims to strengthen its local capabilities to meet stringent data sovereignty and privacy requirements, including compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA).
The new CoE will also play a role in integrating and developing technologies from Proofpoint's recent acquisitions, such as Acuvity. This effort is part of a broader strategy to secure corporate data as companies across banking, defense, and public sectors in India integrate AI into their workflows.
For investors and market observers, it is important to note that Proofpoint is a privately held company. It was acquired by the private equity firm Thoma Bravo in 2021 for $12.3 billion. Consequently, the company is not listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) or the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and shares of the company cannot be traded by public market investors.
From a sector perspective, the expansion highlights the intensifying competition in India’s cybersecurity market. As companies shift toward AI-based tools, the need for specialized security talent has surged, leading to increased pressure on firms to scale engineering teams effectively. A significant risk factor for the company remains the execution of its integration strategy, as it continues to bring together multiple acquisitions while competing for high-demand AI talent in a crowded market. Additionally, as the regulatory environment in India regarding data privacy continues to evolve, the company will need to maintain cost discipline and operational efficiency to sustain its growth trajectory.