Indian pharma takes the digital leap: What does it mean for cybersecurity?
While the prowess of Indian pharma had been known for a long time, the pharma sector came centre stage during the pandemic, for developing a home-grown vaccine in record time. Even though India has a prominent role to play in high-end generic drug manufacturing, the real differentiator will be the move towards becoming innovators, by creating innovative drugs, digital solutions, and personalised healthcare, thereby enhancing quality, accessibility, and affordability across the care spectrum.
One of the key enablers to achieve this is through digital transformation, with the use of cloud, big data/analytics, automation, and AI. However, to be able to scale this vision and growth sustainably, and create trust globally, the pharma sector needs an important ‘cog in its wheel’ - ‘cybersecurity’.
To develop a deeper understanding of digital transformation and cybersecurity changes in the pharma sector, the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and Deloitte India conducted comprehensive discussions with industry experts and large pharma organisations in India and globally. Through this joint report, titled, ‘Indian pharma takes the digital leap – what does it mean for cybersecurity?’, we aim to bring out the rapid changes the pharma sector is witnessing, supported by digital transformation, and the way it affects their cybersecurity posture.
Key highlights
Evolution of digital transformation in leading pharma companies
The corporate side of pharma (which includes functions such as finance, HR, sales, and marketing) is witnessing changes like any other sector with hybrid work models, digital workplace, use of collaboration tools, digital learning, digital recruitment, etc. At the same time, the scope and scale of digitalisation happening across certain key functions of the pharma value chain, including research and clinical development, manufacturing, supply chain, and commercialisation.
Current priorities for the pharma industry – Digital transformation across manufacturing, outreach, and supply chain
To scale globally at par with the leading innovators of the world, the Indian pharma sector needs to adopt innovative means to streamline processes, cut down costs, and maintain trust in the ecosystem, which digital can deliver.
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Cybersecurity as a key lever for business transformation and enablement
As leading pharma organisations gear up for the next stage of growth, seventy percent of leading pharma companies highlight focusing on ‘zero trust security’ with the need for a clear roadmap in the upcoming years. It is imperative that cybersecurity remains a key consideration, to not just manage any cyber risk that comes along the way but also to truly enable business transformation in these organisations.
