Ahmedabad: Many companies in Gujarat are now putting strict digital rules in place to protect their trade secrets and customer information from leaks and cyber threats. These firms are using advanced surveillance tools and digital controls to stop any misuse of data by employees.
Businesses in sectors like banking, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and FMCG have started using strong restrictions. Companies block email access based on location, ban phones in restricted areas, disable screenshot functions on devices, and trigger alerts when employees share sensitive data outside.
Over the last two years, this trend has grown stronger as companies work harder to keep their business processes, manufacturing techniques, and important data safe from hackers and competitors.
Manish Kiri, former president of the Gujarat Dyestuffs Manufacturers’ Association, said that chemical companies are taking all possible steps to maintain privacy. “Smartphones are not allowed on production floors, pen drives can’t be used on office computers, and data is now stored in the cloud instead of local computers. Even raw materials and process names are given code names to keep things private,” he explained.
Banks are also increasing their cybersecurity efforts. The Rajkot Nagarik Sahakari Bank has added multiple security layers to protect its digital systems. According to the bank’s chairman, Dinesh Pathak, only senior staff can use the internet to access official emails, while others must use their office desktops.
He added that they’ve blocked USB ports, installed systems that stop screenshots and file sharing, and set up alerts that warn them if someone tries to email customer details such as PAN, Aadhaar, or phone numbers outside the bank. “We’ve also taken steps to prevent ransomware attacks,” he said.
Strict digital controls rolled out across Gujarat industries.
Pramod Sharda, CEO of a global email solutions company, noted that more companies have started asking for these kinds of controls in the last two years.
He explained, “In Gujarat, businesses in banking, pharma, chemicals, textiles, and FMCG are now using tools that control what employees can do on company systems. Most allow employees to use their own devices, but with limits. For example, email access may be blocked if the employee is outside the state, and they can’t take screenshots or share files.”
A pharma executive said they even code product names to hide manufacturing details. “We’ve put strict rules in place to protect digital data and limit what employees can access,” he said.
Munjal Patel, director of a pharma firm, shared that his company has banned smartphones at plants for the past three years. “Only the plant and department heads are allowed to use them,” he said.
He also mentioned that only a small group — around 5% of staff — can send emails outside the company. “We need to protect sensitive information like packaging designs and chemical formulas, so such steps are necessary,” he added.
Nirav Shah, former president of the GESIA IT association, said the IT sector has used these practices for a while. “Now, other industries are also being more careful. Many non-IT companies are now using security steps like location-based and device-based online access,” he said.
