As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way data is collected, analysed and used, the risks linked to data privacy and cyber security are growing rapidly, according to a senior executive at Aon. Sharing her perspective ahead of Data Privacy Day, Apurva Gopinath, Cyber Leader and Vice President, Financial Services & Professional Group, India at Aon, said the cost and impact of data breaches have reached alarming levels. Citing publicly available sources, she noted that in 2025 the global average cost of a data breach was estimated to be between $4.4 million and $4.9 million, while global cybercrime losses are projected to run into trillions of dollars annually.
She said these figures clearly show that cyber incidents are no longer just technical issues, but events that can severely damage finances, reputations and customer trust. Gopinath pointed out that businesses are becoming more aware of these risks. According to Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey, “Cyber Attacks/Data Breach” continues to be the top risk for Indian businesses. At the same time, “Data Privacy Requirements/Non-Compliance” has emerged as a major concern, highlighting the increasing impact of both global and local regulatory frameworks on companies operating in India.
Emphasising the theme of Data Privacy Day, she said privacy has moved beyond being a compliance requirement and has become a trust issue. She stressed that organisations must limit the data they collect, protect the data they hold, and be transparent about how artificial intelligence and data are used in delivering services. She added that strong controls such as encryption, access management, data loss prevention and continuous monitoring, along with cyber insurance and clear incident response plans, can help organisations reduce the impact of potential data breaches.
