CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Piyush Mehta, CEO, Data Dynamics
Q1. Can you tell us about Zubin and what sets it apart from other data management solutions?
Zubin came to life because we saw firsthand how overwhelming the data landscape had become for so many organizations. I’ve personally spoken to leaders who felt like they were drowning in unstructured data with no clear way to manage it. It was a real challenge: tons of sensitive information scattered across on-prem, hybrid, and cloud environments, especially with AI driving data growth even faster. What we realized is that most existing solutions out there only solve part of the problem—some focus on storage, others on migration—but bigger issues like governance, security, and compliance are often left out. Additionally, these solutions are siloed, and everyone has a different perspective on the same dataset. My question is: how do you solve the problem if you don’t have a cohesive view? And don’t even get me started on the gap between IT and data & application owners—there’s so much ambiguity between the two groups about who should do what. Maybe this worked before AI, but now, with data generation reaching colossal numbers, how can a single IT team control everything?
With Zubin, we wanted to offer something that truly addresses these gaps. We built it to be more than just another data tool—its AI-powered self-service data management software puts you in full control of your data down to the data owner layer through one cohesive interface —whether it’s managing Risk, Security, Privacy, Sovereignty, Optimization, or Sustainability. What really excites me is how Zubin empowers every data owner to become a “data champion.” It brings decentralized decision-making to the forefront while ensuring there’s centralized governance in place. I’ve had so many conversations with our global clients and partners – many amongst the Fortune 25, and the consensus is clear: Zubin is transforming how data governance works, particularly in highly regulated sectors like healthcare and finance. It’s a step toward a future where data is secure, compliant, and, more importantly, in the hands of the right people.
Q2. How does Zubin address the growing concerns around data privacy and sovereignty?
Data privacy isn’t just a checkbox anymore; it’s something we hear about constantly from customers. I remember early conversations where businesses were really feeling the pressure—regulations like GDPR and India’s DPDP Act were raising the stakes, and the penalties for non-compliance were terrifying. So when we designed Zubin, we made sure that privacy and sovereignty weren’t afterthoughts—they’re core to the software.
What I love about Zubin is how it gives organizations granular control over their data. You can decide who gets access, where the data is stored, and how it’s used, all while staying compliant with local and international laws. And the best part? It’s built to adapt. With the privacy landscape changing all the time, Zubin’s real-time compliance monitoring means businesses don’t have to scramble every time a new regulation pops up. It’s like having a safety net that not only keeps you compliant but builds trust with your customers because they can see that you’re handling their data responsibly.
Q3. Why is now the right time to launch Zubin, especially in the context of AI and cybersecurity?
I’ve always believed that timing is everything, and right now, with the explosion of AI and the rising cybersecurity threats, it just feels like the perfect moment for Zubin. AI is amazing, but it thrives on data—specifically unstructured data—and that comes with its own set of challenges. Businesses are moving fast with AI, but they also need to make sure their data is secure and compliant. That’s where Zubin really shines.
The data & analytics features in Zubin continuously analyze data patterns, spotting vulnerabilities before they turn into problems. What also sets the software apart is its federated governance model, which strikes a balance between decentralized actions and centralized policy enforcement. Individual teams have the flexibility to make agile data decisions while the overarching governance and security measures remain firmly in place. As regulations become more complex and cyber threats continue to rise, this balance provides the agility to innovate while staying secure and compliant.
This kind of proactive approach is exactly what businesses need as they scale their AI-driven innovations, ensuring that security and privacy evolve alongside their data.
Q4. How does Zubin empower organizations to balance AI-driven innovation with the need for strict data security?
From what I’ve seen, companies are often walking a tightrope between innovating with AI and keeping their data secure. AI needs vast amounts of data, especially unstructured data, but that can also be a security nightmare if not managed properly. Zubin takes the stress out of that balancing act.
Take, for example, its real-time risk analysis—it constantly monitors data used in AI models, flagging any vulnerabilities. It also automates data classification, making sure sensitive information is identified, quarantined, and governed with strict role-based access controls, all in line with your company’s policies. The policy enforcement is where it gets really smart—every action taken by users is governed by predefined security policies, so compliance is never an afterthought. The federated governance model also means that teams can make data decisions quickly without waiting for security approvals, which is a huge advantage when you’re trying to innovate fast.
Q5. Data sovereignty and digital trust are increasingly important topics. How does Zubin contribute to these areas?
It’s amazing how much the conversation around data sovereignty and trust has changed in just the last few years. I’ve had so many discussions with companies that are really feeling the pressure to not only protect their data but to keep it within specific legal boundaries. Zubin was designed with this in mind—it offers location-specific governance controls that ensure your data is stored and processed exactly where it should be to comply with laws like GDPR or the DPDP Act.
And when it comes to trust, I think Zubin is doing something pretty revolutionary. We’re taking data security out of the IT silo and making it a shared responsibility across the organization by integrating Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) into every layer of the business. How? We’re pioneering an industry-first “data democracy by design” approach with a self-service framework that puts the power directly in the hands of data creators. It’s a system that centralizes data governance but decentralizes control, letting central IT set custom data policies while giving stakeholders across the board—from the C-suite to data owners—the ability to discover, define, act on, and audit data. And the best part? It’s all done through an intuitive, low-code, self-service interface. It’s not about complexity—it’s about simplifying the whole process so that security and governance are embedded in every part of the business, making sure every enterprise fulfills its responsibilities as a trusted data custodian.
Q6. How is the new Centre of Excellence in Pune contributing to Data Dynamics’ growth and innovation?
The new Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Pune is more than just a facility for us —it embodies our commitment to redefining data management and customer empowerment on a global scale. At its heart is a team of world-class experts: researchers, software developement and AI specialists from top-tier brands, data scientists, and QA professionals. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of innovation, creating secure, AI-driven solutions that align with today’s complex data landscape.
But our vision goes beyond technology. The CoE is designed to bring Zubin closer to our customers and partners, with a dedicated go-to-market team of sales and marketing experts ensuring seamless outreach. Most importantly, we’ve put a spotlight on customer experience—our A1 customer success team is here to ensure every engagement with Zubin is transformative, empowering organizations to navigate data with confidence, security, and ease.
We believe in building a future where data creates trust, and that trust empowers businesses to thrive. With this center, we’re not just enhancing technical capabilities; we’re making a promise—a promise that your data will be handled with the highest standards of privacy, governance, and ethical AI. Our CoE stands as a testament to our vision: a world where data, in the hands of its rightful owners, becomes a force for good.
Q7. What role does responsible AI play in Zubin’s approach to data management?
Responsible AI isn’t just a trendy term for us—it’s baked into everything Zubin does. It dictates how data is classified, managed, and used. For instance, the software makes sure sensitive data is identified and shielded from unethical use, especially in AI applications where data bias, privacy breaches, or unauthorized access can have major repercussions. How? Through automated, policy-based actions and continuous monitoring, all designed to protect data privacy and security while still delivering the insights businesses need.
We’ve also weaved Responsible AI into its governance model, providing real-time data insights and risk assessments so organizations know exactly how their data is being used, especially in AI-driven projects. This level of oversight is critical as AI becomes more integrated into everyday operations, and organizations need to stay alert to the ethical implications of its use. With Zubin, you get a software that doesn’t just talk about Responsible AI—it lives and breathes it.
Q8. What do you think will be the biggest data management challenges for businesses in the near future, and how does Zubin help address them?
The biggest challenge we’re about to face in data management is the clash between massive data growth and the rising demand for individual control—something we call “Citizen Data Ownership.” As data continues to explode, people are becoming more aware of their rights to control how their personal information is used, stored, and shared. This shift toward a privacy-first world means businesses aren’t just tasked with handling enormous amounts of data—they also need to give individuals transparency and control over their own data.
That’s where Zubin steps in. It’s a self-service, AI-driven software that empowers both organizations and individuals. For companies, it helps manage huge volumes of unstructured data efficiently, ensuring they stay compliant with global privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. At the same time, it addresses the growing call for citizen data ownership by offering fine-tuned control over who has access to data and how it’s used. By streamlining the entire process, Zubin fosters accountability and coherence across the business, all while laying the groundwork for something bigger: the empowerment of citizen data rights.
Looking ahead, the businesses that thrive will be the ones that not only manage their data effectively but also give their customers real ownership and transparency. Zubin’s ability to create a “data democracy,” where people can keep control of their information while knowing it’s secure and compliant, will be crucial in tackling this challenge. By balancing the needs of businesses with the rights of individuals, Zubin is set to play a key role in shaping our data-driven future.
