N-able opens Bengaluru GCC, plans 50% India team growth by 2026

Key Takeaways

• N-able opened a Global Capability Center in Bengaluru with over 100 employees, targeting at least 50% workforce growth by end of 2026.
• The Bengaluru team will focus on building defensive AI capabilities, including automated threat detection and faster response times.
• CEO John Pagliuca emphasized the move is driven by access to AI and cybersecurity talent, not cost reduction.

N-able, a US cybersecurity company serving over 500,000 organizations worldwide, opened a Global Capability Center in Bengaluru on Monday. The center starts with more than 100 employees, and CEO John Pagliuca said the company plans to grow its India workforce by at least 50% by the end of 2026.

The expansion is about capability, not cost. That distinction matters. Many US firms set up Indian offices primarily to cut expenses, but Pagliuca was explicit: N-able is in Bengaluru to tap what he called a "deep, world-class pool of AI and cybersecurity talent."

Why N-able picked Bengaluru for defensive AI development

The Bengaluru team will focus on building what N-able calls "defensive AI," tools designed to detect, monitor, and respond to cyberattacks automatically. This is the company's response to a real shift in the threat environment: cybercriminals now use generative AI to run sophisticated, automated attacks at scale.

“This isn't about cost, it's about capability. We are tapping into a deep, world-class pool of AI and cybersecurity talent that is critical to our mission of building defensive AI.”

— John Pagliuca, CEO of N-able

Pagliuca identified specific skill sets that are hardest to find globally: AI engineering, applied machine learning, cloud security, and threat research. Bengaluru has concentrated expertise in all four, though competition for that talent is fierce. Multinationals and Indian tech giants are all fishing in the same pond.

To compete, N-able is offering competitive compensation packages and positioning the Bengaluru roles as opportunities to drive global product innovation, not just support existing products. The company wants engineers who will build core capabilities, not maintain them.

India's GCC boom and what it signals

N-able's move fits a broader pattern. India's GCC workforce is projected to reach 2.36 million employees by the end of 2026, according to a Nasscom and Zinnov report. AI and cybersecurity are the primary demand drivers.

The nature of these centers has shifted. A decade ago, most GCCs handled back-office operations or routine software maintenance. Today, companies like N-able are building core R&D capabilities in India. The Bengaluru center will develop products used by N-able's 500,000+ clients globally, a different proposition from running a cost center.

Discussion in Indian tech circles has been positive, with observers framing this as validation of Bengaluru's status as a deep-tech R&D hub rather than just an outsourcing destination. The focus on defensive AI specifically reflects where the cybersecurity market is moving. Investors and customers want AI-integrated security products, and companies need teams that can build them.

What N-able did not disclose

The company stayed quiet on some important details. N-able did not reveal its current market penetration among Indian small and medium-sized businesses, nor did it share specific revenue targets for the country. Whether the Bengaluru center will also serve local Indian customers or focus entirely on global product development remains unclear.

The 50% workforce growth target is also a minimum, Pagliuca said, leaving room for faster scaling if hiring goes well. With current headcount above 100, that means at least 150 employees by end of 2026, though the final number could be higher.

The talent competition problem

N-able faces a real challenge: everyone wants the same people. AI engineers with applied machine learning experience are scarce globally, and in Bengaluru, they can pick from dozens of well-funded employers. Cloud security specialists and threat researchers are similarly contested.

Pagliuca acknowledged this directly. The company's pitch combines money with mission, offering "strong local career paths" alongside the chance to work on products that protect organizations from increasingly automated attacks. Whether that pitch wins enough talent will determine how quickly N-able can scale the Bengaluru operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is N-able's new Global Capability Center located?

N-able opened its new GCC in Bengaluru, India, which currently employs more than 100 people.

How much does N-able plan to grow its India workforce?

N-able plans to expand its India workforce by at least 50% by the end of 2026, targeting AI and cybersecurity talent specifically.

What will N-able's Bengaluru team work on?

The team will focus on building defensive AI capabilities, including automated threat detection, monitoring systems, and faster incident response tools.

Is N-able's India expansion primarily for cost savings?

No. CEO John Pagliuca stated the move is driven by access to AI and cybersecurity talent, not cost reduction.

How many organizations use N-able's software globally?

N-able provides IT management, cybersecurity, and data protection software to more than 500,000 organizations worldwide.

Source: Tech-Economic Times / ET