ICANN to Open Next New gTLD Application Window on April 30, 2026; Opportunity for Indian Brands: Venkatesh

ICANN to Open Next New gTLD Application Window on April 30, 2026; Opportunity for Indian Brands: Venkatesh

New Delhi [India], December 24: The global internet naming authority ICANN is set to open the next application window for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) on April 30, 2026, marking the first such opportunity in over a decade for companies, institutions and communities to apply for their own top level extensions.

The programme, formally known as ICANN’s New gTLD Program, allows applicants to create custom top-level domains, including brand-specific extensions such as .brandname. The previous round, launched in 2012, resulted in more than 1,200 new domain extensions but saw relatively limited participation from Indian enterprises.

Industry experts say the upcoming round is drawing sharper interest from Indian companies this time, driven by growing concerns around phishing, brand impersonation and digital trust.

“Domains are no longer just web addresses; they have become trust signals for brands and consumers,” said Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian, an independent domain industry consultant and founder of NewgTLDProgram.com. “What has changed since 2012 is how consumers interact with brands online. Most users today don’t type URLs carefully — they click links, scan QR codes and engage across multiple digital channels.”

According to Venkatesh, this behavioural shift has exposed brands to greater risk from lookalike and deceptive domains, even as companies invest heavily in cybersecurity tools. “You can secure your infrastructure, but if anyone can register a domain that closely resembles your brand, the attack surface remains wide open,” he said.

One category gaining renewed attention is DotBrand gTLD, where a company applies for and operates its own branded top-level domain. Under this model, only the brand itself can create domain names, significantly reducing the risk of external misuse.

“In 2012, DotBrand was often viewed as a marketing experiment,” Venkatesh said. “In 2026, it is being evaluated as a brand protection and control mechanism. That is a fundamental shift among brands.”

Lately many of us have seen or interacted with DotBRAND domains on the internet. Banks and large Brands now use simple, recognisable branded domain names in their websites and online services. home.BARCLAYS or search.GOOGLE are great examples of DotBRAND Domain Names. Dot BRAND domains add a visual layer of authenticated BRAND identification to the customer’s interacting with the Brands online which in turn signifies customer trust towards brands.

Venkatesh noted that several global corporations that adopted brand-owned domains in the previous round now use them for secure customer communication channels, online brand presence along with marketing and branding opportunities. He believes now brands in India are examining similar use cases as they expand globally and face increasing scrutiny around consumer trust. In 2012 Indian BRANDS like TATA, Reliance, Aitel, State Bank of India and few more secured their DotBRAND top level domains like .SBI, .TVS, .JIO.

The upcoming application window is expected to remain open for approximately 12 to 15 weeks, after which ICANN will begin a multi-stage evaluation process that can take several years before successful applicants receive delegation of their domains.

Unlike domain registrations, applying for a new gTLD is a one-time opportunity tied to ICANN’s programme cycles. “These rounds do not open frequently,” Venkatesh said. “For many organisations, this may be the only chance in the next decade to make a foundational decision about how their domain names align with their digital identity.”

Based on his current work with applicants preparing for the upcoming ICANN new gTLD round, Venkatesh said interest levels are noticeably higher than in previous cycles. He noted increased participation from internet entrepreneurs, angel investors, brands and startups across regions, and expects around 40-50 gTLD applications from India in the 2026 round.

He also noted that he assisted several Indian applicants in accessing ICANN’s Applicant Support Program (ASP) before it closed in November. The programme enables eligible applicants to receive up to a 75 per cent reduction on the standard application fee of $227,000. Awareness around the ASP in India was driven through coordinated efforts by ICANN, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).

As the April 2026 timeline approaches, industry observers expect more boardrooms to engage with the topic — not as a branding exercise, but as a long-term infrastructure decision that sits alongside cybersecurity, compliance and digital risk management.

Cybersky Security OPC Pvt. Ltd. — The Solo Sentinel from Uttarakhand — Sets Benchmark as Fastest-Growing Cybersecurity OPC in India, Gains Global Recognition from PayPal

Cybersky Security OPC Pvt. Ltd. — The Solo Sentinel from Uttarakhand — Sets Benchmark as Fastest-Growing Cybersecurity OPC in India, Gains Global Recognition from PayPal

In the ever-evolving world of cyber threats and digital vulnerabilities, one name from Uttarakhand has been quietly making powerful strides — Cybersky Security OPC Pvt. Ltd. Founded by cybersecurity professional Akash Badola, the company has rapidly risen to become India’s fastest-growing One Person Company (OPC) in cybersecurity operations. Like a silent guardian operating behind the scenes, Cybersky Security has earned national and international recognition for its precision-driven, ethical, and highly effective cyber defense work.

What makes this achievement remarkable is that Cybersky Security operates as a one-person company — a rare structure in a field often dominated by large, resource-heavy enterprises. Yet, under the sole leadership of Akash Badola, it has consistently delivered high-impact results across critical sectors, offering advanced solutions in data security, threat mitigation, vulnerability assessment, and digital forensics.

Cybersky Security has worked on a range of high-stakes projects with both national and international IT giants, showcasing its capability to operate at global standards. In addition, it has contributed to multiple Indian government cybersecurity initiatives, where trust, discretion, and performance are paramount. These accomplishments underline the company’s technical depth and strategic value in today’s high-threat digital environment.

In a recent and significant milestone, Cybersky Security has been appreciated by PayPal — an American multinational financial technology company. Known for its rigorous cybersecurity protocols and global digital infrastructure, PayPal’s recognition serves as a strong validation of Cybersky’s expertise and the personal credibility of Akash Badola. According to sources, the fintech giant’s growing interest in collaborating directly with Akash Badola highlights not only the company’s capabilities but also his leadership as a cybersecurity visionary.

“We’ve always believed in silent impact over loud claims,” says Akash Badola, Founder of Cybersky Security. “In cybersecurity, what matters most is trust, speed, and responsibility. I built this company around those principles, and it’s fulfilling to see that work recognized on global platforms.”

Cybersky’s rise is also symbolic of a larger trend: the growing trust in specialized Indian cybersecurity startups, especially those led by highly skilled individual experts. The OPC model has allowed passionate professionals like Akash to create agile, high-impact entities capable of challenging traditional firms — not with manpower, but with mindset and mastery.

GS Lab | GAVS welcomes Harmeet Chauhan as the CEO in its Journey to be a Scaled Purposeful AI-led Services Organization

GS Lab | GAVS welcomes Harmeet Chauhan as the CEO in its Journey to be a Scaled Purposeful AI-led Services Organization

Princeton, New Jersey, October 23, 2024: The Board of Directors of GS Lab | GAVS (the “Company”) is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Harmeet Chauhan as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective October 7, 2024. Harmeet succeeds Mr. Sumit Ganguli, who will continue to support the Company’s growth as the Vice Chairman of the Board after steering the Company through a transformative phase. The Board extends its gratitude to Sumit for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment.

This strategic appointment is in line with GS Lab | GAVS’ commitment to continue to be the most trusted partner for its clients and stay at the forefront of technology, including AI, across its service offerings and competencies to enable its clients’ growth and aspirations.

Keith Pitts and Pramod Bhasin, members of the Board of Directors, GS Lab | GAVS, said, “We are delighted to welcome Harmeet at GS Lab | GAVS. We are witnessing innovation at an accelerated pace in technologies around us across Cloud, Automation, Data, and Generative AI. With Harmeet’s leadership and experience across technology product and services businesses, GS Lab | GAVS will continue to operate at the forefront of technology with an AI-first approach in its service offerings. Harmeet will build on the strong foundation laid by Sumit on GS Lab | GAVS’ journey towards becoming a world-class client centric AI-first organization.”

Harmeet brings a wealth of experience from both product and technology services sectors, having held key roles at Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, HCL, Altran (now Capgemini), and Wipro. Harmeet has a passion for technology and driving outcomes for clients’ businesses through a robust technology-driven service-oriented approach.

Sumit Ganguli, Vice Chairman of GS Lab | GAVS, commented, “All of us will immensely benefit from Harmeet’s stewardship at GS Lab | GAVS. He will be a strong force multiplier in GS Lab | GAVS’ purposeful growth and value creation journey. I will continue to serve our clients and colleagues as the Vice Chairman and Board Member of GS Lab | GAVS. I am extremely excited about the future of GS Lab | GAVS.”

Under Harmeet’s leadership, GS Lab | GAVS aims to further enhance its offerings across product development, cloud, cybersecurity and data, leveraging automation and AI. “I am excited and truly honored to join GS Lab | GAVS at this inflection point in its journey,” said Harmeet Chauhan, CEO, GS Lab | GAVS. “I deeply resonate with the Company’s values of Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Empathy, its commitment to purpose-led growth, and will build on their AI-led strategy to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

Harmeet will be based out of GS Lab | GAVS’ Silicon Valley office in Santa Clara, California.

About GS Lab | GAVS

GS Lab | GAVS is a global AI-led digital transformation company focused on creating business impact for its 200+ customers across the USA, Europe, APAC, and the Middle East. It offers digital product engineering, AI-led managed services, and digital transformation services to customers across Healthcare, Hi-tech, and BFSI segments.

With 4000+ technologists spread across 10+ global delivery centers and a robust talent-nurturing culture, it is a trusted growth partner to its customers. Known for its innovative win-win business models, customer success focus, and deep tech engineering skills, the company invests heavily in emerging technologies such as 5G, edge computing, AI/ML, cloud, and IoT. Its IPs, such as ZIF, zDesk, Rhodium, and zIrrus help accelerate technology adoption for enterprises.

Contact:

Anand Paramasamy

anand.paramasamy@gavstech.com

SquareX Uncovers Critical Vulnerabilities in Malicious Document Detection Among Top Webmail Providers Like Gmail, Outlook

SquareX Uncovers Critical Vulnerabilities in Malicious Document Detection Among Top Webmail Providers Like Gmail, Outlook

SquareX, a browser-security start-up led by serial cybersecurity entrepreneur Vivek Ramachandran, today unveiled the results of its recent study, revealing a concerning reality about major email providers’ inadequacies in safeguarding users against malicious document-based threats.

The study, conducted by SquareX’s research and development team, involved analysing 100 malicious document samples, which were segmented into four distinct categories:

  1. Original malicious document samples from MalwareBazaar
  2. Slightly altered malicious document samples from MalwareBazaar, such as changes in metadata and file formats
  3. Malicious document samples modified using attack tools that have existed for many years
  4. Basic Macro-enabled documents that execute programs on user devices.

These samples were sent via a third-party email provider, ProtonMail, to several major email providers, including industry giants such as Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL, and Apple iCloud Mail. The study revealed that while email providers like Gmail and Outlook demonstrated basic detection capabilities in identifying unmodified malicious document samples, they faltered in detecting modified malicious documents manipulated with readily accessible attack tools – exposing a glaring cybersecurity loophole that poses a potential threat to millions of users around the world.

Given the prevailing reliance on email services as secure communication channels, these findings raise important questions about the effectiveness of relying on existing email security measures and the false sense of security they may instil in millions of users and enterprises worldwide. While cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, email providers appear ill-prepared to detect and intercept these emerging threats, consequently leaving users to potential exploitation.

“The inadvertent discovery of this significant lapse in email security during our product enhancement process was startling, especially in India where most people use these services both for personal and professional work and rely on them for security,” shared Vivek Ramachandran, the founder and CEO of SquareX. “Our intention in making these findings public is to ignite a dialogue on the urgent need for reinforced security measures and encourage email providers to either elevate their security protocols or transparently acknowledge their current limitations,” added Vivek.

To bridge this security gap, SquareX has introduced an advanced in-browser malicious document scanning feature as a part of its browser extension, currently in beta. This move not only speaks of the company’s commitment to making the web a safer place but also invites other companies to join forces in securing the web activities of users and enterprises from cyber-attacks.

About SquareX:

SquareX is a browser-security start-up founded by the seasoned cybersecurity expert and serial entrepreneur, Vivek Ramachandran. At the core of SquareX’s mission is the commitment to empower users and enterprises with the confidence to navigate the online world without fear. With its innovative browser-native security solutions and unique isolation technology, SquareX aims to safeguard both individuals and enterprises from a spectrum of browser-based threats, encompassing malicious files, websites, scripts, and compromised networks.

Available on the Chrome and Edge stores, the SquareX browser extension has not only been awarded as “featured extension” by Chrome store but has also earned over 100,000 users globally in less than a year.