Indian IT Giants Activate Crisis Teams Amid Gulf Airspace Closures
In response to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf Region, which have triggered widespread airspace closures and significant flight disruptions across key transit hubs, major Indian IT firms have issued detailed travel advisories and activated their crisis-response teams. The situation has prompted immediate action from industry leaders to ensure employee safety and business continuity.
Infosys Urges Caution and Postponement of Non-Essential Travel
Infosys has advised employees scheduled to travel within the next 48 hours to check airline websites for real-time updates and strongly consider postponing their trips. In an internal communication, the company emphasized that all non-essential travel is strongly discouraged until further notice. Employees currently in transit were instructed to remain calm and follow airline instructions closely. The safety and well-being of our employees remain our top priority, the company stated, highlighting its commitment to proactive measures during this uncertain period.
Cognizant Activates Local Incident Response Team
Cognizant has activated its Middle East Local Incident Response Team (IRT), as confirmed by Chief Security Officer John Wheeler in an email. An initial meeting was held, and the team will continue ongoing assessments and communications with a focus on physical security, travel security, and associate guidance. The region's business resiliency managers were alerted, and coordination meetings were conducted to ensure continuity plans can be activated if necessary.
Cognizant issued targeted travel notices to associates affected by airline disruptions, offering guidance on rebooking, itinerary changes, and regional mobility constraints. Wheeler added that Cyber Operations is operating with heightened vigilance, although there was no observed increase in threat activity targeting Cognizant infrastructure. As a precaution, planned non-essential upgrades to certain security monitoring tools were deferred.
The Business Information Security Officer (BISO) organisation is supporting client-facing teams and closely monitoring high-value and critical infrastructure clients that could face elevated risk. Associates were also instructed to promptly report any security concerns or suspected incidents through Cognizant's Corporate Security Incident System (CSIS).
TCS Suspends All Travel to and from the Gulf Region
TCS has suspended all incoming and outgoing travel to and from the Gulf Region, including transit travel, citing airspace closures in multiple countries. The company's HR and country leadership teams are in active contact with associates and their families. A call tree was activated, and associates in impacted and bordering regions are being contacted on priority.
We are coordinating closely with local authorities and Indian embassies to track developments and will provide timely updates, TCS said. The safety and well-being of our associates and their families remain our highest priority. TCS employs over 9,000 people serving 150 customers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, and recently launched the region's first all-women business centre in Riyadh.
Wipro Emphasizes Employee Safety Amid Disruptions
Wipro, in an internal advisory, noted that multiple airspace closures have led to significant travel disruption and reiterated that employee safety remains paramount. The company directed employees to follow official local government guidelines and avoid all non-essential travel until further notice. Employees were advised to remain vigilant and take local shelter where required.
Emails sent to TCS, Infosys, Cognizant, and Wipro did not elicit a response until press time, indicating the rapid and ongoing nature of the crisis response efforts. These actions underscore the critical role of corporate preparedness in mitigating risks during international geopolitical upheavals.
