India's Grade A office boom & rapid AI adoption expose resilience gap for commercial real estate landlords. , ET Bureau Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026, 10:07:00 AM IST India's office market is booming, fueled by Global Capability Centres and AI. However, buildings struggle to keep pace with demands for constant connectivity and high performance. This infrastructure gap threatens business continuity and tenant experience. Landlords must prioritize digital resilience and cybersecurity to attract top occupiers and protect asset value in this evolving landscape. Bengaluru: As India cements its position as the global hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and accelerates the adoption of AI-driven operations, a growing gap is emerging between occupier demand and the resilience of building infrastructure, according to new research from WiredScore, the global certification organisation for digital connectivity and smart technology across the built environment. India's office market is expanding at a record pace, with annual leasing reaching record levels of approximately 82-83 million sq ft in 2025, according to JLL, as global occupiers continue to scale operations across cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Much of this demand is being driven by GCCs, which are running increasingly mission-critical, data-intensive and AI-enabled functions from Indian offices. However, as demand for GCCs grows and AI adoption accelerates, the requirements placed on building infrastructure are becoming significantly more demanding. AI-enabled operations rely on continuous connectivity, high bandwidth, low latency and uninterrupted system performance, placing pressure on buildings to deliver resilient, 'always-on,' digital environments. According to WiredScore, many buildings are not yet equipped to meet these demands. Challenges such as inconsistent in-building mobile coverage, limited network redundancy and insufficiently secured operational systems mean that building infrastructure can become a point of failure. In its latest Global Insights report, WiredScore advises that 'AI readiness' is not just about supporting advanced technologies - it is about ensuring that buildings can operate reliably, securely and without disruption. And, as digital dependency increases, the resilience of building infrastructure is becoming directly linked to business continuity. In order to meet this accelerating demand, WiredScore announced this week that it was to be acquired by Meter, US-based leading provider of internet infrastructure for the enterprise. The acquisition will enable WiredScore to deliver foundational level digital connectivity at a greater scale. Mehernosh Captain, Head of India, WiredScore, comments: "India's office market is evolving rapidly, driven by GCC growth and increasing adoption of AI and digital technologies. However, in many cases, building infrastructure is still catching up. Issues such as inconsistent connectivity and gaps in operational resilience mean that landlords must focus on getting the fundamentals right - ensuring buildings can support both digital performance and business continuity." "As occupiers increasingly concentrate in Grade A and green-certified offices, expectations are shifting beyond sustainability and amenities towards buildings that can deliver digital resilience alongside tenant experience." "The growing influence of flexible workspace operators - now accounting for more than one-fifth of leasing activity - is further reinforcing this shift. In these environments, the reliability and security of connected building systems are becoming central to occupier experience, operational continuity and landlord reputation". As landlords across India's commercial hubs adopt increasingly sophisticated digital technologies, cyber threats targeting smart building systems are emerging as a growing risk to the industry. Across major office markets, modern buildings are integrating thousands of connected systems - from air-conditioning and lighting controls to access management and building management systems (BMS). While these technologies enable more efficient, intelligent workplaces, they also create new entry points for cyber attackers. Globally, cybercrime is forecast to cost the world $23 trillion by 2027, and WiredScore's research shows that many buildings still lag behind in translating cybersecurity policies into operational reality. Around 75 per cent of organisations currently operate building management systems with known vulnerabilities, while half of cyber incidents now occur in operational technology (OT) - the systems that control physical assets such as buildings. Tommy Crowley, VP, Asia Pacific, WiredScore, comments: "Smart buildings are creating a new layer of vulnerability. The same systems that power efficiency and tenant experience can also be exploited if they are not properly secured. Cyber risk is no longer just about protecting corporate data - it's about whether a building can remain operational. And, in a market defined by tightening vacancies and rising rents, cyber resilience is no longer just a risk management consideration. It is increasingly linked to asset competitiveness, tenant retention and long-term value protection." WiredScore highlights that resilience must now be considered across both the physical and digital layers of a building. This includes securing telecommunications infrastructure, implementing continuous monitoring, and addressing vulnerabilities within operational technology systems. As buildings evolve into digital ecosystems, asset owners who fail to adapt risk not only cyber breaches, but operational disruption, tenant loss and long-term asset devaluation. "The next cyberattack may not just compromise data - it could prevent a building from functioning," adds Crowley. "Asset owners who invest in resilient digital infrastructure today will be better positioned to protect value and attract global, blue-chip occupiers."

I joined WiredScore a decade ago in large part because I was thrilled by its mission: to make the world’s buildings better connected. Coming from my previous role in government, I was drawn to the challenge of creating public good, but doing so with the agility and ambition of a private sector startup. Arie had […]