The rise of quick commerce (q-commerce) in Asia—particularly in India—has transformed consumer expectations around speed, convenience, and availability. With deliveries now promised within 10 to 30 minutes, the ecosystem supporting last-mile logistics has become increasingly digitized, automated, and dependent on real-time data exchange. While this shift fuels operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, it also introduces a broad spectrum of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, ranging from data breaches and payment fraud to the compromise of delivery systems and manipulation of supply chain data. This research explores the intersection of cybersecurity and q-commerce logistics by analyzing both primary and secondary data from the Indian market and broader Asian regions. The study identifies critical cyber risks in the q-commerce supply chain and proposes a resilient cybersecurity framework tailored for the high-speed, high-risk logistics environment. The paper contributes to the academic discourse by offering strategic, region-specific solutions and highlighting the growing need for secure digital infrastructures in fast-paced commerce models.
Introduction
Quick commerce (q-commerce) in India has rapidly transformed urban retail by offering ultra-fast deliveries, often within 10–30 minutes. Platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Dunzo have capitalized on high smartphone penetration, digital payments, and shifting consumer expectations to become integral to urban convenience.
Cybersecurity Challenges in Q-Commerce
The rapid expansion of q-commerce has introduced significant cybersecurity risks:
Expanded Attack Surface: The integration of real-time order management systems, third-party APIs, GPS-based delivery routing, cloud platforms, and mobile payment gateways has increased vulnerabilities. Exposed APIs, unpatched delivery dashboards, unsecured cloud storage, and weak endpoint device security have led to data breaches and disruptions. inc42.com
Inadequate Security Practices: Many Indian q-commerce firms prioritize delivery speed and growth metrics over robust security architectures. Gig workers and delivery partners often operate with minimal security awareness or device protections, making the last mile particularly vulnerable.
Lack of Research: While global literature addresses cybersecurity in supply chains and logistics, research intersecting cybersecurity with q-commerce logistics in India and Asia remains limited. Existing studies often focus on e-commerce cybersecurity from a consumer or fintech perspective, leaving a gap in understanding operational vulnerabilities and strategic defense mechanisms in rapid delivery models.
Research Objectives and Methodology
This research aims to:
Identify cybersecurity threats impacting q-commerce logistics across various layers.
Analyze cybersecurity readiness and risk perception among stakeholders involved in Indian q-commerce platforms.
Examine real-world incidents and vulnerabilities reported in India’s quick commerce sector.
Propose a strategic, scalable, and region-specific cybersecurity framework for high-speed, high-frequency last-mile logistics in the Indian q-commerce ecosystem.
Provide policy and business recommendations aimed at improving regulatory alignment, digital trust, and cybersecurity maturity in the q-commerce sector.indiancybersecuritysolutions.com
The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with industry stakeholders, including IT professionals, delivery partners, and logistics managers. Secondary data sources include industry reports, CERT-IN data, and academic publications.
Proposed Cybersecurity Framework
To address the evolving cybersecurity risks, the research proposes a comprehensive and resilient cybersecurity framework tailored for Indian q-commerce platforms. The framework emphasizes a multi-layered approach, combining technological controls, human-centric interventions, and strategic governance to strengthen digital defense across the entire delivery ecosystem.
Conclusion
Quick commerce has transformed how consumers in India and across Asia interact with goods and services, ushering in an era of ultra-fast delivery and convenience. However, this digital acceleration has also surfaced significant cybersecurity challenges that threaten the resilience, trustworthiness, and scalability of q-commerce ecosystems.
This research examined the cybersecurity risks inherent in India’s q-commerce logistics framework through a comprehensive analysis of both primary and secondary data. The findings reveal systemic gaps in endpoint protection, third-party risk management, and strategic oversight—especially among startups operating in high-growth phases. Moreover, the study highlighted the cultural and structural complexities of securing a decentralized, mobile-first, and gig-dependent industry.
By proposing a layered cybersecurity framework rooted in Zero Trust, regulatory compliance, and behavioural change, this paper contributes actionable insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and technology developers. A secure q-commerce model is not only technically achievable but strategically essential for maintaining market competitiveness, customer trust, and national infrastructure integrity.
References
[1] RedSeer Consulting. (2023). India Quick Commerce Market Report. Retrieved from https://redseer.com
[2] CERT-IN. (2023). Advisories on Emerging Threats. Retrieved from https://www.cert-in.org.in
[3] Deloitte. (2023). Securing the Last Mile in Quick Commerce. Deloitte Insights.
[4] McKinsey & Company. (2022). Digital Transformation in Asian Retail Logistics.
[5] PwC India. (2021). Cybersecurity in the Age of Instant Commerce. PwC Publications.
[6] National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC). (2022). Guidelines on Securing Critical Information Infrastructure. Government of India.
[7] Journal of Information Security and Applications. (2021). Cyber Threats in Last-Mile Logistics: A Review.
[8] ENISA. (2022). Cybersecurity Guidelines for the Supply Chain. European Union Agency for Cybersecurity.
[9] ISO/IEC. (2022). Information Security Management Systems — Requirements (ISO/IEC 27001).
[10] NIST. (2022). Cybersecurity Framework Version 1.1. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
[11] Data Security Council of India (DSCI). (2022). Digital Trust in Logistics and E-Commerce.
[12] SpringerLink. (2023). Integrated Cyber Risk Management in E-Commerce Supply Chains.