IT companies are cancelling trips to Mumbai and Bangalore in the wake of the attacks on Mumbai, and overseas clients are pulling out of visits.

They fear that the troubles in Mumbai may not yet be over, and that the IT hub might be the next target after the financial capital.

Nasscom remains defiant, with a spokesperson promising, "We will not bow down to terror. As an industry that is international and services customers across the globe, we continue our operations uninterrupted from centres across India, and even Mumbai."

But Dell and Hewlett-Packard (HP) have cancelled staff movement in India, fearing further terror. Dell's vice president for global security has sent an email to employees, urging them not to travel to India for the next 48 hours. HP is taking a similar stance, according to a spokeswoman, closing its Mumbai office and asking employees not to travel in the city. Both companies issued statements stating that all their employees are safe.

Infosys Technologies says foreign clients have cancelled trips, concerned about employee security. A  spokesman said that all of the company's Mumbai employees have been asked to work from home, and Cisco has take the same step.

A senior Wipro security official said, "We have initiated enhanced security measures as per our standard operating procedure across locations." The company is believed to be planning to install screening machines to check all baggage entering offices.  Laxman Badiga, CIO of Wipro, said that the company is continuously monitoring the situation.

Bangalore, which draws 90 per cent of its revenues from the US and Europe, could lose its reputation as a safe business destination. About 600,000 IT and BPO professionals reside in the city, where security is the most important need of the moment.

A global security officer of a BPO firm told IT Examiner, "The building/software park authorities have intensified the security vigilance with patrolling, double checking any unidentified vehicles or baggages. At our office premises, vehicles without the company’s identification are thoroughly cross checked. Also, employees and visitors are requested to inform the security in case of any unidentified baggages or people. Footpaths and dark corners are being scanned.  In addition, mirrors to check undercarriage of vehicles, metal detectors are being pressed into action.The boom barriers have been installed at night to ensure vehicles are allowed only after thorough check. Employees without identity cards are thoroughly checked and frisked if necessary.”

Organisers of upcoming IT events in the city are worried, as there is a definite sense of insecurity among visitors. ET Asia IT Expo - scheduled for inauguration today - has been cancelled. X