New Delhi:To enhance India’s information security infrastructure, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) and the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing research and development in crucial fields such as Cyber Security, Quantum Technologies, Hardware Security, and Cryptology. This collaboration is expected to significantly contribute to India’s mission of technological self-reliance and strengthen the Indian Army’s preparedness for future battlefields, in line with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The MoU was formally signed by Lt Gen KH Gawas, PVSM, VSM, Commandant of MCTE and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals, and Dr. N Subramanian, Executive Director of SETS, in the presence of esteemed officials including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, and Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India.
Key Focus Areas of the MoU:
- Prototyping and Field Trials: Developing and testing cutting-edge technologies in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and Network Security to explore their military applications.
- Training and Capacity Building: Conducting joint workshops, seminars, and certificate programs to enhance expertise in information security.
- Infrastructure Development: Establishing advanced laboratories at MCTE to support joint research in cyber and information security.
- Collaborative Development: Creating indigenous technologies such as Bharat Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) algorithms, Hardware Security Systems, and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, contributing to India’s secure military communications.
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood praised MCTE’s efforts in driving technological innovation within the Indian Army and emphasized the critical role cyber and quantum security will play in national defense. He described the collaboration between MCTE and SETS as a landmark initiative that will fortify India’s ability to tackle emerging cyber threats, stating, “This MoU is a catalyst for a seamless partnership that will significantly contribute to a safe and secure cyber environment for the nation.”
Lt Gen KH Gawas echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of collaboration between MCTE and SETS. He emphasized the alignment of this partnership with the core principle of “Nation First and National Security,” and how the synergy in network security, quantum computing, and cryptography will not only enhance indigenization efforts but also improve the operational efficiency of the Indian Army with customized security solutions.
Dr. N Subramanian, Executive Director of SETS, underscored the significance of this MoU in strengthening India’s defense capabilities. He highlighted that the combined expertise of SETS and MCTE would provide robust solutions to the emerging challenges in cyber and quantum defense, further propelling India towards technological self-reliance.