IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub Upgraded to a Technology Translational Research Park (TTRP)

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s C3iHub has been upgraded to a Technology Translational Research Park (TTRP) by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Among the selected institutions, C3iHub has been designated to host one of these prestigious TTRPs, with a dedicated focus on cybersecurity.

The TTRP at IIT Kanpur will specifically focus on advancing cybersecurity technologies and supporting deep-tech startups while promoting strong industry-academia partnerships. After a thorough examination of the proposal from IIT Kanpur, the Mission Governing Board of NM-ICPS has selected C3iHub for upgradation to TTRP under NM-ICPS in the focus area of “Cybersecurity”.

This announcement was made during a review meeting by the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh. This development India’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge technological innovations for both societal and commercial applications.

The TTRP has been designed to enable the transformation of research into market-ready solutions. By upgrading existing Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), such as C3iHub, into TTRPs, the DST seeks to enhance collaboration between academia, industry, and startups.

“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to pioneering research and innovation in cybersecurity. The enhanced support will further accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into impactful, market-ready solutions and strengthen our role in advancing national cybersecurity capabilities. I congratulate the entire C3iHub team on this well-deserved achievement,” said Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.

As a leading TIH under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), C3iHub will continue to work towards strengthening national by securing critical infrastructure, protecting data privacy and integrity, tracking evolving cybercrimes, and more.

With DST NM-ICPS support, C3iHub, as a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) during mission tenure, i.e., 2020-2024, has successfully deployed more than 15 technology products, nurtured 49 start-ups, 3 spokes, and 50 spikes, with 60% start-ups commercializing one or more products and 25% of R&D delivering demonstrable technology solutions. More than ten thousand individuals have been skilled by C3iHub at various skill levels including master’s degree in cyber security, six month long certification programs, specialized hands-on training programs for organizations, and vocational training at scale to support and strengthen the startup and R&D ecosystem in cybersecurity.

With its elevation to a TTRP, C3iHub is set to lead in cybersecurity innovation, advancing research, empowering startups, and nurturing talent.

C3iHub at IIT Kanpur Signs MoU with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd in the Field of Cybersecurity

• The MoU was officially signed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), C3iHub, Dr. Tanima Hajra and Head - Weapons, Sensors & Security of TASL, Shri Suresh Baroth
• This collaboration will bring together the expertise and resources of both organizations to drive innovation and cutting-edge solutions in cybersecurity

C3iHub, a cybersecurity Technology Innovation hub at IIT Kanpur, supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India under NM-ICPS Mission, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and the esteemed strategic Aerospace and Defense arm of the TATA Group.

This landmark partnership brings together two organizations to advance the realm of cybersecurity through collaborative research, innovation, and development. The MoU was officially signed by Dr. Tanima Hajra, Chief Operating Officer (COO), C3iHub; and Shri Suresh Baroth, Head, Weapons, Sensors & Security of Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Project Director of C3iHub

The TASL team visited the C3iHub facilities

The TASL team also included Dr. Jitendra Mohan Bhardwaj (CIO, CISO, and Head of Cyber Security division), Shri Yatan Mishra (Head of Engineering, Weapons & Sensors Division), and Shri Sanjay Rastogi (Head of Communications); and the C3iHub team included Prof. Manindra Agrawal (Project Director), Prof. Sandeep K Shukla (Project Director), and Shri Rohit Negi (Senior Vice-President).

By joining forces, C3iHub and TASL aim to leverage their expertise, knowledge, and resources to address the pressing challenges posed by ever-evolving cyber threats in the defense sector.

While welcoming the guests, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Project Director of C3iHub informed that “C3iHub has gradually developed its expertise in the field of cybersecurity. With an aim to share our expertise, the MoU signing with the TASL is a major step in this direction. I look forward for a greater collaboration.”

Shri Suresh Baroth, Head, Weapons, Sensors & Security of TASL said, “TASL made various weapon systems for Indian Armed Forces and our main objective is to Cyberproof and Cybersecure these systems and no one is better than C3iHub to test these systems.”

The MoU signing between C3iHub and TASL marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, filled with opportunities to shape the future of cybersecurity. This collaboration brings together the expertise and resources of both organizations to drive innovation and create cutting-edge solutions in the realm of cybersecurity.

C3iHub at IIT Kanpur has taken the lead in cyber security by establishing a research center that addresses all aspects of critical infrastructure protection. It focuses on all aspects, including analysing security vulnerabilities and developing tools to address them at various levels of system architecture, to translating these tools into deployment-ready software, to nucleating start-ups developing such tools at scale, to partnering with industries within domain for co-development and technology transfer, and to training the next generation of cybersecurity researchers to build a cybersecurity ecosystem.

About C3iHub

C3iHub is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. C3iHub addresses cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems in its entirety. C3iHub detects security vulnerabilities in critical cyber-physical systems, develops security tools to address the vulnerabilities, nucleates start-ups and partners with industries to commercialize the security tools, and provides training to the next generation of cybersecurity researchers.

About Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and the strategic Aerospace and Defense arm of the TATA Group. TASL specializes in developing advanced technological solutions for the Aerospace and Defense sectors, leveraging its expertise, experience, and commitment to innovation. As a trusted partner, TASL strives to push the boundaries of excellence and contribute to the growth of the nation's defense capabilities.

C3iHub, IIT Kanpur Launches 1st Cohort of Cyber Security Start-ups & R&D Investigators

The program aims to nurture the next generation of cyber security entrepreneurs and develop products and services to safeguard critical infrastructure

• C3iHub, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur launched the first cohort of 13 start-ups and 25 R&D Principal Investigators for Incubation and Research programs
• The cohort would be working across domains of Cyber Security Domains like UAV Security, Blockchain, Intrusion Detection and Cyber Physical System
• This would go a long way in strengthening the Cyber Security ecosystem in India

23rd July 2021, Kanpur: C3iHub, the Technology Innovation Hub on Cyber Security at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur today launched the first cohort of start-ups who will develop services and products across the critical cyber security domains of UAV Security, Blockchain, Intrusion Detection, and Cyber Physical System. 

The first cohort includes a select group of 13 start-ups and 25 R&D Principal Investigators for Incubation and Research programs respectively who were selected after a rigorous application process. The presence of cutting-edge technology in cyber security is accompanied by an increasing need to protect digital assets and deploy solutions for the common public as well as government and industry.

The event was graced by Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; Prof. Sandeep Verma, Secretary, SERB; Prof. AR Harish, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Project Director, C3iHub, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Co-Project Director, C3iHub, IIT Kanpur; and Dr Nikhil Agarwal, CEO, C3iHub, IIT Kanpur. The honorable panelists charted a way forward for the selected cohort aiming to redefine cyber security with a holistic approach in India. The dynamic nature of threats and ever evolving advancements necessitates the need for dedicated centres such as C3iHub supported by an evolving ecosystem such as IIT Kanpur.

Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India said “The Government is committed to bring India to a leadership position in Cyber Security. C3iHub IIT Kanpur’s focus on safeguarding cyberspace including critical infrastructure is vital in this regard. I urge innovators and researchers to take up challenges by solving problems through technology."

Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur shared, “We are excited to launch the first set of start-ups cohort in cyber security. Over the next few years, C3iHub is committed to create a vibrant eco system of cyber security start-ups fostering world class innovations”.

The event brought together industry veterans and experts in the Indian cyber security space to commemorate the launch of the start-up and R&D cohort. The start-ups, supported by C3iHub at IIT Kanpur, will innovate to disrupt the cyber security space, focusing on design and development of services and products to safeguard India’s critical infrastructure. The program’s interdisciplinary focus will nurture R&D in cyber security and cyber physical systems across India.

Prof Manindra Agarwal noted, “C3iHub aims to develop technologies for cyber security, work with industry and nucleate start-ups to deploy them, and train a new generation of cyber security experts. Our target is to become the leading source of cyber security related technologies in the country.”

Dr Nikhil Agarwal, congratulating the selected cohort at C3iHub, said, “We will be incubating around 25 start-ups with a generous funding support every year. The first cohort of researchers and start-ups is a demonstration of increasing interest in cyber security in India”

About C3iHub (https://c3ihub.org/)

C3iHub has been set up to address the issue of cyber security of cyber physical systems in its entirety. From analysing security vulnerabilities and developing tools to address them at various levels of system architecture, to translating these tools to deployment ready software, to nucleating start-ups developing these tools at scale, to partnering with industries in this domain and co-development and transfer of these technologies, to train the next generation of cyber security researchers and professionals.