Telangana's Pioneering Cybersecurity Ecosystem
Telangana is one of the youngest states with a thriving innovation ecosystem. With the rapid rise in digitalization, the state has been proactively addressing the dire need for cybersecurity and fostering the creation of an unmatched cybersecurity ecosystem through key initiatives.
With dedicated efforts and initiatives in cybersecurity, such as a state policy and the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, Telangana is accelerating the cybersecurity momentum in India while nurturing employable talent.
Cybersecurity Policy
Telangana is the first state in India to have its own cybersecurity policy and has established a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Hyderabad to protect, uplift, and build a solid ecosystem for cybersecurity and privacy.
The Telangana Cybersecurity Policy framework was released on September 15, 2016, as part of the state's sectoral policy for information technology. Cybersecurity, data centers, data analytics, and open data were identified as the four key areas to help generate more employment and boost investments.
There have been concerted efforts to comprehensively create a robust cybersecurity regulatory framework for IT through collaborations and partnerships. Ambitious MoUs and letters of understanding have been signed to develop smart cities, data centers, and digital platforms with various MNCs and international and national governmental bodies.
The policy lays out a comprehensive framework on cybersecurity business frameworks and stakeholders' responsibilities, including fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, strategic partnerships, R&D grants, workforce capacity building, and cybersecurity acculturation.
Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE)
Set up in 2020, the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) is a joint initiative of the Government of Telangana and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) with the aim to provide secure and resilient cyberspace to fulfill the needs of the digital economy and society by creating a cluster of cybersecurity organizations in the state.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, tools, and infrastructure for the development of cutting-edge cybersecurity products. The focus is to effectively incubate start-ups, host training sessions, workshops, and events, and showcase products in an experience zone that will enable emerging start-ups and cybersecurity enterprises to attain world-class capabilities.
Since its inception, CCoE has been catalyzing the cybersecurity ecosystem, especially start-ups and the Global Capability Centres of the world’s biggest tech MNCs with operations in the state. From forging collaborations with Russia, the UK, the Netherlands, and Canada to galvanizing new partnerships with industry and academia, CCoE is leaving no stone unturned towards leading and promoting a vibrant cybersecurity innovation ecosystem.
Recent Developments
As India moved towards digitalization at an unprecedented rate due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Telangana has been the fastest adopter of digital and cybersecurity technologies. Here are some of the latest major developments paving the way for Telangana to become India’s cybersecurity hub:
- Estonia Collaboration: Europe’s most digital nation, the Republic of Estonia, renewed its MoU with Telangana to deepen cooperation in areas such as ICT, cybersecurity, and blockchain (July 2021).
- Tech Mahindra Partnership: Tech Mahindra and CCoE, DSCI collaborate to drive innovation, offering opportunities for start-ups to co-innovate and co-create business concepts and solutions for key customers globally (October 2021).
- Cyber Ambassadors Initiative: Young students from 1,650 schools across 33 districts have been recognized as cyber cops and will be known as cyber ambassadors—a drive by the State Police Women Safety Wing, SHE Teams, School Education Department, and NGO partner Youngistaan Foundation (November 2021).
- Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School: CCoE collaborated with the Municipality of the Hague, the Government of Telangana, and other key organizations for the 4th edition of the Indo-Dutch Cyber Security School (IDCSS) to nurture the cybersecurity talent pool in the state (October 2021).
- Cybercrime Legislation: Telangana is soon to become the first state in the country to have its own legislation on cybercrime, under the leadership of Sri K.T. Rama Rao, IT and Industries Minister of Telangana (October 2021).
- Great AppSec Hackathon: CCoE organized India’s largest hackathon on Application Security—THE GREAT APPSEC HACKATHON under the APP SECURITY CHAMPION program. This initiative brought together leading cybersecurity companies, government organizations, tech associations, and academic institutes to foster cybersecurity skills among college students (August-November 2021).
Cybersecurity will remain a powerful growth engine for India to become a trustworthy $1 trillion digital economy by 2025. Telangana remains at the forefront of India’s cybersecurity development, entrepreneurship, and innovation story. The pioneering initiatives by the government, Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, MNCs, and other key stakeholders are transforming the state into a cybersecurity powerhouse. This collaborative innovation ecosystem will become a beacon for the rest of the nation.
References:
- TS Cyber Security Legislation Will Guide Rest of India: KTR
- Estonia to Strengthen Ties with Telangana
- Hyderabad to Get Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity
- TS to Have Law on Cybercrime
- Telangana Students Recognized as Cyber Cops
- Tech Mahindra Cyber Security Innovation Ecosystem
- Telangana Cyber Security Policy
