Did you know? Ransomware attacks occur every 14 seconds. This alarming number is only set to increase to every 11 seconds by 2021.

-The 2019 Official Annual Cybercrime Report (ACR) by Cybersecurity Ventures. *

In response to the complex nature of threats the cyberspace deals with, the industry is expected to grow from $75 billion to $170 billion in the next five years, or so, thereby skyrocketing the need for trained cybersecurity professionals ** and DSCI (Data Security Council of India) have proactively set up the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE).

What is Cybersecurity CoE?

The Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE) is a glocal hub based in Hyderabad to catalyse innovation, entrepreneurship and capability building in cybersecurity and privacy. It is a joint initiative of the Government of Telangana and DSCI setup to create a safe, secure and trusted cyberspace. The CCoE’s objective is to build best practices, standards and execute initiatives in the cybersecurity and privacy domain.

The launch of the Cybersecurity CoE facility:

The Cybersecurity CoE nurtures the culture of innovation and has taken a vital step towards this initiative by setting up the Cybersecurity CoE facility. The facility is scheduled to launch on the 28th of January 2020 by Shri K.T. Rama Rao – Minister for IT, Industries, MA & UD, Telangana. The Cybersecurity CoE thus supports the cybersecurity ecosystem by incubating start-ups, conducting trainings/workshops/events, showcasing products in experience zone, hosting delegations and enabling access to local, national and international initiatives.

Cybersecurity CoE facility’s founding partners:

The Government of Telangana and DSCI have set up the CCoE to meet the twin objective to create a safe, secure and trusted cyberspace and leverage the global opportunities in cybersecurity. Its founders play a major role in driving innovation and accelerating the cybersecurity momentum.

  1. DSCI (Data Security Council of India) – Setup by NASSCOM® in 2008, DSCI is a not for profit, premier industry body on data protection in India committed to making the cyberspace safe, secure and trusted by establishing best practices, standards, and initiatives in cybersecurity and privacy. It engages with governments and their agencies, regulators, industry sectors, industry associations and think tanks for policy advocacy, thought leadership, capacity building, and outreach activities to fulfill its objectives. It endeavours to increase India’s share in the global security product and services market through global trade development initiatives. It aims to strengthen the security and privacy culture in India.
  2. The Government of Telangana – The Government of Telangana nurtures the path of ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ with a vision to position Telangana as the most preferred investment destination in India. It facilitates collaborative and innovative technology solutions and plans for future growth while protecting and enhancing the quality of life. As a step towards this effort, the government has set up Cybersecurity CoE to collaborate with multiple stakeholders such as the industry and educational institutes to uplift the cybersecurity ecosystem. The state government has released first of a kind separate policy on Cybersecurity that offers attractive fiscal incentives to start-ups like granting performance-linked incentives (5% of turnover) to start-ups that record consistent year-on-year growth rate, providing cost reimbursements on travel (30%), patent filing (up to INR 2,00,000 per Indian patent and INR 10,00,000 per foreign patent awarded), internet charges (25%), etc., offering recruitment assistance of INR 10,000 per employee to promote idea stage companies, providing R&D grants (10% of overall expenses or 2% of annual turnover) to cybersecurity companies and much more. For further information on initiatives, please visit the cybersecurity policy document in the resources section of ccoe.dsci.in

Features of the Cybersecurity CoE incubation facility:

The facility is set up to meet Cybersecurity CoE’s need to facilitate and nurture innovation. Through its incubation programs, it aims to help Cybersecurity product start-ups exposed to two huge success gaps –

  • The high mortality rate in the market.
  • The rapidly evolving Indian cybersecurity landscape.

Key Offerings:

  • Physical and virtual incubation programs with several hard and soft benefits.
  • Infrastructure to enable growth
  • An environment for insightful discussions
  • Collaboration with organizations across industries
  • Guidance on innovation and capacity building
  • Acceleration programs and industry hackathons
  • Access to top-notch experts and mentors in cybersecurity

Who can benefit from this incubation facility?

The facility offers incubation to early-stage start-ups with MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and to innovative and disruptive companies with cybersecurity solutions. This incubation facility primarily supports the development of start-ups by providing them with advisory and administrative support to potentially transform them into successful firms that can thrive in the market on their own.

Physical and virtual incubation:

Every budding start-up comes across roadblocks on its journey. The incubation facility supports the growth of selected cybersecurity and privacy products and services start-ups via its focused physical/virtual incubation programs. It grants selected cybersecurity/privacy start-ups access to superior resources, technology, talent and networks to unlock their potential and allow them to create business value. Its virtual incubation program provides benefits to cybersecurity start-ups across the world that are unable to be physically present in the Telangana facility. The facility deeply impacts start-ups and steers them towards success through a gamut of resources and a network of ingenious industry experts.

CTA for applications & how to apply:

Currently, the incubation facility is reaching out to cybersecurity product start-ups and accepting applications for to its focused physical/virtual incubation programs. The facility is in Hyderabad. If you are not looking for physical relocation, start-ups can instead opt for the virtual incubation facility. Requesting interested start-ups to please visit the links below and APPLY TODAY;

Physical Incubation
Virtual Incubation

Once the facility receives applications, the applicants are shortlisted via a screening process. The selected start-ups are incubated, either physically or virtually, the choice of which depends upon the type of incubation they apply for. Further on, the facility nurtures their development through its high impact physical and virtual incubation programs. The constant access to a pool of highly qualified mentors, trainers and talented professionals helps increase the incubated start-ups chances of success in the market. For any queries, please write to marketing.ccoe@dsci.in or visit ccoe.dsci.in

* Source – https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damages-6-trillion-by-2021/
** Source – https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2016/06/cybersecurity-more-threats-but-also-more-opportunities/