Sign in

Bengaluru to get ‘Cybersphere Centre for Excellence’ soon: Karnataka Home Minister

Bengaluru to establish a "Cybersphere Centre for Excellence" to enhance security and combat cybercrimes.

Published on: Sep 28, 2023, 12:24:49 IST
PTIPosted by
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

Bengaluru will soon have a state-of-the-art "Cybersphere Centre for Excellence" which would serve as a hub for knowledge sharing, innovation and skill development to enhance security, foster partnerships and combat cybercrimes.

Karnataka minister G Parameshwara. (PTI)
Karnataka minister G Parameshwara. (PTI)

The announcement was made on Wednesday by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara at the Techfusion Sunrise Summit-2023. The event, led by Director General & Inspector General of Karnataka Police Alok Mohan, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, and other senior police officers was attended by representatives from IT companies and others.

The session focused on key issues, including transparency, promoting student participation in law enforcement, revitalising Bengaluru's aesthetics and bolstering cyber and employee safety, among others.

READ | Karnataka minister for science, technology seeks ‘Science City’ in Bengaluru

According to officials, the proposed cybersphere centre which is a collaborative initiative between the Home department and the leading information technology and biotech companies would serve as a state-of-the-art hub for knowledge sharing, innovation, and skill development, aiming to enhance security, foster partnerships, and contribute to the prosperity of Bengaluru.

The objective of the centre is to create a Cybersphere Innovation Lab that will encourage collaborative innovation to develop cutting-edge technologies for law enforcement and public safety.

It will also facilitate the exchange of information and expertise between the Home department and the IT/ Biotech industries to improve security measures and strategies. It will also focus on offering training and skill development programs for both government and industry personnel to enhance their capabilities, the officials said.

"We also aim to promote community involvement in security initiatives and build trust between citizens and law enforcement. Focus would be laid on strategic innovation to contain cyber crimes, building firewalls towards cyber safety and ensure close technological monitoring of social media," the officials added.

The officials said that the centre will offer a range of activities and programmes including research and development projects which would be collaborative initiatives to develop technological solutions for law enforcement.

Elaborating on the activities, the officials said workshops and seminars would be conducted where industry experts and government officials can discuss security challenges, solutions, and emerging technologies.

Skill-building sessions would be conducted for law enforcement personnel in areas such as cyber security, data analytics, and emerging technologies. Focus will also be on creating public awareness campaigns to educate them on security issues and safety measures, he said.

READ | Shocking visuals of Bengaluru traffic holdup on ORR: Commuters stuck for hours ahead of long weekend

The officials said such improved collaboration will lead to more effective security measures, reducing crime rates and enhancing public safety.

"The centre will be a catalyst for innovation, resulting in the development of state-of-the-art technologies for law enforcement. Training programmes will equip law enforcement with advanced skills, ensuring they can adapt to evolving threats. Engaging with the community will foster trust and cooperation between citizens and the home department," a senior official said.

The officials said that funding for the proposed centre will be a shared responsibility between the home department and participating ICT/ biotech companies.

The project will be implemented in phases, with an initial focus on establishing the centre and launching collaborative workshops and seminars. Ongoing activities and projects will follow as part of a long-term commitment, they said.

Regular assessments will gauge the impact of the centre on security improvements, innovation outcomes, and skill development. Feedback from both government and industry stakeholders will guide ongoing adjustments, they added.

  • Yamini C S
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Yamini C S

    Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More