IIT Madras Launches CyStar in India

The mission of this new cybersecurity centre is to advance cybersecurity through innovative research and education.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has inaugurated a new cybersecurity centre aimed at advancing fundamental and applied research to foster innovation in the country. Called the ‘Centre for Cybersecurity, Trust and Reliability’ (CyStar), it will focus on pioneering advancements in blockchain technology, AI model security, cryptography, quantum security, and IoT security.

The launch was attended by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, along with Centre Coordinators Prof. Shweta Agrawal, Prof. Chester Rebeiro, and Prof. John Augustine from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, as well as distinguished academicians and industry leaders from India and abroad.

Located at IIT Madras, CyStar will implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle emerging cybersecurity challenges associated with AI and the post-quantum era. This strategy will prioritize the protection of critical national infrastructure, providing a defence against advanced technological threats.

Addressing the launch event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “With the growth of cyber threats, not just for financial gains but also targeted sector wise attacks on critical infrastructure, it is very important that we arrive at proactive cyber defence mechanisms to protect our Nation. In this context, such efforts are extremely crucial.”

The Centre will collaborate globally and locally with academia, industry and research institutions, equipping students, professionals and researchers with the expertise needed to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s complex security challenges, thereby contributing to a safer digital world. Its’ focus would extend across sectors, addressing critical security challenges in industries like finance, healthcare, automotive and electronics.