The urgency behind the lab’s development reflects the growing digital risks facing India
India’s cybersecurity posture for critical infrastructure has received a significant boost with the inauguration of a new Operational Technology (OT) Cyber Security Lab in Noida. The Data Security Council of India (DSCI), in collaboration with Siemens Limited, launched the facility in a move to strengthen the nation’s resilience against cyber threats to its essential systems, including power grids and manufacturing plants.
The new lab is designed to serve as a national resource, providing a safe and controlled environment for both established companies and startups to test and validate their security solutions. It is also set to become a hub for training and skill development, offering professionals from critical sectors hands-on exposure to advanced OT cybersecurity practices.
Addressing New Vulnerabilities
The urgency behind the lab’s development reflects the growing digital risks facing India. Suprakash Chaudhuri, Head of Digital Industries at Siemens Limited, said the launch was a strategic step toward securing the country’s critical infrastructure and manufacturing ecosystems. “As digitalisation accelerates… the convergence of IT and OT also exposes the systems to new vulnerabilities,” he said.
Shri KK Singh, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics & IT, welcomed the initiative as a crucial step for national security, noting that it should act as an “enabler for startups, researchers and industry professionals.” The lab is equipped with a testbed to conduct research on security vulnerabilities and test defense strategies. Insights gained will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders to enable timely mitigation.
Platform For Collaboration
Vinayak Godse, CEO of DSCI, said the new facility would facilitate collaboration between government agencies, academia, and the industry. He added that the lab would help user organisations and startups “innovate and validate the efficacy of their solutions in complex and regulated environments.”
The initiative is seen as an important step toward creating a unified response to cyber threats that target critical infrastructure. The collaboration aims to prepare the nation for a new era of digital risks and ensure the continued security of its essential services.