GU, DRDO to set up cyber security research centre

The MoU was signed between both the agencies in October 2021 for the SVP-CCR, which will be set up on the top floor of Gujarat University’s upcoming Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Extension and Research and Innovation (CERI) on its campus.

“The centre will take care of future threats to national security and offer technology to protect systems from insilico cyber attacks,” Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Professor Himanshu Pandya told The Indian Express.

Aimed at collaborative research work in five verticals — IOT, cyber security, malware analysis, cryptocurrency analysis and cyber defence, the centre will engage researchers, faculties, incubators at the GU as well as other institutes, industries, DRDO laboratories and industrial research laboratories. Looking at future requirements, more verticals would be added, with at least 100 researchers working under each vertical, added Pandya.

The DRDO will provide problem statements where students supported by faculty members as principal investigators will work and will be joined by experts and professionals.

The centre will be governed by a Governing Council and projects will be reviewed and evaluated by a Technical Expert Committee (TEC). The guidelines state that any change in the MoU will be made with the recommendation of the Governing Council and subsequent approval from the authorities concerned.