IIT Madras launches CyStar

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) introduces CyStar , an effort to strengthen India’s cybersecurity. CyStar stands for Centre of Cybersecurity, Trust and reliability. The purpose of the centre is to boost both, the fundamental and the applied research which focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure and aim at the the growing cyber security needs of different industries such as finance, healthcare, automotive and electronics.

CyStar will foster research in several cutting-edge fields , which involves blockchain technology, security for AI models, cryptography , quantum security and IoT security. He research will enhance India’s cybersecurity and along with , it stimulate innovations as well , which can be applied globally.

The centre was inaugurated on Tuesday , October 8,2024. The cermony was honored by the presence of Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, along with CyStar coordinators Professor Shweta Agrawal, Professor Chester Rebeiro, and Professor John Augustine, all from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Madras. Prominient academicians and industry leaders from around the world also participated in the event.

While addressing the audience , Professor V. Kamakoti highlighted the importance of proactive cyber defence mechanisms to safeguard India’s critical infrastructure. He focused on the growing cyber threats, not only for financial gains but also through sector-specific attacks that target vital national systems. “With the rise in targeted attacks on our infrastructure, efforts like CyStar are crucial for national security,” said Prof. Kamakoti.

The multidisciplinary research team is equipped to address these challenges , with diverse range of expertise spanning differently over aspects of cybersecurity.

Professor Shweta Agrawal, one of the coordinators at CyStar, expressed her excitement about the centre’s launch. “We aim to bring together a diverse team of experts to tackle cybersecurity challenges from multiple angles—ranging from fundamental research to real-world applications. Our goal is to foster start-ups and innovations in this space,” she said.

Professor John Augustine added that India’s vast and distributed networks demand unique solutions tailored to diverse security needs. He noted, “CyStar’s vision is to empower individuals and businesses by providing secure platforms built on trust and reliability.”