BENGALURU:
Concerns Regarding India’s Technological Development
S. Somanath, the chairman of ISRO, recently voiced his apprehensions about India’s standing in the realm of core technology advancement within the information technology sector. Despite India’s notable achievements in IT services, he emphasized a considerable disparity when it comes to creating original software products and foundational technologies.
This statement came during the inauguration of ‘Cyber Nalanda,’ a new research and development center focused on cybersecurity, established by SISA near Devanahalli on Bengaluru’s outskirts.
A Discrepancy in IT Services and Core Technology
Somanath pointed out a stark contrast between India’s capabilities in IT services and its deficiencies in developing essential technologies. While India has made significant strides in delivering IT services and constructing platforms for international clients, it has not been as successful in generating homegrown software solutions.
He remarked, “When we examine our work over the years concerning IT services and tools, one disappointing aspect is that we have primarily focused on existing technologies to devise solutions.” He further elaborated that although India has excelled at creating platforms for global markets—contributing significantly to job creation and revenue generation—the narrative changes when discussing core technology development. “The output from Indian industries regarding applications or software within core technological fields is alarmingly low,” he stated.
Dependence on Foreign Software Tools
Somanath highlighted that many essential software tools utilized across various sectors—including space exploration—are still sourced from foreign entities rather than being developed domestically. To combat this trend, ISRO is actively working towards producing proprietary software solutions internally. He cited examples like FEAST (Finite Element Analysis Structures) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools that are currently employed within ISRO and are being prepared for commercial distribution.
Emphasizing Cybersecurity Needs
In addition to addressing technological gaps, Somanath underscored the urgent necessity for robust cybersecurity measures tailored specifically for national infrastructure as well as space assets. He pointed out potential vulnerabilities present within satellite networks and ground stations while stressing the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols. The implications of these vulnerabilities extend beyond just technical concerns; they touch upon national security interests as well as financial systems integrity.
Fostering Collaboration Between Academia and Industry
During his address, Somanath advocated for cultivating an ecosystem that bridges researchers with academia and industry professionals aimed at developing top-tier hardware and software products. He stressed how vital it is to inspire leadership while assembling teams filled with motivated individuals who can spearhead innovation efforts related to core technology advancements.
The Vision Behind ‘Cyber Nalanda’
With the laying of its foundation stone completed, SISA will commence construction on ‘Cyber Nalanda,’ envisioned as a global center dedicated to cybersecurity innovation with an emphasis on academic partnerships designed to tackle skill shortages prevalent within this field. The organization plans to allocate 10% of its annual revenue towards research initiatives at this facility.
Upon completion, ‘Cyber Nalanda’ will provide certification programs accredited by ANAB aimed at training aspiring cybersecurity professionals—a response targeting approximately 3.5 million unfilled positions worldwide within this sector.
Dharshan Shanthamurthy, CEO of SISA, articulated that their objective revolves around crafting solutions capable of addressing emerging threats posed by advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics innovations like 6G connectivity standards along with quantum computing developments—emphasizing a transition “from merely focusing on cybersecurity toward ensuring cyber safety.”
Student Of Government Collage Of Engineering and part time journalist.Follow for topics such as politics,new technology,gaming etc..
