Amrita University’s Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and its Center for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks (CCSN) have both come together to set up a startup hub that will focus exclusively on cybersecurity. The venture will bring together research, funding and industry on the same platform to build the next wave of startups in India. About Rs. 2 crore has been earmarked for this project.
According to Krishnashree Achuthan, CEO of Amrita University’s TBI, today, there is more threat to human beings through cyber-related issues than physical ones. “There is a dire need for startups in the security space. There are more than 4,000 startups in the country today, but less than 100 operate in the field of cybersecurity and build related products,” she added.
“We have picked up three startups in the first phase. They will be mentored for two to three years and we will also help them with funding,” said Ms. Krishnashree adding that anybody with a good idea in this space will be accommodated in the TBI. The focus areas will include mobile, cloud, cyber-physical systems, digital forensics, cryptography and malware analysis.
There are plans to train high school students on cybersecurity issues. “Kids have access to technology at an early age and we want them to be aware of these issues,” Ms. Krishnashree said.
Amrita University’s Technology Business Incubator is one of the six incubators selected from 232 contenders across India to be made world-class under NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). Each of these will receive Rs.10 crore over a span of two years to provide infrastructure to the incubated startups. The Amrita University Cybersecurity Startup Hub is being established as a part of this initiative.
