Providing a significant impetus to leveraging IIT Bombay’s expertise to develop technology in warfare, the IIT Bombay and Department of Electronics and Information Technology on Monday launched the National Center of Excellence in Technology for Internal Security (NCETIS) which will develop technological innovations to boost India’s internal security acumen.
“Internal security is a pertinent issue in today's day and age and I think setting up of a centre like this is a good step towards bridging the technology innovation gaps in this area,” former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Alok Joshi, who currently heads the National Technical Research Organization, said launching the NCETIS at IIT Bombay’s Powai campus.
Mr Joshi, a 1976-batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre who worked with the external intelligence agency, emphasised that it was time India needed to march towards the self reliance in terms of technology. "In my experience no nation shares high level technology with you in the right manner irrespective of your nature of relationship with that country. We need to acquire expertise in technology to ensure internal security," he said, without naming United States.
In his keynote address, he highlighted the key role played by technology in intelligence warfare. "Earlier we valued human resource more than technology. But in 1980s, technology took over and we were left far behind. Keeping pace with it became a daunting task and it also changed the perception of collecting information for intelligence," he said.
J.S. Deepak, Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) echoed him. “Internal security has distinct requirements in terms of complexities and challenges as the threats arise on account of various factors such as social structures and inherent inequities; therefore, a different approach would be essential. NCETIS is expected to address this national requirement,” he said.
What is NCETIS?
It is a joint venture of IIT Bombay and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) which aims to develop indigenous technology and self sufficiency in the broad areas of Electronic System Design Manufacturing in the strategic sector of internal security. It mainly will address the technology innovation gaps and the requirements of the security agencies. It has been set up under Central government's flagship Digital India initiative with an initial budget allocation of Rs. 83 crore for the first five years.
The centre will also try to identify industry partners for the possible commercialization of the developed technology. The centre aims to develop prototypes and provide solutions to the problems of security and paramilitary forces.
To achieve this goal, the focus areas which are identified as follows, wireless communication system, social networking and internet, video surveillance and analysis, Ground Penetrative Radar (GPR) for landmine detection, unmanned vehicles, cyber and data security, biometric applications, sensors and detectors for explosives, landmines, chemical and biological warfare, thermal imaging, product design, product interaction design and prototyping.
The workshop which followed the launch of the NCETIS had representatives from CRPF, CISF, State Police Forces, NIA, SPG, DRDO, Industry, NTRO and IITB faculty members.
