It will work towards pioneering advancements in blockchain, security for AI models, cryptography, quantum security, and IoT security.

Centre Coordinators Prof. Shweta Agrawal, Prof. Chester Rebeiro and Prof. John Augustine, faculty, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras and a host of eminent academicians and industry representatives from India and abroad were also present.

Recognizing that cybersecurity demands a multi-disciplinary approach, the research team at CyStar is diverse, encompassing a wide range of expertise.

Director of IIT Madras

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, with the growth of cyber threats, not just for financial gains but also targeted sector wise attacks on critical infrastructure, it is very important that we arrive at proactive cyber defence mechanisms to protect our Nation.

In this context, such efforts are extremely crucial, said director of IIT Madras.

Its’ focus would extend across sectors, addressing critical security challenges in industries like finance, healthcare, automotive and electronics, say sources from IIT Madras.

Partners

The key Research, Industry and Government partners of CyStar include the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Education, Vitesco Technologies, Kaspersky.

The other key research partners are IDBI Bank, LG India, Saptang Labs, Algorand, Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research and National Security Coordination Secretariat among others.

Key functions

Coordinator of CyStar Prof Shweta Agrawal spoke about the key functions of CyStar.

We are happy and excited to launch this center, which will bring together people with varied expertise to study the complex problem of cybersecurity, she said.

Our approach is multi-faceted. We aim to make contributions in domains ranging from fundamental research to real-world applications to fostering start-ups and everything in between, she said.

Coordinators

Coordinator at CyStar Prof. John Augustine said India is a federal country with a vast number of highly distributed social and business networks with diverse security needs.

CyStar’s vision is to empower individuals in this ecosystem to secure their lives and businesses through platforms that are designed with security, trust, and reliability in mind, he said.

Another Coordinator at CyStar Prof. Chester Rebeiro said CyStar at IIT Madras aims to address critical cyber security challenges in the country through fundamental and applied research, outreach programs, and by fostering industry-academia relationships.

Keynote speakers

Keynote speakers on the occasion included Prof. Shafi Goldwasser, Research Director, Simons Institute and Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Prof. Debdeep Mukhopadyay, Chair Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kharagpur.

Prof. Christian Scheideler, Head Professor, Theory of Distributed Systems, Paderborn University and Dr. Damien Stehlé, Chief Scientist, Cryptolab Inc., were also among the keynote speakers.

This approach will focus on safeguarding critical national infrastructure, offering a holistic defence against these advanced technological threats, say sources from IIT Madras.

Ecosystem

CyStar aspires to build a knowledge and innovation ecosystem where industry leaders, scholars and government institutions can collaborate with state-of-art technology to integrate and apply advancements in knowledge to real-time products or services in Cybersecurity.

Also Read – IIT Madras Professor Gets Great Highest Honor

The technology was developed by Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh and his team from the Department of Chemical Engineering in IIT Kanpur.

To facilitate its widespread adoption, IIT Kanpur has signed a technology transfer MoU with ScaNxt Scientific Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

The pact was signed in the presence of Prof. Raja Angamuthu, Associate Dean of Research & Development, IIT Kanpur and Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh (Inventor).

Device

The Soil Nutrient Sensing Device is a compact, smartphone-compatible innovation that provides real-time soil nutrient analysis, addressing the critical gap in timely soil testing for Indian farmers, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Traditionally reliant on district laboratories, farmers often face delays in receiving soil health assessments, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Portability

Designed for portability and ease of use, the device can assess multiple soil parameters simultaneously, storing data on a cloud server, with a single charge supporting up to 250 tests, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

This pioneering device leverages Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy to deliver instant soil health insights directly to a smartphone, eliminating the need for chemical reagents and complex testing processes.

By enabling precise nutrient management, the technology has the potential to transform agriculture, enhancing crop productivity, reducing fertilizer overuse, and contributing to both improved farmer incomes and environmental sustainability, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

By providing instant, reagent-free testing with Near Infrared Spectroscopy, this technology empowers farmers to make informed decisions, optimize fertilizer use, and boost productivity, he said.

Through our collaboration with ScaNxt Scientific Technologies, we aim to transform Indian agriculture and take this pioneering innovation to global markets, supporting the vision of sustainable farming practices, he said.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh and his team for this groundbreaking development, he said.

Inventor

Prof. Jayant Kumar Singh (inventor) said their development is a culmination of years of research and hard work aimed at addressing the real challenges farmers face in soil health assessment.

It’s truly gratifying to see this innovation, which offers immediate and accuratesoil analysis, now being transferred to ScaNxt Scientific Technologies for broader adoption, said Prof Jayant Kumar of IIT Kanpur.

This device not only empowers farmers with instant insights but also supports the creation of a national soil stack, aiding in better fertilizer management and promoting sustainability, he said.

I am excited to witness the positive impact it will have, both on the ground and at the policy level, as it contributes to a more sustainable and efficient agricultural landscape, he said.

Their collaboration with IIT Kanpur through the joint MoU will allow us to advance soil testing technologies further, integrating micro and secondary nutrient analysis into our BhuParikshak device, he said.

By combining NIR Spectroscopy, IoT, and AI/ML, we aim to provide farmers with even more precise and actionable data to optimize nutrient management and drive sustainable agricultural growth, he said.

Market and collaboration

The Indian soil testing equipment market, currently valued at approximately USD 114.43 million as of 2024, is set for significant expansion.

Driven by the increasing demand for efficient agricultural productivity solutions and the need for climate resilience, this market is projected to reach USD 145.83 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.08%.

This collaboration sets the stage for a transformative shift in soil health management, equipping farmers with immediate, data-driven insights and promoting sustainable agricultural practices both in India and globally.

Also Read – IIT Guwahati Develops great sustainable geopolymer