In a strategic move aimed at bolstering cybersecurity efforts and fostering international cooperation, the United States consulate in India has launched a cybersecurity initiative in Pune, Maharashtra.
Launched in partnership with the Maratha Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture (MCCIA), the initiative marks a significant step towards positioning Pune as a global hub for cybersecurity excellence, according to an official statement by the US embassy.
Reflecting the United States and India’s shared vision for a world that is open, secure, and prosperous, #CGHankey joined the launch of the U.S.-India Cybersecurity Initiative by @MCCIA_Pune. Together, we will foster robust IT connections bringing together the best cybersecurity… pic.twitter.com/a1rMj4dRqD
— U.S. Consulate Mumbai (@USAndMumbai) February 26, 2024
Mike Hankey, the U.S. Consul General in Mumbai, a key figure behind the initiative, highlighted its pivotal role in connecting top cybersecurity experts from the US, India, and across the globe.
“We need to jointly improve our ability to respond to and recover from cyber threats. Our two countries have a variety of collaborations on cybersecurity capacity-building, cybersecurity research and development, combating cybercrime, international security, and internet governance,” he said.
With a focus on job creation, innovation, and people-to-people ties, the initiative aims to harness the collective expertise to mitigate cybersecurity threats effectively.
Addressing the importance of cybersecurity in the bilateral relationship between the US and India, Hankey stressed the shared challenge of minimizing cyber threats while harnessing the potential of the digital revolution for global prosperity.
The initiative seeks to bridge this gap by facilitating collaborations between research institutions, industry players, and civil society in both countries. Leading US cybersecurity companies have enthusiastically joined the initiative, offering to provide skills training to Indian partners, the consulate said in a statement.
Moreover, sister cities like Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California, along with prominent US research universities, have also offered their support to the initiative.
Hankey reiterated the importance of cybersecurity in unlocking the economic and societal benefits of emerging technologies while acknowledging the pressing need for joint efforts to combat cyber threats.
Speaking at the launch, MCCIA president Deepak Karandikar and director general Prashant Girbane also stressed on the initiative’s strategic significance in addressing the evolving challenges of the digital age.
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