Rs 115 crore cryptology centre coming up in Kolkata

A first-of-its-kind Rs 115 crore cryptology centre will come up here in the next two years for carrying out research in providing data security to defence and finance sectors.
Being built by the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) near its north Kolkata campus, the main building of the R C Bose Centre for Cryptology and Security will be ready in the next two years, the centre's head Prof Rana Barua told PTI.
"It will be a first of its kind centre of excellence in India which would be fully devoted to research in cryptology and allied fields. The aim would be to provide data security in defence sectors and commercial transactions in the world of finance," he said.

Being built at a cost of Rs 115 crore, the centre will host around 50 researchers and will work in collaboration with government agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
"ISI already has a small cryptology research group where our experts are sometimes consulted by the DRDO and the Navy," Barua said.
ISI director Bimal K Roy said it will play a significant role in augmenting indigenous capabilities in the critical fields of cryptology and information security.

"It is an important element of the overall efforts and framework to enhance capabilities to ensure holistic security of the Indian cyber space. With an eminent body of world class experts, it will act as a hub for all cryptographic requirements, cutting edge research and technology development within the country," he said.

Collaborating with other institutes like IITs and IISc, they will work on fundamental theoretical research and its application in various fields.
With the explosive growth of computerisation, networking and the internet coupled with the increasing importance of electronic commerce, cryptography has become an essential component of all electronic data exchange and economic activity.