Infosys, University of Belfast in pact to combat cyber security threats

Following the signing of the UK-India cooperation deal in Februaury 2013 for the creation of a joint task force to exchange and share information to identify and counter cyber security threats, Infosys Technologies has signed a strategic partnership with Queen's University Belfast, aimed at combating the global cyber security threat.

The collaboration brings together Infosys with Queen's University Belfast's Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), one of UK's largest and most prestigious university cyber security research labs, and Invest Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland government's regional business development agency.

The partnership will establish a research, education and commercialisation model, to develop solutions and intellectual property for combating cyber security threats arising out of the rise of digital and cloud-based business models. Infosys and CSIT will work jointly on a range of topics including combating malware, security of mobile and cloud infrastructures, and privacy issues for financial markets.

The three-year agreement will lead to the establishment of a CSIT-Infosys Cyber Lab that will become part of a global network of companies and institutions developing security technologies. As part of the CSIT advisory and governing board, Infosys will play a key role in developing the Centre's research roadmap and gain access to its research and technologies for commercial usage.

Infosys and CSIT will also promote joint research projects and sponsor PhD scholarships, internships, faculty sabbatical and exchange programs.

They will impart training and education on advanced concepts in data privacy, cloud, contemporary web application and wireless security as well as intelligent surveillance systems. Together, the partners will also jointly seek funding from agencies in India and Europe for relevant projects.

''The rise of cloud and mobility solutions has only increased the need for greater cyber security," said Subu Goparaju, senior vice pesident, Infosys Labs and Products R&D. "This is a top concern we hear from executives around the globe. Our partnership with Queen's University will provide Infosys with insights into cyber-crimes and access to the important work being done at CSIT. We believe the outcome of this partnership will not only result in stronger products for our clients, but in a safer digital world.''

Signing the strategic partnership vice chancellor of Queen's University Belfast, professor Sir Peter Gregson said, ''Queen's both welcomes and values its partnership agreement with Infosys, one of India's leading technology companies. Cyber security affects us all. Be it via smartphones and their apps, online banking or through developments in cloud based services, we are all at risk of cyber security attacks.

''Queen's agreement sees InfoSys join with over 20 other industrial partners, including many global players who have committed to supporting CSIT in its quest to solve some of the real world security challenges of the future. It is intended that through this partnership society will be the real winner.''

The announcement comes after UK Prime Minister David Cameron's recent visit to India when he signed the UK-India cooperation deal that will see the creation of a joint task force to exchange and share information to identify and counter cyber security threats.

Commenting on the Queen's Infosys partnership, minister for universities and science David Willetts said, ''The UK is recognised as a world-leader in combating cybercrime and has real competitive and technology advantages in this field.

The work at Queen's University's CSIT, which I have seen at first hand, is a tangible example of our expertise in this area and I welcome its latest partnership with Infosys. It will be good for Infosys, good for Queen's University and good for the interests of all our households and businesses in both our countries.''

Enterprise minister, Arlene Foster said, "I am delighted to see that the initial introductions made by Invest Northern Ireland's team based in India, linking Queen's to Infosys' Global Internship Programme and Infosys Labs, have developed and grown into a viable and important business partnership.

"This partnership between Queen's and Infosys is an excellent example of collaborative working.  By pairing knowledge and research contained within our world class universities with business we can work together to provide practical solutions to commercial challenges.  Such partnerships are of real importance to growing our economy. I look forward with interest to how this partnership between Queen's, Infosys and Invest NI develops.

"This is also an excellent example of the global opportunities that exist for Northern Ireland. If we are to grow our economy we must look beyond our own shores. This partnership between Queen's in Belfast and Infosys in India just goes to show that there really are no limits to how far we should look for opportunities."