Cisco and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) have launched the Cisco Technology Hub on AI and Cybersecurity, a joint initiative aimed at strengthening research, building skills and deepening India’s digital trust ecosystem.
The three-year collaboration brings together Cisco’s technology expertise and IIT Delhi’s academic leadership to promote innovation, enable knowledge exchange and help build a highly skilled digital workforce. The hub is also designed to become a leading centre for AI and cybersecurity research, innovation and talent development in the Indo-Pacific region.
Aligned with India’s digital transformation priorities, the initiative will also work with government stakeholders to support critical infrastructure, strengthen digital frameworks and security standards, and co-create solutions for real-world challenges.
The hub will focus on three key areas:
- Research
- Workforce skills
- Ecosystem engagement
On the research front, it will support both fundamental and applied work in AI and cybersecurity, from theoretical foundations to practical applications. It will also offer grants and fellowships for PhD and MTech students, along with a chair of excellence, to advance projects linked to the hub. Joint work with Cisco’s global research teams is expected to help address industry challenges and emerging threat landscapes.
IIT Delhi scholars will also be supported in publishing white papers that contribute to policy, regulatory and technology discussions.
On skills development, the hub will offer continuing education programs developed with Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad), along with short training programs for government bodies and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) focused on emerging technologies, cybersecurity risks and best practices.
As a platform for thought leadership, the Technology Hub on AI and Cybersecurity hub will host security workshops, research forums and an annual Security and Trust Summit, bringing together experts from industry, academia and government to discuss new technology trends, cybersecurity challenges and research demonstrations.
The initiative is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration Program, which works with governments, industry and academia to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve cybersecurity and expand digital skills. The program has completed more than 1,700 projects across 56 countries to support national digital agendas.
Leadership Comments
Speaking at the announcement, Prof. Jayant Jain, Dean, Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi, said the collaboration reflects the institute’s commitment to knowledge exchange and co-creation with industry partners. He added that the initiative will help foster innovation, develop future-ready talent and strengthen India’s digital ecosystem.
Prof. Ashwini K. Agrawal, Dean (R&D), IIT Delhi, who was also present at the MoU signing ceremony, said the partnership would further strengthen the institute’s research in AI and cybersecurity and support India’s digital future.
Daisy Chittilapilly, President, Cisco India & South Asia, said strong collaboration between academia, industry and government is essential to driving innovation in India. She said the partnership would combine research and technology expertise to advance frontier AI research, build secure solutions for real-world challenges in AI and cybersecurity, and create a pipeline of next-generation talent.
