Cisco and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have launched the Cisco Technology Hub on AI and Cybersecurity, a collaborative initiative aimed at advancing research, workforce development and ecosystem collaboration in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Established under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the hub brings together Cisco’s technology expertise and IIT Delhi’s academic capabilities to support research, talent development and collaboration with government, industry and academia. The initiative is also designed to contribute to India’s digital transformation by supporting the development of secure digital infrastructure and cybersecurity frameworks.
The Technology Hub will focus on advancing both fundamental and applied research in AI and cybersecurity while supporting knowledge exchange and innovation. It will offer grants and fellowships for PhD and MTech students, establish a Chair of Excellence, and facilitate joint research projects with Cisco’s global research teams. The collaboration will also encourage the publication of white papers to contribute to discussions on public policy, regulatory frameworks and emerging technologies.
Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Jayant Jain, Dean, Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi, said, “This collaboration builds on the institute’s commitment to enable knowledge exchange and co-creation with industry partners. Through this initiative, we aim to foster innovation, develop future-ready talent, and contribute to strengthening India’s digital ecosystem.”
Prof. Ashwini K. Agrawal, Dean (R&D), IIT Delhi, added that the initiative would strengthen the institute’s research capabilities in AI and cybersecurity while supporting India’s digital future.
Alongside research, the hub will offer continuing education programmes developed with Cisco Networking Academy to provide specialised training for industry professionals and government organisations. It will also conduct short-term programmes for government departments and public sector undertakings focused on emerging technologies, cybersecurity risks and best practices.
Speaking on the collaboration, Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & South Asia, said, “Strong collaboration between academia, industry and government is critical to driving innovation across India. Our partnership with IIT Delhi brings together research and technology expertise to advance frontier AI research and develop secure solutions for real-world challenges in AI and cybersecurity while building a pipeline of next-generation talent that will shape India’s digital future.”
The hub will also serve as a platform for ecosystem engagement through security workshops, research forums and an annual Security and Trust Summit, bringing together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies, cybersecurity challenges and research developments.
The initiative is being established under Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Programme, which works with governments, industry and academic institutions to strengthen digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital skills. Cisco said the programme has delivered more than 1,700 projects across 56 countries to support national digital transformation initiatives.