Cybersecurity is economic imperative, not just a tech issue: Karnataka IT Secretary

Cybersecurity has evolved from a purely technical concern into an economic imperative and a governance priority, as digital technologies become deeply embedded in everyday life, said N. Manjula, Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT and BT, Government of Karnataka, on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Cyber Dialogue jointly organised by the State government and the Consulate General of Israel in Bengaluru, Manjula emphasised that cybersecurity is fundamental to building trust in the digital future. "Cybersecurity is no longer exclusively a technology issue. It is an economic imperative, a governance priority and a fundamental requirement for building trust in the digital future," she said.

The dialogue, held under the theme "Stronger Together. Secure Tomorrow," aimed to help start-ups and cybersecurity experts explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in cybersecurity innovation, talent development, research, technology and digital resilience. It was organised as part of Karnataka's ongoing international technology partnerships under its Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), in collaboration with the Consulate General and Trade Mission of Israel in South India and the Centre for Cybersecurity Karnataka (CySecK).

The event brought together senior officials from the Government of Karnataka and the Israeli delegation, along with representatives from the cybersecurity, technology and start-up ecosystems. A delegation of 10 Israeli cybersecurity companies participated, with the engagement extending beyond roundtable discussions to technology demonstrations and business-to-business meetings aimed at identifying opportunities for practical partnerships.

The discussions focused on four key areas: Innovation and Start-ups, Industry Partnership, Talent and Skills, and Policy and Trust. The emphasis was on translating knowledge exchange into practical collaboration and strengthening the resilience of critical digital infrastructure, businesses and public institutions.

Manjula highlighted Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance, through which the government engages with countries on areas of shared interest and builds partnerships across technology and innovation sectors. She said the Karnataka-Israel cybersecurity engagement represented an opportunity to build on these international partnerships and explore collaboration across cybersecurity innovation, start-up partnerships, talent development, research, technology validation and critical infrastructure protection.

Orli Weitzman, Consul General of Israel to South India, said the Karnataka-Israel engagement reflected the growing India-Israel partnership and the natural alignment between the two ecosystems. "India and Israel share a culture of problem-solving, with a strong emphasis on education, entrepreneurship and innovation. Cybersecurity is one of the clearest areas where our two ecosystems can work together," she said.

Weitzman added that when Israeli technology and experience meet India's extraordinary talent, scale and technological capabilities, the potential impact goes far beyond the two countries. The dialogue is part of a broader effort to strengthen international cooperation in cybersecurity, as governments and industries worldwide grapple with increasing digital threats.

The event underscores the growing recognition that cybersecurity is not merely a technical domain but a critical component of national and economic security. For Karnataka, a leading hub for technology and innovation in India, such partnerships are seen as vital to safeguarding its digital infrastructure and fostering a secure environment for businesses and citizens alike.

The collaboration with Israel, a country known for its advanced cybersecurity ecosystem, is expected to bring mutual benefits, including knowledge exchange, joint research and the development of innovative solutions to address emerging cyber threats. As digital adoption accelerates across sectors, the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks becomes ever more urgent.

The Cyber Dialogue serves as a platform for building these essential partnerships, with the goal of creating a more secure and resilient digital ecosystem for both countries and beyond.