Pune: At the IdentityShield Summit 2026, Maj Gen Krishnendu Kumar Chakrabarti, Chief Signal Officer, Headquarters Southern Command, highlighted the strategic need to reduce dependence on foreign cybersecurity vendors and strengthen indigenous capabilities across military and national defence systems.
He called upon startups, defence PSUs, and core technology companies to develop viable, indigenous alternatives that ensure autonomy, transparency, and continuity of operations for the nation.
Speaking during the session “Navigating the Evolving Cyber Battlefield – Opportunities and Imperatives for Cybersecurity Leaders in a Military Context,” Maj Gen Chakrabarti underscored the risks associated with excessive reliance on foreign cybersecurity products.
He acknowledged that while global cybersecurity companies have been built over decades, Indian startups possess exceptional human resource talent capable of competing at scale if they begin building long-term solutions today.
Indigenous cybersecurity products, he noted, would not only reduce strategic vulnerabilities but also strengthen trust and adoption within defence ecosystems.
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IdentityShield Summit 2026: Aatmanirbharta and the Strategic Imperative for Indigenous Cybersecurity
Reiterating the government’s emphasis on Aatmanirbharta, Maj Gen Chakrabarti urged the cybersecurity ecosystem to align with the national vision of self-reliance.
He stressed that India has both the technical capability and talent depth required to build strong cyber defences, reinforcing national security while reducing exposure to external dependencies.
IdentityShield Summit 2026: Quantum Technologies as the Next Cybersecurity Frontier
Highlighting emerging priorities, Maj Gen Chakrabarti drew attention to quantum technology as a critical area for future cyber defence.
He outlined the Indian Army’s contributions to the National Quantum Communications Project, particularly in quantum key distribution (QKD).
Trials covering over 500 kilometres of optical fibre have already been successfully implemented within Southern Command in collaboration with the National Quantum Mission.
These achievements have positioned India on the global map by demonstrating long-distance quantum-secure communications.
He noted that focused research and development is underway in quantum-resistant cryptography and secure communication frameworks essential for future military and national applications.
IdentityShield Summit 2026: Cybersecurity Self-Reliance in India Through Startup and Mission Collaboration
Encouraging deeper ecosystem participation, Maj Gen Chakrabarti urged startups, founders, and CEOs to actively engage with the National Quantum Mission to develop future-ready cybersecurity and quantum security solutions.
He cautioned that while India may have entered late in certain technology waves, such as large language models, it must not miss the opportunity presented by quantum technologies, where strong government backing and clear direction already exist.
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IdentityShield Summit 2026: Building Cybersecurity Talent at Scale
Addressing the talent pipeline, Maj Gen Chakrabarti highlighted India’s vast education infrastructure, with nearly 9,000 engineering colleges.
He pointed out that cybersecurity remains a specialised discipline, often limited to minor coursework, creating a significant opportunity for startups to collaborate with academic institutions.
By identifying and nurturing talent early, startups can help bridge the growing demand-supply gap for cybersecurity professionals while developing skilled experts capable of supporting national defence and the armed forces.
IdentityShield Summit 2026: Evolving with the Cyber Battlefield
Concluding his address, Maj Gen Chakrabarti emphasised that the cyber battlefield is constantly evolving and requires collective action across industry, government, academia, and defence.
Drawing lessons from past cyber incidents, he called for sustained focus on innovation, collaboration, research and development, and early adoption of emerging technologies. He noted that a secure cyber future translates into stronger national defence and greater safety for citizens.
