ARAI inks pact with Data Security Council to bolster cybersecurity in auto sector

The partnership with ARAI is intended to support this transition through leadership engagement, thematic working platforms, joint research, and sector-focused capacity building, enabling a more coordinated approach to secure innovation across critical technology ecosystems, he added.

Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has inked a pact with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) to strengthen automobile industry's preparedness by advancing the adoption of evolving cybersecurity and data protection regulations in line with the regulatory frameworks. The memorandum of understanding seeks to bring together original equipment makers, tier 1 suppliers, global capability centres, semiconductor players, and policymakers to address interconnected cyber and privacy risks across complex value chains, while strengthening capabilities through practitioner-led knowledge exchange, a statement said on Wednesday. By combining the deep technical and regulatory expertise of DSCI and ARAI, the partnership aims to accelerate a more coordinated, industry-wide approach to cybersecurity and privacy, while creating pathways for startups, academia, and industry to co-innovate solutions tailored to India's rapidly evolving mobility and manufacturing landscape, it stated. ''This MoU establishes a strong collaborative framework between ARAI & DSCI to advance cyber resilience and emerging technologies across critical and advanced sectors,' said Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI. By bringing together leadership dialogues, expert working groups, policy engagement, joint research, skilling initiatives, and innovation platforms, the partnership seeks to strengthen secure ecosystems, he said. As vehicles evolve into software-defined, connected platforms, they are becoming integral to a larger digital ecosystem, interfacing with cloud infrastructure, mobility services, and global supply chains. This shift places cybersecurity and privacy at the core, especially as vehicles increasingly handle sensitive personal and operational data, the statement said. ''Cybersecurity is becoming foundational to the future of connected mobility and advanced industrial systems. As regulatory expectations evolve and digital dependencies deepen, industry preparedness will require stronger collaboration across stakeholders and greater focus on building practical capabilities,'' said During his address, Vinayak Godse, CEO, Data Security Council. The partnership with ARAI is intended to support this transition through leadership engagement, thematic working platforms, joint research, and sector-focused capacity building, enabling a more coordinated approach to secure innovation across critical technology ecosystems, he added.