A MoU to advance Hardware Security Technology was signed between C-HERD and JISA Softech (JISA), an Indian Deep-Tech startup in collaboration with Prof. Debapriya Basu Roy, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, IIT Kanpur. The signing of a MoU highlights a shared commitment to advancing the nation's capabilities in hardware security technology, and marks a significant step forward in India's journey towards self-sufficiency in security chip development. JISA will be the first Indian company to build a complete HSM (Hardware Security Module) technology stack from bare metal to application, supporting both existing and post-quantum cryptographic capabilities.

Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Prof. Debapriya Basu Roy said, “The collaboration with JISA will ensure that Indian technology stands at the forefront of global innovation in safeguarding data and privacy with advanced solutions. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to creating innovative Made in India data protection solutions. The partnership will develop advanced HSM technology for a more secure digital future and a strong cybersecurity framework for India.”

Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) are essential components that play a critical role in securely storing and managing cryptographic keys and sensitive data. They are specifically designed to safeguard digital keys, perform complex cryptographic operations, and create formidable barriers against unauthorized access or manipulation of stored information.

Ms. Isha Oswal, CEO at JISA Softech, said, "Our mission is to empower India with Make in India data protection and data privacy solutions. Our advanced HSMs promise not only to enhance digital trust but also to raise the bar for data protection and privacy standards, thus ensuring a safer and more secure digital ecosystem.”

By developing advanced HSMs with support for Post Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms, JISA Softech is aiming to enhance India's technological infrastructure and strengthen the nation's data security capabilities, preparing for the challenges posed by a post-quantum world. These HSMs, which can run on FPGA or proprietary ASIC platforms over RISC-V (RISC-V is an open standard instruction set architecture based on established reduced instruction set computer principles) or ARM architectures (It is a contract between the hardware and the software, defining how they interact with one another), promise to future-proof our digital infrastructure while simultaneously raising the standards in digital trust, data protection, and privacy.

Prof. Debapriya Basu Roy, an Assistant Professor in Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur, is a leading researcher in Hardware Security in India. His expertise includes FPGA-based hardware accelerators for cryptographic algorithms used in HSMs. He focuses on post-quantum cryptography, homomorphic encryption, side channel analysis, FPGA security, machine learning security, and efficient HLS (High-Level Synthesis) designs. He is responsible for developing accelerators for multiple cryptographic algorithms integrated into the HSM.