Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Data Security Council of India (DSCI) to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness across the automobile industry.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of evolving cybersecurity and data protection regulations in alignment with global and domestic regulatory frameworks. The partnership will bring together OEMs, tier-1 suppliers, global capability centres, semiconductor players, and policymakers to address rising cyber and privacy risks across increasingly complex automotive value chains.
Under the agreement, both organisations will focus on building industry capabilities through practitioner-led knowledge exchange, leadership dialogues, expert working groups, policy engagement, joint research, and targeted skilling initiatives.
Commenting on the development, Reji Mathai said the MoU establishes a strong collaborative framework to advance cyber resilience and support the adoption of emerging technologies across critical and advanced sectors.
Both ARAI and DSCI emphasized that the partnership will enable a more coordinated, industry-wide approach to cybersecurity and privacy, while also fostering innovation by creating opportunities for startups, academia, and industry stakeholders to collaborate on solutions tailored to India’s evolving mobility and manufacturing ecosystem.
As vehicles rapidly transition into software-defined, connected platforms integrated with cloud infrastructure and global supply chains, cybersecurity and data privacy have become critical priorities. Modern vehicles are increasingly handling large volumes of sensitive personal and operational data, making robust protection frameworks essential.
Vinayak Godse, Chief Executive Officer of DSCI, noted that cybersecurity is becoming foundational to the future of connected mobility and advanced industrial systems. He added that as regulatory expectations evolve and digital dependencies deepen, industry preparedness will require stronger collaboration and a greater focus on building practical capabilities.
The partnership is expected to support this transition through leadership engagement, thematic working platforms, joint research, and sector-focused capacity building, enabling secure and scalable innovation across India’s automotive and technology ecosystems.
