Mumbai, Aug 10 (IANS) Maharashtra Minister of Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Ashish Shelar on Monday said Mumbai’s cybersecurity is no longer merely an Information Technology concern; it has become a critical priority for the country’s economic security.

Speaking at an event organised in collaboration with the Government of India, the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, the Economic and Trade Mission of Israel in Mumbai and the Bombay Stock Exchange, Shelar said: “A secure Mumbai means a secure India and a secure Indian economy. Policymakers, technologists, engineers, industry leaders and experts must work together in the field of cybersecurity.”

He noted that India and Israel share common democratic values, a rich intellectual heritage and a strong tradition of innovation. Building on these shared values, the two countries are creating a robust bridge of cooperation in cybersecurity. Shelar thanked the organisers for bringing experts, industry representatives and innovators onto a common platform.

Shelar emphasised that Mumbai is a key centre of India’s economy, housing the headquarters of several major financial institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. He said any cyber threat to Mumbai’s digital infrastructure could have wider implications for the overall economic system.

“Protecting only physical infrastructure is not enough to ensure economic security. Protecting digital infrastructure is equally important. Mumbai’s cyber resilience and security have become an integral part of national economic security,” he said.

The minister added that the technology sector is undergoing rapid transformation and the Government of Maharashtra is committed to promoting innovation while embracing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing and Big Data analytics. He stressed that digital security must be given equal priority alongside digital transformation.

Shelar said India has a vast pool of skilled human resources and some of the finest computer engineers in the world. Cybersecurity experts, engineers, industry professionals and young technologists are the “silent guardians of modern society”, safeguarding data and protecting citizens’ money and sovereign information.

He urged that security must be built into new software, digital services and technological solutions from the design stage. He also called for deeper cooperation between India and Israel in cybersecurity, with more opportunities for knowledge exchange, joint research, technology development and innovation.

“India and Israel must move beyond purely commercial engagements and work towards building a strong, long‑term and mutually beneficial ecosystem of cooperation,” he said.

Shelar concluded by urging all stakeholders to work together to accelerate economic growth through a secure digital environment and build a prosperous and secure future for generations to come.

–IANS

sj/dan