Pathak says digital infrastructure is critical for national security
The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), has extended financial support to Matisoft Cyber Security Labs Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, for a project to support “Indigenous Cybersecurity Solution for Secure Data Transfer Across Air-Gapped Networks”.
The project, “Development of an Advanced Open-Source Framework Sanitization Tool Facilitating Secure Transfer of Data Between Multiple Air-Gapped Networks”, is aimed at developing an indigenous cybersecurity solution to enable secure and controlled data exchange across highly sensitive, air-gapped environments, particularly in defence and critical infrastructure sectors.
The proposed solution focuses on the development of a USB sanitization and data transfer control software, specifically designed to meet the stringent security requirements of organisations such as the Indian Navy. The system ensures that only verified and sanitized data is transferred between isolated networks, thereby mitigating risks arising from malware, unauthorized data access, and zero-day cyber threats.
The technology integrates multiple in-house developed cybersecurity capabilities — including Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), and Content Disarm & Reconstruction (CDR) — into a unified platform. The system comprises seven core modules, including centralized policy control, real-time threat monitoring, file sanitization, secure licensing, automated updates, and system installation frameworks. Together, these modules provide comprehensive protection by scanning, analysing, and neutralizing potentially harmful content while preserving the usability of files.
Designed to operate without internet connectivity, the solution is particularly suited for deployment in air-gapped environments where conventional cloud-based security systems are not viable. It also maintains detailed audit logs, enforces strict USB usage policies, and ensures compliance with organizational cybersecurity protocols.
The entire technology stack has been developed indigenously by the R&D team of Matisoft Cyber Security Labs Pvt. Ltd., reinforcing India’s capabilities in building secure and self-reliant cyber defence systems for strategic applications.
Speaking on the occasion on 23 Mar, TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak stated that a secure digital infrastructure is critical for national security in an increasingly interconnected world. He noted that TDB’s support to indigenous cybersecurity solutions will enable the development and deployment of advanced technologies tailored to India’s defence and critical infrastructure needs, while reducing dependence on foreign systems.
The TDB-DST support will enable the company to strengthen its product capabilities and accelerate deployment of a robust, scalable, and indigenous cybersecurity solution for highly sensitive environments. Fiinews.com
