The partnership will focus on securing traffic management platforms, intelligent transport systems, tolling and payment interfaces, asset monitoring and control systems, and data repositories that support planning and maintenance. Activities envisaged include joint assessments of vulnerabilities, development of security protocols and standards, and deployment of monitoring tools that integrate threat intelligence with operational reporting. Emphasis will be placed on safeguarding personal data and ensuring continuity of critical services during cyber incidents.
A key pillar of the collaboration is capacity building through specialist training programmes for engineers, administrators and security practitioners, supported by workshops, simulation drills and curriculum development. NFSU is expected to contribute forensic analysis methods and investigative frameworks, while NHAI will provide operational context, infrastructure access and use cases for applied research. The initiative will also aim to institutionalise procedures for timely information sharing and coordinated incident management across agencies.
Implementation is planned through phased pilot projects, technical assessments and the creation of joint centres of excellence to translate research into deployable solutions that can be scaled across the highway network. The partners anticipate that improved cyber governance, standardised security baselines and enhanced response capability will reduce disruption risks and strengthen public confidence in digital highway services. The MoU is framed as part of broader efforts to modernise infrastructure management and to build resilience against evolving cyber threats.
