Deloitte India Opens Cybersecurity Facility Focused on Connected Infrastructure

Deloitte India on Monday launched ConnectSafe™, a cybersecurity testing facility it describes as the first in the country designed specifically to address threats to connected operational systems, rather than conventional IT networks. The facility spans 4,500 square feet and creates simulated environments where organisations can test their defences against cyber threats without affecting live operations.

The lab targets sectors including automotive, medical technology, industrial manufacturing, and consumer ecosystems — industries where a cyberattack on physical systems could directly affect human safety. Deloitte positions the facility as a response to the growing convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT), where a breach in a digital system can trigger failures in physical infrastructure such as power grids, water supply networks, or hospital equipment.

Romal Shetty, CEO of Deloitte South Asia, said cyber threats today extend beyond IT systems and affect the operational backbone of the economy. Gaurav Shukla, Partner and Cyber Leader at Deloitte South Asia, described ConnectSafe™ as a hub where organisations can test and validate next-generation systems, from individual components to large-scale infrastructure.

Among its stated capabilities, the facility includes an Operational Technology Security Operations Centre (OT-SOC), a Vehicle Security Operations Centre (V-SOC), and quantum-safe systems designed to address future cryptographic vulnerabilities. It also offers protections for software-defined vehicles and medical devices, along with experience zones where teams can observe how a breach unfolds and develop responses.

The launch comes as India expands its Digital Public Infrastructure, including payment systems such as UPI, health data platforms, and agriculture networks — all of which create new connections between digital services and physical systems. Authorities and security researchers have noted that this expansion also broadens the potential attack surface for malicious actors.

Globally, attacks on critical infrastructure have increased in frequency and scale. Incidents targeting hospitals, energy utilities, and transport networks in recent years have demonstrated that OT systems — many of which were built before cybersecurity was a design consideration — are particularly exposed. India's manufacturing and infrastructure sectors have undergone rapid digitalisation, often integrating legacy equipment with modern networks, compounding the risk.

Deloitte India said the facility was built to serve organisations seeking to assess and improve their cyber preparedness before threats materialise in operational environments.