Kanpur: IIT Kanpur and NMDC Limited have signed an MoU to work together on improving cybersecurity and advancing the use of AI and machine learning across NMDC’s operations. The collaboration aims to address growing risks in IT and operational technology systems in the mining sector.
The agreement was signed by senior officials from NMDC and IIT Kanpur, including representatives from C3iHub, which will lead the technical support. The partnership focuses on cyber risk assessments, vulnerability analysis, incident response planning, and evaluating security operations models for NMDC’s digital infrastructure. Officials said the move comes at a time when public sector enterprises are facing increasing security challenges due to expanding digital operations.
The two institutions will also study the potential of AI- and ML-based tools for operational improvements such as predictive maintenance, digital twins, and data-driven monitoring across NMDC’s mines. These technologies are expected to help identify equipment failures earlier, support safer operations, and improve resource planning, according to researchers involved in the project.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, noted that the institute’s ongoing work in cybersecurity and AI provided a base for the collaboration and said the partnership aligns with broader efforts to strengthen national cyber preparedness. NMDC officials indicated that the company aims to evaluate technology pilots before considering wider deployment across its units.
The MoU also includes joint research and capacity-building initiatives that will examine practical use cases for both cybersecurity and industrial AI systems. The partnership reflects a broader trend of PSUs working with academic institutions to update legacy systems, manage cyber risks, and integrate emerging technologies into large-scale industrial operations.
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