Indian State, WISeKey Partner to Secure Citizen Data with Blockchain
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is collaborating with Swiss cybersecurity company WISeKey to secure citizen data with blockchain technology.
Andhra Pradesh is one of the 29 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of the country. The state is the seventh largest in India, with a population of around 50 million.
The objective of the partnership is to simplify processes and to further enhance cybersecurity in the wake of recent cybercrime attacks worldwide.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh said that the state has been proactive in ensuring that the sheer volume of citizen’s information stored in various databases remain secure with the help of technology and technical expertise in the emerging field of blockchain provided by companies such as WISeKey.
WiseKey’s WiseID uses a public blockchain system to allow users freedom to protect or share information at their discretion. WISeID also acts as an encrypted messenger app, password vault, a secure password generator, and a multi-device data synchronizer on a secure cloud network. The goal is to use the platform for other solutions in the future.
“We are looking towards WISeKey to play a leadership role in providing cybersecurity for the various initiatives of the government, but also drawing out the vision for smart cities who want to go beyond IoT, automation and use “Deep Tech” algorithmic technology,” said JA Chowdary, Special Chief Secretary & IT Advisor to the Chief Minister of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
WISeKey founder and CEO Carlos Moreira said that to have a pristine vision like putting the citizen at the center of gravity, and building all the infrastructure around this vision is the key to successfully empower citizens to unleash their full potential.
WISeKey plans to setup its development center in Vizag, the ‘FinTech Valley’ in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Driven by Honorable Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s vision to create 500,000 jobs in Andhra Pradesh by 2020 through technology-enabled services, the recently-established FinTech Valley has become a playground for start-ups and innovators looking to disrupt traditional business processes.
“We are proud to be a part of the FinTech Valley foundation blocks,” said Amit Kumar, managing director of WISeKey India Private Limited. The opportunities we see ahead are immense, as technology will play a truly pivoting role in rolling governance at a cluster, city, district and state level. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has always been a leader and its vision has paved the way to for other governments to collaborate or adapt.”
The Government of Andhra Pradesh also revealed a plan to implement blockchain into transportation. N. Balasubramanyam, CEO and e-Pragathi & Transport Commissioner for the Government of Andhra Pradesh, said that the state will be one of the first states in the world which will be implementing the blockchain technology in the transportation department.
Earlier this year, WISeKey launched an artificial intelligence (AI) and Blockchain Center of Excellence in India to support its global projects.
