McAfee, Inc. Announces Grant of INR 2.5 Million for Data Security Council of India

McAfee’s Cybercrime Grant will support DSCI’s Cybersecurity Education Project for Schools in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Bangalore

Mumbai, November 17, 2009: McAfee, Inc. today announced its approval of a grant of INR 2.5 million to Data Security Council of India (DSCI) for cyber security education as part of the McAfee® Initiative to Fight Cybercrime, a wide ranging, global initiative aimed at closing critical gaps in the fight against cybercrime.
The DSCI funding comes under the McAfee Cybercrime Grants Program, designed to foster innovation and concrete, measurable impact in key areas of fighting, researching, and educating about cybercrime issues.
“In the current scenario when the threat landscape is growing more complex and cybercriminals are getting more organized in their efforts, it has become imperative to find new ways to generate awareness and educate computer users about the ways to protect their digital assets. We look forward to working closely with the Data Security Council of India in their cyber security education and awareness program in each of the targeted Indian cities”, said Prof. Howard A. Schmidt, Council Chair, McAfee Cybercrime Advisory Council.
Data Security Council of India (DSCI) is a not-for-profit organization, headquartered in New Delhi, focusing on developing best practices and training in India on data security and data privacy. Through its Cybersecurity Awareness Initiatives, DSCI reaches out to a broad audience on a range of cyber security and cyber safety issues. This education project will cover computer users in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Bangalore.
“Education and awareness is the most important step in fighting cybercrime,” stated DSCI’s CEO, Dr. Kamlesh Bajaj. “Even as we create best security practices for the industry, it is imperative for us to educate the student population in schools and colleges alongwith parents about Cyber Safety, Cyber Security, and Data Privacy. I’m sure DSCI together with McAfee can create useful training, and take it to a wider audience in major cities in India. I look forward to close cooperation with McAfee, and I believe this is just the beginning of a long partnership.”
“India’s tryst with the internet is coming of age with internet penetration and usage growing at a fast clip. There are dangers in cyberspace that individual users and organizations should be made aware, alongwith the best practices. McAfee’s collaboration with DSCI is a deliberate step ahead to educate these users in India on ways to protect themselves from the impending dangers of the internet world”, said Sridhar Jayanthi, Vice President of Engineering & Head of India Operations, McAfee India Centre.

About the McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime
Announced in October 2008, the McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime is a wide ranging initiative aimed at closing critical gaps in the fight against cybercrime. The initiative is anchored by a multi-point plan that includes calls for action from law enforcement, academia, service providers, government, the security industry and society at large to deliver more effective investigations and prosecutions of cybercrime. More information is available at: http://www.mcafee.com/fightcybercrime

About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world’s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

About DSCI
DSCI (www.dsci.in) has been established as an independent self regulatory organization (SRO) by NASSCOM, as an industry initiative to focus on best practices and standards for data protection. While its immediate goal is to raise the level of security and privacy of IT and BPO service providers to assure their customers and other stakeholders that India is a secure destination for outsourcing, DSCI also wishes to promote these practices for customers in the country. Since E-Governance applications are increasing, and the IT industry is a joint partner in implementation of these projects, it is right time to focus on security of data so as to build confidence of citizens in E-Governance.
DSCI’s Mission is to create trustworthiness of Indian companies as global sourcing service providers, and to send out a message to clients worldwide that India is a secure destination for outsourcing where privacy and protection of customer data are enshrined in the global best practices followed by the industry.

DSCI Press Contact:
Nikhil Chachra, Manager – Communication & Relationships
Data Security Council of India, A NASSCOM® Initiative
Mobile: + 91 9810118828, Email: nikhil {at} dsci(.)in

Contact:
Bhawana Singh
+91 9341601630
bhawana {at} the-practice(.)net

Aceeyana Fernandes
+91 9324272174
aceeyana {at} the-practice(.)net