About USI of India:
In the last 150 years since its inception, the USI of India has emerged as India’s pre-eminent think tank on matters of national security. The initial aim of establishing the USI was, ‘Furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services’. During the pre-independence period, the USI had played a leading role in shaping the strategic thought of the British Empire — not only on how to rule India but also in generating informed policy debates on its expeditionary forays in the strategic neighbourhood of Afghanistan, Tibet, China, Burma and elsewhere. Post-independence, the USI has transformed into a typical track 1.5 institution that has rendered ‘yeoman’ service in developing strategic culture amongst the policy-makers and strategic community of modern India. The USI has acquired a unique multi-disciplinary character vis-à-vis other think tanks in terms of its activities, which range from historical research to publications of diverse literature, career progression of military officers, and a niche in net assessment, scenario building and strategic gaming.
The USI-ANBI is an initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between the domestic defence sector (MSMEs) and the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) by providing them with a platform to communicate and build, make self-reliance a reality on the postulates of trust, partnership and growth.
USI-ANBI intends to work with industrial partners with the highest levels of ethics, trust and confidentiality since its members have been part of the Indian Armed Forces and other government agencies, having served the nation with utmost sincerity.
About UNSW Sydney:
UNSW’s strategic priorities actively address the challenges we face today - from climate change and renewable energies to lifesaving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies. We aim to make an impact on people’s lives around the world. In 2020, UNSW evolved its motto to “Scientia corde mente et manu” - Knowledge by Heart, Mind and Hand. This is more than just a slogan of renewed values and aspirations. It captures the fact that we serve a higher purpose, and are committed to serving society through knowledge-sharing and discovery.
We have a long-held tradition of sustained innovation, focusing on areas critical to our future - from tackling the effects of climate change, forging new systems to support society's most vulnerable, to developing lifesaving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies. In each of their endeavours, our scholars, researchers and entrepreneurs are committed to expanding, sharing and applying knowledge that will ignite positive change.
UNSW has an expanding array of collaborations and initiatives aimed at sparking the innovation that is needed most. We take a multi-disciplinary approach to collaboration. By connecting external organisations and community groups to academics, students and entrepreneurs, we advance and optimise the impact of our research and development.
From attracting the world's foremost leaders, and the brightest students, and partnering with champions of industry, government and community - we are proud of the positive impact we are making.
About CyberPeace:
CyberPeace is an award-winning global civil society organisation. A think tank of cybersecurity and policy experts with the vision of pioneering CyberPeace Initiatives to build collective resilience against CyberCrimes and global threats of cyber warfare. CyberPeace is involved in Policy Advocacy, Research and Training related to all aspects of CyberPeace and Cyber Security. Key areas of CyberPeace’s work include Technology Governance, Policy Review and Advocacy, Skill Development, Capacity and
Capability creation and building through partnerships with various government organisations, academic institutions and civil society entities. (https://www.cyberpeace.org) Along with this, we also conduct several online and offline awareness sessions and competitions, to inform, educate and create awareness among children to create a safe CyberSpace for the upcoming generations.
Brief overview of the event's purpose
Recent wars have been characterised by the rising use of misinformation based on tech-based platforms which go viral and reinforce prejudices across swathes of populations and organisations. The Ukraine war and the war against Hamas have distinctively laid any debate to rest – misinformation is a low-cost weapon of choice from individual bad actors to terror organisations and as instruments of state policy.
India has digitised rapidly and finds itself at the epicentre of such vulnerabilities. From cybercrime to misinformation, India is now becoming a target of numerous inimical forces, and the armed forces are at the centre of this storm. None less than the Prime Minister have been victims of the use of deep fakes, and the threat potential it has during an election year is enormous.
The workshop will be conducted by professors and experts who deal with the subject from IIT Delhi, IIT Patna, CyberPeace, Oxford University and the University of New South Wales, Sydney. They are all Indian-origin professors and are frequently training officials of the Australian and UK Governments and armed forces, who have taken up the issue with great tempo. This will serve as a precursor to more such training modules in the future.