Quick Heal and BIRD Lucknow Inaugurate Advanced Cybersecurity Lab to Fortify Rural Financial Institutions Against Digital Threat

Pune, 02^nd April 2025:Quick Heal Technologies Limited, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, recently collaborated in the establishment of a state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab at the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Lucknow. This milestone marks a significant step forward in their strategic partnership to enhance cybersecurity within Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs) across India. The lab was inaugurated by Shri Shaji K.V., Chairman NABARD, on 06th March 2025. The event was also graced by Shri AK Sood, DMD, NABARD, Shri Nirupam Mehrotra, Director BIRD and other senior officials from NABARD.

The cybersecurity lab is designed to create awareness and provide hands-on training and skill development for officials in RFIs, equipping them with the latest cybersecurity tools and strategies. This initiative is part of a broader effort to create a robust digital ecosystem that promotes secure financial inclusion in rural India. The lab offers practical training sessions on cybersecurity best practices, cyber hygiene, and fraud prevention, utilizing cutting-edge technology to simulate real-world cyber threats. This allows participants to gain valuable experience in threat detection and mitigation, fostering a collaborative environment where experts and stakeholders can share knowledge and develop effective cybersecurity policies.

Shri Shaji K.V., Chairman, NABARD, lauding the efforts of BIRD and Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. emphasized that such collaborations between training institutes and industry can go a long way in equipping the officers of RFIs with latest industry best practices in the cyber security domain.

Vishal Salvi, CEO, Quick Heal Technologies Limited, speaking about the lab, “Digital security remains a key challenge today, especially in rural setups. RFIs are generally at a greater risk of cyber exploitation owing to the limited knowledge and resources at their disposal. I commend BIRD for taking proactive steps to transform cybersecurity preparedness. With this new lab, we aim to shift the status quo by providing advanced training and infrastructure to empower rural institutions. Our goal is to help them defend against evolving threats and safeguard the financial security of underserved communities—those who are often most vulnerable to cyber risks yet have the least protection. This partnership with BIRD Lucknow exemplifies our joint commitment to strengthen rural India’s cyber resilience and create safer digital ecosystems for all.”

Mr. Nirupam Mehrotra, Director of BIRD Lucknow>, while speaking on the occasion, “The inauguration of this Cybersecurity Lab is a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the digital resilience of RFIs. With Quick Heal’s expertise and our deep understanding of rural finance, we are poised to make a substantial impact in enhancing the security frameworks of RFIs. This lab will serve as a critical resource for officials in RFIs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to combat emerging cyber threats effectively. We are committed to working closely with Quick Heal to ensure that our initiatives contribute meaningfully to the broader goal of secure financial inclusion in rural India.”

As Quick Heal & its enterprise arm, Seqrite continue to innovate and expand its cybersecurity offerings, the company remains firmly aligned with its vision of being a trusted global leader in securing the digital world. This vision is driven by a mission to provide innovative, preferred, and valued security solutions that protect information and interactions across all types of networks, devices, and platforms globally. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, the cybersecurity leader aims to build a healthy business and organization that contributes to creating a secure digital environment for all.

About Quick Heal Technologies Limited

Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. is a global cybersecurity solutions provider. Each Quick Heal product is designed to simplify IT security management across the length and depth of devices and on multiple platforms. They are customized to suit consumers, small businesses, government establishments, and corporate houses. Over a span of nearly 3 decades, the company’s R&D has focused on computer and network security solutions.

The current portfolio of cloud-based security and advanced machine learning-enabled solutions stops threats, attacks, and malicious traffic before it strikes. This considerably reduces the system resource usage. The security solutions are indigenously developed in India. Quick Heal Antivirus Solutions, Quick Heal Scan Engine, and the entire range of Quick Heal products are proprietary items of Quick Heal Technologies Ltd. Recently, unveiled Quick Heal pioneers India’s first fraud prevention solution, AntiFraud.AI available for Android, iOS and Windows.

For more information, please visit: https://www.quickheal.co.in/

About Seqrite

Seqrite is a leading enterprise cybersecurity solutions provider. With a focus on simplifying cybersecurity, Seqrite delivers comprehensive solutions and services through our patented, AI/ML-powered tech stack to protect businesses against the latest threats by securing devices, applications, networks, cloud, data, and identity. Seqrite is the Enterprise arm of the global cybersecurity brand, Quick Heal Technologies Limited, the only listed cybersecurity products and solutions company in India.

We are the first and only Indian company to have solidified India’s position on the global map by collaborating with the Govt. of the USA on its NIST NCCoE’s Data Classification project. We are differentiated by our easy-to-deploy, seamless-to-integrate comprehensive solutions providing the highest level of protection against emerging and sophisticated threats powered by state-of-the-art threat intelligence and playbooks backed by world-class service provided by best-in-class security experts at India’s largest malware analysis lab – Seqrite Labs. We are the only Indian full-stack company aligned with CSMA architecture recommendations, offering award-winning Endpoint Protection, Enterprise Mobility Management, Zero Trust Network Access, and many more. Seqrite Data Privacy management solution enables organizations to stay fully compliant with the DPDP Act and global regulations.

Today, 30,000+ enterprises in more than 70 countries trust Seqrite with their cybersecurity needs. please visit: www.seqrite.com

About BIRD

The Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) is a premier training and research institute committed to advancing rural development, banking, and financial inclusion. As a center of excellence, BIRD provides high-quality capacity-building programs, policy advocacy, and research-driven insights to strengthen the banking and financial sectors. With a strong emphasis on technology and digital transformation, BIRD plays a crucial role in the IT vertical by focusing on key areas such as cybersecurity, financial technology (FinTech), data analytics, and digital banking solutions. The institute conducts specialized training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions that equip banking professionals with the necessary skills to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape. By integrating cutting-edge IT solutions into financial services, BIRD enables institutions to enhance operational efficiency, security, and customer experience. Additionally, the institute serves as a hub for innovation, promoting the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing in banking and financial services. Through its collaborative approach, BIRD continues to drive digital empowerment in the financial ecosystem, ensuring a secure, resilient, and technology-driven future for the banking sector.