Deloitte, one of the Big Four firms that offers audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services, has opened ConnectSafe, a cybersecurity facility in Bengaluru to safeguard connected ecosystems from cyber threats and attacks.

Claimed to be the first such facility in India, this facility, Deloitte partners said, would focus on safeguarding human lives and critical infrastructure, instead of focusing only on data protection, the traditional mandates given to Chief Information Officers and Chief Information Security Officers.

“With connected technologies accelerating and cyber disruptions growing more complex, our cyber security facility enables organisations to proactively test, validate, and secure next-generation systems, from micro-level components to large-scale infrastructure,” said Gaurav Shukla, Partner and Leader for the Cyber division, Deloitte South Asia.

Recent cybersecurity incidents reported globally highlight how vulnerabilities in connected operational systems can quickly escalate into large-scale disruption. Hence, an increased focus on securing human lives, physical infrastructure such as factories, power plants, banks, machinery, automobiles, etc, said Deloitte officials.

According to them, India’s rapid transition towards connected ecosystems, across mobility, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, digital and physical public infrastructure, significantly increased the cyber‑attack surface.

The 4,500 sq ft. facility offers a live environment that simulates real‑world cyber‑threat scenarios across industries, including automotive, MedTech, industrial and consumer ecosystems. It enables organisations to test, validate and strengthen security controls without disrupting live operations and directly address the hyper‑connected, systemic cyber risk they face. The facility would also be available for researchers, cyber experts, academic institutions, students, and governments to assess the potential risks of products or devices in a simulated environment, they added.

Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia, said, “As industries become increasingly connected, from smart factories and power systems to vehicles and medical devices, cyber threats are no longer limited to IT systems; they directly impact the operational backbone of our economy.’’