By Kavita Mistry 
Airtel Business has secured a multi-year contract from the Indian Railway Security Operations Centre (IRSOC) to bolster cybersecurity across India’s railway digital infrastructure.
The move comes as part of efforts to safeguard critical IT systems that manage ticket bookings, payments, train tracking, and other essential operations.
Airtel Business Wins Multi-Year Contract to Strengthen Cybersecurity for India’s Railways
India’s railway network, one of the largest in the world, runs over 13,000 trains daily, serves more than 20 million passengers, handles millions of digital transactions, and moves more than 1.5 billion tons of freight each year.
Experts say protecting such a vast digital ecosystem is essential to prevent disruptions and secure sensitive data.
Under the contract, Airtel Business will roll out centralized security controls, multi-layer protection, and AI-driven monitoring across 26 locations and for 160,000 railway employees.
The company will implement advanced endpoint protection, patch and vulnerability management, next-generation monitoring systems, threat intelligence, and network access controls to safeguard critical applications and databases.
AI-Driven Systems to Boost Round-the-Clock Cybersecurity for India’s Railways
The cybersecurity measures are designed to provide round-the-clock monitoring and rapid threat detection. AI-driven systems are expected to anticipate and neutralize risks, while a centralized dashboard will allow for real-time visibility across all security tools.
Sharat Sinha, CEO & Director of Airtel Business, said the project aims to shield railway digital operations from evolving cyber threats while ensuring uninterrupted services for commuters. “Our security systems will enhance efficiency in ticketing and data management and protect digital operations while delivering safe and seamless services to millions of daily railway users,” he said.
Dilip Kumar, EDIP of the Railway Board, said IRSOC will manage the centralized Security Operations Centre, monitor assets, respond to cyber incidents, coordinate with national agencies, and enhance overall service delivery. “The establishment of IRSOC will allow continuous monitoring of railway assets, timely response to cyber threats, and proper collaboration with national cybersecurity agencies,” he added.
The initiative is part of a wider effort to strengthen India’s critical infrastructure against cyber risks. Analysts note that as sectors like transportation increasingly rely on digital systems, comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks are becoming a priority for both government bodies and private partners.