IHMCL, NFSU Join Hands to Safeguard Digital Highway Operations

Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) signed a key agreement with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) to enhance cyber security and data protection in national highway operations. The move reflects the government’s focus on safeguarding digital infrastructure as highways increasingly rely on technologies like Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling and advanced traffic management systems.

About the MoU: What Has Been Agreed

• The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on cyber forensics, digital evidence integrity, research, training and consultancy.
• It aims to protect sensitive highway data from cyber threats and ensure secure functioning of digital platforms used in national highway management.
• The agreement is valid for a three-year period, allowing long-term collaboration between infrastructure and forensic experts.

Why Cyber Security Is Crucial for Highways

• Modern highways generate and process large volumes of data, including vehicle movement, toll payments, surveillance feeds and traffic analytics.
• With the rollout of Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, physical toll booths are being replaced by fully digital systems.
• Any cyber breach could disrupt traffic, compromise user data or cause revenue losses, making cyber resilience a national priority.

Key Technologies Covered Under the Partnership

• The collaboration will cover critical highway technologies such as MLFF tolling systems, Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and secure data storage platforms.
• By integrating forensic expertise, the partnership will help in early detection of cyber incidents, secure handling of digital evidence and faster response to cyber threats affecting highway operations.

Role of National Forensic Sciences University

• NFSU brings specialized expertise in cyber forensics, digital investigation and data integrity.
• Through this MoU, it will support research, capacity building and training of personnel involved in highway operations.
• This ensures that technical staff are equipped to handle cyber incidents professionally and in line with legal standards.

Key Summary at a Glance

Question

Q. Indian Highways Management Company Limited functions under which authority?

A. Ministry of Home Affairs
B. NITI Aayog
C. National Highways Authority of India
D. Ministry of Electronics and IT