‘Semicon Shield’ to protect semiconductor clusters in Sanand, Dholera

Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad Rural Police, along with other stakeholders, is working on the ‘Semicon Shield' initiative, considered a first-of-its-kind initiative led by a state police force.Senior officials associated with the project told TOI that the Rs 15 crore initiative is planned at Sanand GIDC as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) that can serve both the Sanand and Dholera clusters of semiconductor manufacturing and the allied sector.Officials added that a specially trained force will be deployed at the CoE, along with industry partners, for functions such as an intelligence and threat analysis centre, a technology and AI testing lab, a legal and IP support cell, and an investigation and digital forensics support unit."It will also carry out collaborative research and advisory, provide access to real-world operational environments for field studies, drills, and training exercises, and enable rapid deployment of security protocols and consultation services to industry partners," said a senior police official. The centre is sanctioned in this year's budget and is likely to be completed in one year's time, said officials.