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Australia-India PACTS to Deepen Cybersecurity and Tech Collaboration

15 de Julho de 2026, 05:27

Australia-India PACTS

Australia and India have unveiled the Australia-India PACTS, a new framework designed to deepen bilateral cooperation on cybersecurity, critical technologies, supply chain resilience, digital resilience, and defence research.

The new partnership replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and aims to strengthen national security, economic growth, and regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.

The two countries said the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS) builds on two decades of research collaboration, operational coordination, and policy engagement. It also reflects their shared commitment to creating secure digital ecosystems while promoting trusted technology partnerships.

Australia-India PACTS Built on Five Pillars

The Australia-India PACTS is structured around five pillars that will drive collaboration between governments, research institutions, universities, and the private sector. The framework is intended to increase two-way investment in emerging technologies while supporting innovation and the commercialisation of research.

The first pillar focuses on supply chain resilience by strengthening trusted technology supply chains and promoting secure trade. Both countries will establish a bilateral mechanism for trusted vendor frameworks and work together to improve undersea cable security through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience. The partnership also includes collaboration on semiconductor research, critical minerals, and trade diversification.

Australia-India PACTS Expands Critical Technology Collaboration

The second pillar focuses on critical technologies, with Australia and India planning to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, telecommunications, biotechnology, advanced materials, and space technologies.

The framework also supports the development of international standards for trustworthy AI and encourages collaboration between academic institutions and industry to promote responsible AI deployment. The two countries will also explore joint research, investment initiatives, and commercial partnerships in emerging technologies to strengthen long-term economic security across the Indo-Pacific.

Australia-India Prioritises Cybersecurity

A major component of the partnership is Australia India cybersecurity cooperation. Under the third pillar, both governments will work together to counter cybercrime, deter malicious cyber activity, strengthen cyber policy coordination, and protect critical infrastructure.

The framework proposes a consolidated bilateral mechanism for cyber and ICT cooperation, expanded engagement in United Nations cyber processes, increased trade opportunities for cybersecurity businesses, and practical workshops involving government agencies and industry stakeholders.

The partnership will also establish a cyber technology skills incubator to promote knowledge exchange and workforce development.

Australia-India PACTS Advances Digital Resilience

The fourth pillar focuses on digital resilience across the Indo-Pacific. Australia and India will collaborate on trusted Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives and promote scalable digital solutions that support connectivity, healthcare, education, renewable energy, critical infrastructure, and digital transformation.

The partnership also seeks to expand pilot projects that help countries across the region build adaptable digital ecosystems while strengthening regional capabilities.

Defence Research and Governance Framework

The fifth pillar strengthens defence science collaboration through joint research, innovation partnerships, and greater engagement between Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Areas of cooperation include maritime surveillance, advanced materials, defence innovation, and stronger links between defence start-up ecosystems.

The Australia-India PACTS will be jointly overseen by the Australian Deputy Secretary of the International and Security Group within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Indian Deputy National Security Advisor. Annual Senior Officials Meetings will review progress, assess emerging cyber and technology risks, and identify future collaborative projects under each pillar.

With the launch of Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), both countries have outlined a long-term roadmap that brings together cybersecurity, critical technologies, supply chain resilience, digital resilience, and defence cooperation under a single strategic framework aimed at strengthening security and technology collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.

Sunil Varkey Joins Hexaware Technologies as EVP & CISO

Firewall Daily – The Cyber Express

Por:Samiksha Jain

22 de Junho de 2026, 08:00

Sunil Varkey

Sunil Varkey has been appointed as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Hexaware Technologies, where he will lead the company's information security strategy, governance, risk management, and enterprise resilience initiatives. The appointment marks the latest leadership role for the cybersecurity veteran, who brings more than three decades of experience across global enterprises and multiple industry sectors. Based in Chennai, India, and operating in a hybrid work model, Varkey will be responsible for strengthening enterprise cybersecurity governance, risk management frameworks, and overall security strategy at Hexaware Technologies. His appointment was announced in June 2026.

Sunil Varkey to Lead Cybersecurity Strategy at Hexaware Technologies

In his new role, Sunil Varkey will oversee key areas including information security governance, enterprise risk management, and resilience initiatives. His responsibilities align with Hexaware Technologies' broader technology and growth objectives as the company continues to support large-scale digital transformation programs for clients worldwide. Hexaware Technologies delivers technology-led services across application development, cloud services, automation, data analytics, and enterprise IT operations. The company serves organizations across multiple industries and supports digital modernization initiatives at scale. Varkey's appointment comes as organizations continue to focus on strengthening cybersecurity programs and managing digital risks across increasingly complex technology environments.

More Than 30 Years of Cybersecurity Leadership Experience

Varkey brings over 30 years of experience in cybersecurity leadership spanning banking, telecommunications, IT services, manufacturing, and enterprise technology sectors. His professional experience extends across India, the Middle East, and the United States. His areas of expertise include cybersecurity governance, risk and compliance (GRC), security architecture, incident response, DevSecOps, cloud security, privacy management, cyber defense, business continuity management, security operations, and AI security. Prior to joining Hexaware Technologies, Varkey served as Cyber Security Consultant and Advisor at TAHAKOM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from June 2023 to March 2025. In that role, he worked alongside the organization's CISO to enhance cybersecurity resilience and strengthen security posture. Before TAHAKOM, he held the position of Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for EMEA and APJ at Forescout Technologies Inc. between April 2021 and November 2022. Based in Dubai, he focused on IT/OT security strategy, enterprise cybersecurity advisory services, and product positioning across global markets.

Leadership Roles Across Global Organizations

Between March 2020 and January 2021, Varkey served as Managing Director and Global Head of Cyber Security Assessments and Testing at HSBC in Hyderabad. He led a team of approximately 300 professionals responsible for penetration testing, threat modeling, vulnerability management, and third-party security risk assessments. Earlier, from December 2018 to February 2020, he worked as CTO and Security Strategist for the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe region at Symantec. His responsibilities included developing cybersecurity strategies for enterprise, government, industrial, and financial sector organizations. His career also includes senior leadership positions such as Global CISO at Wipro, CISO for Security and Privacy at Idea Cellular, and Vice President of Security Engineering at Barclays. Additionally, he held global security leadership roles at GE Capital, Genpact, Paramount Computer Systems, and other multinational organizations.

Focus on Governance, Risk Management, and Enterprise Resilience

Throughout his career, Varkey has overseen cybersecurity functions covering governance, compliance, strategy, security engineering, incident response, privacy, cloud security, cyber defense, and enterprise resilience. His experience includes leading security programs for organizations with large-scale user bases and complex operational environments. At Wipro, he served as Global CISO for a technology company supporting more than 200,000 end users. At Idea Cellular, he led security and privacy initiatives for a telecom operator with approximately 120 million subscribers. With his appointment, Hexaware Technologies adds a cybersecurity leader with extensive experience in building and scaling security programs across global enterprises. The move underscores the company's continued focus on strengthening cybersecurity operations, governance frameworks, and digital risk management capabilities as part of its ongoing technology initiatives.