Google Safety Engineering Centre Coming Up In City

Google and the Telangana government today announced an agreement as part of which the technology giant will set up a Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC) for creating cybersecurity and safety engineering solutions for the world.

In addition to setting up the GSEC, Google, which has its largest employee base in Hyderabad, is also building its largest office outside of its headquarters in Mountain View (USA), in the city.

The GSEC was initially announced on October 3, 2024, at the Google For India 2024 Conclave, sparking a competitive race among States to secure this investment.

The GSEC will be the first of its kind in the APAC region after Tokyo, and the fifth globally following similar facilities in Dublin, Munich and Malaga.

This GSEC is said to be envisioned to be a specialized international cybersecurity hub that will play a vital role in developing advanced security and online safety products tailored to the Indian context. The centre will focus on cutting-edge research and AI-driven security solutions, and create a collaborative platform for leading experts and researchers in cybersecurity. It also aims to foster skill development, boost employment and enhance cybersecurity capabilities in India.

The establishment of GSEC in Hyderabad is expected to be transformative for the city and the State, bringing in best-in-class safety engineers and local policy experts, and fostering collaboration with academic institutions and government partners to address the unique challenges of cybersecurity in the country.

Welcoming Royal Hansen, CIO of Google, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said, "We are very proud that Google has chosen Hyderabad for setting up the GSEC. This partnership is a testament to Hyderabad's standing as a leading IT and innovation hub in the country and the world. Telangana has always been at the forefront of digital skill development, and Hyderabad has been the epicentre of IT/ITES development globally. Our city is already home to five of the most valuable tech companies in the world - Alphabet (Google), Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta. Now, with this partnership, I hope we can rapidly solve the global problems of cybersecurity from Hyderabad."

Royal Hansen, CIO of Google, said, "We are super excited that Google is establishing the GSEC in Hyderabad, a city that is wonderfully positioned to become the global capital and hub for safety engineering, including cyber and digital security. With this partnership, Hyderabad can become a global centre for this huge area and cater to the security needs of the world. The common alignment of vision for excellence between Google and CM Revanth Reddy in making Hyderabad a global centre promises more partnerships ahead."