RBI ESTABLISHES SECOND SECURE DATA CENTRE IN ODISHA
Why in the News?
● Infrastructure Expansion: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has operationalised its second high-security data centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
● Strategic Location: Facility is positioned away from cross-border threat zones and high seismic-risk areas to ensure operational resilience.
STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NEW DATA CENTRE
● Critical Infrastructure: The centre will host core computing systems supporting currency management, payment settlement, and regulatory databases.
● Geographical Safety: Odisha location reduces vulnerability to cross-border missile or drone threats and major seismic disturbances.
● Continuity Framework: The facility strengthens business continuity and disaster recovery mechanisms for India’s financial systems.
● Greenfield Development: Built on an 18.55-acre campus at Info Valley-II, Khordha, reflecting long-term infrastructure planning.
● Redundancy Planning: Complements RBI’s existing primary data centre at Navi Mumbai, ensuring system redundancy.
IMPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL AND CYBER SECURITY
● Financial Stability: Securing digital infrastructure enhances stability of currency issuance and payment systems.
● Cyber Resilience: Distributed data architecture improves defence against cyberattacks and systemic disruptions.
● Digital Economy Backbone: Reliable infrastructure underpins platforms such as UPI, RTGS, and NEFT, critical for economic transactions.
● National Security Dimension: Protection of financial data forms part of broader critical information infrastructure security.
● Policy Integration: Aligns with India’s push toward secure digital public infrastructure and sovereign data management.