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Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics
Data-centre security, audit readiness, resilience planning, incident handling, log preservation and forensic collaboration, with experience aligned to ISO 27001:2022 and ISA/IEC 62443 concepts.
CYBERSECURITY • DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE • DIGITAL GOVERNANCE
Building digital systems that are secure, resilient and trusted.
Dr. Saibal Sarkar is a cybersecurity and digital infrastructure expert with about 40 years of experience shaping e-government, critical ICT infrastructure and citizen-centric digital services across India.
PhD
Security & Forensics in e-Governance
40+
Years of ICT experience
FIE
Institution of Engineers (India)
Advisor, Cybersecurity
Digital Infrastructure & Cyber-Security Expert
Former senior NIC leadership
State Data Centre leadership
Port ICT modernisation
Cybersecurity & digital forensics
e-Governance transformation
ABOUT
From ports to State Data Centres to citizen platforms.
Dr. Saibal Sarkar has led large-scale public-sector technology initiatives involving State Data Centres, port logistics systems, statewide connectivity, risk assessment and citizen-service platforms while managing multi-crore budgets, advising senior government stakeholders and guiding diverse technical teams.
His work spans the design, implementation and security of complex digital ecosystems in resource-constrained environments. His current focus is on bringing this experience into international advisory engagements, helping governments and development partners strengthen digital infrastructure, cyber resilience, policy frameworks and institutional capacity.
“Resilient, inclusive, and well-governed digital systems are essential for empowering nations.”
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Where experience meets emerging technology.
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Digital Infrastructure
Planning, architecture, implementation and governance of complex ICT environments spanning networks, servers, applications, data centres and operational teams.
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e-Governance & Digital Transformation
Citizen-centric platforms, statewide ICT strategy, policy rollout, service delivery, automation and large-scale government technology programmes.
04
IT / OT Cyber Risk
Cybersecurity gap and risk assessment for manufacturing environments, including IT/OT segmentation, privileged access, remote access, resilience and incident readiness.
05
AI & Emerging Technology
Exploration and practical application of AI-enabled solutions in agriculture, healthcare administration, policing and government process automation.
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Advisory & Capacity Building
Policy frameworks, DPRs, RFPs, vendor evaluation, implementation guidance, executive advisory and professional training in cybersecurity and digital governance.
ADVISORY SERVICES
Independent advice built on four decades of technology experience.
I provide strategic and independent advisory support to organisations dealing with cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, operational technology and large-scale digital transformation.
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Cybersecurity & Cyber-Risk Advisory
Cybersecurity strategy, cyber-risk assessment, security architecture, governance, resilience planning and independent security reviews.
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OT & Industrial Cybersecurity
Advisory for industrial and operational technology environments, including asset visibility, IT/OT segmentation, remote access, risk assessment and security architecture.
03
Data Centre & Digital Infrastructure
Independent advice on data-centre strategy, ICT infrastructure, resilience, capacity planning, architecture and technology implementation.
04
Digital Transformation & e-Governance
Strategic support for government and public-sector organisations undertaking digital transformation, e-governance and citizen-service programmes.
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Technology Due Diligence & Project Advisory
Independent technical review of projects, DPRs, RFPs, technology solutions, vendors and implementation plans.
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Strategic Technology Advisory
Senior-level independent advice to help organisations make informed decisions on technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure and digital transformation.
ENGAGEMENT MODELS
Strategic Advisory
Independent advice for senior management and leadership teams.
Project Advisory
Technical guidance and independent oversight for major projects.
Independent Assessment
Objective assessment of technology, cybersecurity and OT environments.
Technology Due Diligence
Independent evaluation for investments, procurement and partnerships.
Retainer Advisory
Ongoing access to senior technology and cybersecurity expertise.
Speaking & Knowledge Sharing
Executive briefings, technical sessions and professional training.
Looking for independent technology or cybersecurity advice?
Explore Advisory ServicesSELECTED IMPACT
Technology programmes at scale.
Applications hosted
State Data Centre leadership under the National e-Governance Plan.
Square miles
Optical-fibre and ICT modernisation programme at Haldia Dock Complex.
Police stations
Centralized Integrated Police Application (CIPA) work across West Bengal.
Years of SDC operations
West Bengal State Data Centre operated with minimal downtime.
CAREER
Four decades of public-sector technology leadership.
2021–2022
Dy. Director General & State Informatics Officer — NIC, West Bengal
Directed state-wide NIC operations across 18 districts; led citizen platforms, AI PoCs and election-process automation.
2019–2021
Head — National Port Projects, NIC HQ
Led digital transformation at Kolkata, Haldia, Ennore and Chennai ports; designed a faceless trade-documentation system and supervised ERP rollouts.
2017–2019
Dy. Director General & State Informatics Officer — NIC, Arunachal Pradesh
Established VSAT-based communications and computing systems and expanded e-District, finance and healthcare services.
2011–2017
Sr. Technical Director & SDC Lead — NIC, West Bengal
Led the State Data Centre, hosting 100+ applications and supporting ISO 20000/27001-based audits and statewide ICT initiatives.
2003–2011
Technical Director → Sr. Technical Director — NIC
Directed statewide digitisation projects including CIPA for 600 police stations and court information systems.
1999–2003
Head — NICSI West Bengal
Led the corporate wing's West Bengal operations and delivered a 66-square-mile optical-fibre network and Java-based ERP for Haldia Dock Complex.
1998–1999
Principal Systems Analyst → Technical Director — NIC
Delivered systems for Commercial Taxes, Public Service Commission and Cooperatives while supporting statewide NIC infrastructure.
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Researching the foundations of secure e-Governance.
PhD research focus: Security and Forensics in e-Governance.
Fuzzy-based Security Risk Assessment of e-Government Data Centres in Indian Context
Inderscience — Electronic Government
A Practical Approach to Protecting e-Government Data Logs for Security and Forensics
BJIT — Springer (accepted)
Security Ontology in e-Government Data Centre
Inderscience — Electronic Government
Secure E-Governance: From Observation to Policy Formulation
IEEE Conference
State Level Policy Framework on Digital Forensics for e-Governance
IEEE Conference
Architecture of a configurable Centered Discrete Fractional Fourier Transform processor
IEEE Conference
ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
Thought leadership on cybersecurity, technology and digital transformation.
Selected articles published on LinkedIn, reflecting Dr. Sarkar's perspectives on cyber risk, digital trust and the wider impact of technology.
Own cyber risk before it owns you
Why cybersecurity needs to be treated as a leadership and organisational risk priority as India accelerates its digital journey.
Read Article →OT Cybersecurity: Securing Critical Infrastructure in the Digital Age
Why industrial and operational technology environments require a cybersecurity approach built around visibility, segmentation, resilience and operational risk.
Read Article →Cybersecurity Risk Management for Large Public-Sector Digital Systems
A practical framework for governing cyber risk across large, complex digital systems, critical infrastructure and public services.
Read Article →Securing India's Critical Infrastructure: Why IT–OT Convergence Demands a New Cybersecurity Strategy
A practical framework for asset visibility, segmentation, OT security and cyber resilience across essential services.
Read Article →EDUCATION & RECOGNITION
Academic foundation.
PhD
Security and Forensics in e-Governance
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur · 2018–2021
National Institute of Technology, Durgapur · 2018–2021
M.E.
Electronics & Telecommunication (Computer Science)
Jadavpur University, Kolkata · 1985–1987
Jadavpur University, Kolkata · 1985–1987
B.E.
Electrical Engineering (Digital Electronics)
Bengal Engineering College (now IIEST Shibpur), Calcutta University · 1980–1984
Bengal Engineering College (now IIEST Shibpur), Calcutta University · 1980–1984
Selected recognitions.
- Five consecutive promotions within NIC, culminating in State Informatics Officer roles.
- Independent charge of NICSI West Bengal for more than three years.
- Achieved ISO 27001:2011 for the West Bengal State Data Centre.
- Selected as State Head of NIC in Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.
- Recognised for operating the West Bengal State Data Centre for seven years with minimal downtime.
EXECUTIVE BRIEFINGS
Focused sessions for senior decision-makers.
Confidential, focused briefings on cybersecurity, technology risk, critical infrastructure and digital transformation.
CAPACITY BUILDING
Building institutional technology and cybersecurity capability.
Workshops, professional sessions and institutional programmes can be developed around the organisation's requirements.
ADVISORY • SPEAKING • RESEARCH
Let's build secure, resilient digital ecosystems.
Available for short-term or retainer advisory assignments worldwide, particularly with governments, development partners and organisations working on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital governance and capacity building.
Email Dr. Sarkar
+91 94331 89734
Kolkata, India