Mumbai: The Institute of Development & Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), India''s first autonomous centre for development and research in banking technology, has announced that it has set up a fully functional technology demonstration lab powered by Cisco Systems at its campus in Hyderabad.

Cisco Systems has set up this lab to train all IDRBT, RBI and other public sector banking professionals on end-to-end security and wireless solutions.

IDRBT has already conducted two sessions to train more than 60 RBI personnel on network security utilising the lab. It would also be used to train personnel from other banks to familiarise them on the deployment of wireless solutions and implementation of security.

Dr VP Gulati, director, IDBRT, said, "The Indian banking and financial sector has been at the forefront of technology-driven change over the last few years. With the increased absorption of cutting edge solutions to make banking services available anytime, anywhere to the customers, there comes the need for appropriately upskilling banking professionals on these technologies - especially on ensuring that security is not compromised while making banking more convenient. IDRBT has invested in this lab to deliver precisely such training."

Speaking about the deployment, B Ashok, vice president, Cisco Systems India and SAARC, said, "The IDRBT technology lab is a unique concept. This is the first instance of an organisation having shown the foresight of investing in such a lab to train and equip India''s bankers on cutting edge technologies, which are driving the growth of the Indian banking sector. The solution has been deployed in record time — and IDRBT has already conducted its first training session in the lab."