Why in news?
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C‑DAC) recently showcased its Integrated Cloud Environment, commonly called ICE Cloud, as part of India’s push for self‑reliant digital infrastructure. ICE Cloud is designed to give researchers, developers and enterprises a secure alternative to foreign cloud services, drawing attention to India’s growing capabilities in data sovereignty and cyber security.
Background
ICE Cloud was developed by C‑DAC to address the need for a flexible and secure computing platform within the country. Traditional public cloud services are dominated by multinational corporations, raising concerns about data localisation, costs and dependency. ICE Cloud offers a home‑grown solution that provides scalable computing power, storage and collaborative tools while adhering to national security standards. It supports research institutions, government agencies and start‑ups requiring controlled environments for sensitive data and high‑performance workloads.
Key features
- Dynamic provisioning: Users can allocate computing and storage resources on demand, enabling efficient use of hardware and reducing idle capacity.
- National image repository: A dedicated repository hosts pre‑configured virtual machine images, making it easy to deploy development environments or complex software stacks.
- Secure data storage: ICE Cloud provides encrypted and access‑controlled storage to safeguard sensitive information. Data centres are based in India, supporting compliance with data‑localisation policies.
- Containerised workflows: The platform allows containerised applications and research pipelines to run on dynamically allocated resources, supporting artificial intelligence, machine learning and other resource‑intensive tasks.
- Collaboration tools: Researchers and institutions can share datasets and applications securely within project groups, with fine‑grained control over who can view or modify data.
Significance
- Data sovereignty: By keeping data within Indian borders, ICE Cloud supports government and industry efforts to maintain control over sensitive information and comply with local regulations.
- Cost‑effective innovation: Publicly funded research projects can access high‑performance computing without paying for overseas cloud services, promoting innovation in science and technology.
- Digital self‑reliance: ICE Cloud aligns with the “Digital India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, reducing dependence on foreign technology and fostering domestic expertise in cloud computing.
Conclusion
ICE Cloud demonstrates India’s growing capability to build and operate advanced digital infrastructure. By offering flexible, secure and locally controlled resources, it supports research, industry and government initiatives while strengthening national data security.
Source: TH
