Gandhinagar, Jan 1 (NationPress) In a strategic initiative to protect the State's energy infrastructure from potential cyber attacks, the Gujarat government has formed a Core Committee and a Task Force led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Energy Minister Rishikesh Patel. This effort focuses on preparing Gujarat's energy sector against evolving cyber threats due to the rising use of modern and digital technologies.

With the integration of smart meters, smart grids, and SCADA systems into the State's continuous power supply network, the risks of cyber intrusions have escalated. To mitigate this, the Energy and Petrochemicals Department (EPD) has established an 11-member Core Committee and a 19-member Task Force. Their mission is to evaluate vulnerabilities, review response readiness, and formulate a comprehensive strategy for cyber security within the energy sector.

The committees will scrutinize IT and cyber security measures for essential infrastructure, assess cyber policies, and analyze incident response strategies. They will also propose enhancements, design a detailed cyber security framework, and implement initiatives such as cyber drills, specialized training, and public awareness campaigns.

Collaboration with academic institutions, industry specialists, and government agencies at both national and state levels will be crucial to ensure a unified strategy.

The goal of this initiative is to create a robust, organized, and future-ready cyber security system, ensuring that Gujarat's energy infrastructure remains resilient against dynamic cyber threats while facilitating uninterrupted power supply and supporting industrial advancement.

India is at the forefront of a rapidly changing cyber security landscape, driven by the nation's increasing dependence on digital infrastructure, e-governance, and emerging technologies like IoT, cloud computing, and smart grids.

Significant challenges include frequent ransomware and malware attacks, phishing, data breaches, and advanced persistent threats targeting critical sectors such as energy, finance, healthcare, and defense.

The shortage of skilled cyber security professionals, inconsistent regulatory enforcement, and low cyber awareness among individuals and small businesses further intensify these risks. Moreover, nation-state attacks and cross-border cyber threats present strategic challenges, underscoring the urgent need for solid frameworks, threat intelligence sharing, and a culture of proactive cyber security across both government and private sectors.