Is Securing India’s Cyberspace a Shared Responsibility?

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Is Securing India’s Cyberspace a Shared Responsibility?

Synopsis

As India faces a rapid increase in cybersecurity incidents, the need for a united front between the government and citizens becomes paramount. With substantial investments in training and resources, the fight against cyber fraud is evolving. How can we enhance our cyber resilience and protect our digital future?

Key Takeaways

  • Cybersecurity incidents in India doubled in the last two years.
  • Over 1 lakh police officers are trained in cybercrime investigation.
  • Financial Fraud Risk Indicator helps identify suspicious numbers.
  • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal facilitates citizen reporting.
  • Collaborative efforts are crucial for enhancing cyber resilience.

New Delhi, Oct 8 (NationPress) As incidents related to cybersecurity have surged from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, the Centre emphasized on Wednesday that protecting India’s cyberspace is a collective duty, necessitating collaboration between the government and its citizens to tackle cyber fraud.

Currently, over 1,05,796 police personnel are registered on the CyTrain portal, with more than 82,704 certificates issued, providing essential skills in cybercrime investigation to frontline officers, as per an official statement.

With a budget allocation of Rs 132.93 crore from the Centre, cyber forensic training labs have successfully trained over 24,600 individuals in areas like cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, and preventive strategies.

Furthermore, by March 2025, CERT-In had conducted 109 cybersecurity mock drills, involving 1,438 organizations across various states and sectors to evaluate cyber preparedness and enhance resilience, according to government reports.

India's digital surge has connected more than 86 percent of households to the internet, thereby increasing the potential for cyber fraud. Enhanced forensics, big data analytics, and homegrown tools have fortified national cyber resilience, as stated in the release.

As India celebrates the swift deployment of 5G technology, with 1.2 billion mobile subscribers and 970 million internet users, the emphasis on creating secure, inclusive, and scalable digital infrastructures solidifies the country’s role as a global leader in trusted and transformative digital systems.

The government pointed out the rising threats, including spoofing, phishing, and AI-driven deepfakes, whereby individuals are tricked into disclosing sensitive data through misleading emails or messages.

After instances of UPI being compromised via hacked mobile numbers, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initiated the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), categorizing suspicious numbers into medium, high, or very high risk.

India’s regulatory framework encompasses the Information Technology Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, along with operational entities like CERT-In, NCIIPC, Samanvaya, and the Sahyog portal to address the surge in cybersecurity threats, as per the release.

Additionally, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal was launched to facilitate citizens in reporting various cybercrime complaints, especially those targeting women and children. A dedicated cybercrime helpline, 1930, offers immediate support to victims of online financial fraud, the release highlighted.

- –IANS

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Point of View

The recent surge in cybersecurity incidents underscores the critical need for a collaborative approach between the government and citizens. This shared responsibility is essential for building a robust digital framework that not only safeguards individuals but also fortifies our national security. It's imperative that all stakeholders engage actively in this fight against cybercrime.
NationPress
08/10/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recent statistics on cybersecurity incidents in India?
Cybersecurity incidents in India doubled from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024, highlighting the urgency of addressing cyber fraud.
How is the government preparing police for cybercrime?
Over 1,05,796 police officers have registered on the CyTrain portal, with more than 82,704 certificates issued, enhancing their skills in cybercrime investigation.
What initiatives have been introduced to combat cyber fraud?
The government has launched the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to help citizens report cybercrime effectively.
What role does CERT-In play in cybersecurity?
CERT-In conducts cybersecurity mock drills and provides training to enhance organizational readiness against cyber threats.
Is there a helpline for cybercrime victims?
Yes, the dedicated cybercrime helpline number is 1930, providing immediate assistance to victims of online financial fraud.
Nation Press