The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, organized a ‘Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Workshop on Cyber Security’ in New Delhi on September 18, 2024. The workshop, part of the “Cyber Surakshit Bharat” initiative, witnessed participation from over 250 CISOs, Deputy CISOs, frontline IT officers, and senior officials from various Ministries and State Departments.

The inaugural session was graced by key dignitaries, including Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY; Ms. Savita Utreja, Group Coordinator (Cyber Security), MeitY and Shri Nand Kumarum, President & CEO, NeGD, MeitY. Their insightful addresses reflected the government’s commitment to ensure a secure digital ecosystem through capacity building and collaborative efforts.

Balancing confidentiality, threat intelligence sharing, and secure digital design

Secretary, MeitY, Shri S. Krishnan delivered the keynote address, laying emphasis on the need to create independent information security verticals across organizations to act as watchdogs and first lines of defense. Shri Krishnan highlighted the importance of balancing confidentiality with threat intelligence sharing and securing digital applications by design, while stressing upon continuous learning to protect systems across government and society.

Clean up with ‘Cyber Swachhata’ initiative

In his inaugural address, Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY underlined the growing importance of cyber security as part of the Digital India campaign and called for robust cyber crisis management plans, akin to disaster management frameworks. He introduced the "Cyber Swachhata" initiative, urging organizations to cleanse their systems of malware and likening the effort to the Swachhata Abhiyan.

Focus on cyber security trends and innovations

Shri Nand Kumaram, President & CEO, NeGD underscored the vital role of conducting CISO Workshops, recognizing the continuous transformation organizations are undergoing in both hardware and software domains. He encouraged participants to actively engage and share their diverse experiences during the sessions.

Ms. Savita Utreja, Group Coordinator (Cybersecurity) at MeitY, shared vital insights on enhancing the nation’s cyber security framework. She said that with the rapid adoption of emerging technologies, all organizations are now directed to appoint CISOs. With a proactive approach, organizations must identify assets, detect threats, respond effectively, and improve resilience to stay ahead of cyber challenges.

The CISO Workshop on Cyber Security aimed to provide valuable insights and strategies that will help CISOs stay ahead in securing our digital landscapes. The program agenda was curated to cover a range of critical topics, from cyber security threat landscapes to the latest innovations in artificial intelligence and zero-trust architecture.

Training to 1,662 professionals in 45 sessions

Launched in 2018, the CISO training program has been a successful collaboration between the Government and the private sector under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. NeGD has conducted 45 batches of CISO deep-dive training programs, benefiting over 1,662 CISOs, Additional CISOs, Deputy CISOs, and frontline IT officers across India. The program aims to raise awareness about cybercrime and equip organizations with the knowledge and tools required to defend their digital infrastructures and respond to cyber threats proactively.

The CISO Workshop on Cyber Security provided an essential platform for senior officials to engage in discussions on the evolving challenges in cyber security, contributing to the development of a safer and more resilient digital landscape in India.

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Kshitij Singha

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