On Tuesday, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant highlighted a dramatic 300% surge in cyberattacks from 2021 to 2024, speaking at the ‘Cyber Shikshit Bharat’ launch in New Delhi. He revealed that during the 2023 G20 Summit, the event’s website endured 1.6 million intrusion attempts per minute.
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The ‘Cyber Shikshit Bharat initiative debuted at the ‘Cyber Warfare 2025: Strategies and Challenges seminar hosted by Lisianthus Tech, a cybersecurity firm. Kant, formerly NITI Aayog’s CEO, noted a sharp rise in sophisticated attacks on India’s banking, financial services, and insurance sectors in 2024, with data breaches costing an average of $2.8 million.
“The increasing use of cyber tools to steal, disrupt, and manipulate is a serious issue. It calls for collaboration across defence, intelligence, diplomacy, industry, and society,” Kant emphasized.
He praised the Modi government’s efforts, including the 2013 National Cyber Security Policy, to bolster India’s digital defences. The ‘Cyber Shikshit Bharat’ program, aligned with Viksit Bharat and Cyber Surakshit Bharat visions, aims to establish a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, focusing on AI-powered security, digital risk management, hardware safeguards, and global advocacy.
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Jayant Sinha, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, addressed India’s shortage of skilled cyber experts, urging stronger regulations. “Cybercrime is rising fast. While big firms adopt protections, many small businesses and individuals remain unaware of digital risks,” he said.
Sinha explained the CAG’s role in auditing government cybersecurity and ensuring compliance with STQC and CERT-In standards. He advocated for government-industry partnerships, professional training, and AI-driven solutions to tackle evolving threats.
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Vinod G. Khandare, Ministry of Defence Principal Adviser and ex-Lieutenant General, stressed a secure cyber foundation for a developed India. “Everyone with a device is at risk. Cyber wars lack borders or clear enemies—trust but verify. A cyber-secure nation paves the way for economic strength,” he said.
SK Verma, Lisianthus Tech Chairman, framed cyber warfare as a geopolitical challenge. “From state-backed infrastructure attacks to profit-driven cybercrime, threats evolve rapidly. Hybrid warfare now blends cyber tactics with military and political aims. We need proactive intelligence, AI security, and real-time vigilance,” he urged.
Khushhal Kaushik, Lisianthus Tech’s founder-CEO, said the initiative seeks to fortify India’s digital framework, train professionals, and foster a safer global cyber landscape.