A remarkable 1,521 awareness workshops were conducted across 35 States/UTs, 599 districts, 493 blocks/tehsils, and 134 gram panchayats, reaching over 3.08 lakh beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) marked Safer Internet Day on February 11, 2025, with a comprehensive nationwide awareness campaign under the theme ‘Together for a Better Internet.’ This initiative underscored the government’s commitment to promoting cyber hygiene, enhancing digital literacy, and strengthening national cybersecurity resilience.
A Nationwide Cyber Awareness Drive
The campaign, organized under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program, saw the active participation of various institutions, including NIC, NIXI, C-DAC, NIELIT, MyGov, and NeGD. A remarkable 1,521 awareness workshops were conducted across 35 States/UTs, 599 districts, 493 blocks/tehsils, and 134 gram panchayats, reaching over 3.08 lakh beneficiaries. These sessions provided essential guidance on cyber threat mitigation, digital security best practices, and responsible online behavior, ensuring inclusivity by covering rural and urban populations alike.
Strengthening Digital Resilience Through Mass Outreach
Recognizing the importance of multi-platform engagement, MeitY leveraged traditional and digital media channels to maximize outreach. Cyber awareness messages, expert interviews, and informational content were disseminated in 11 major Indian languages via FM stations, Prasar Bharati, and Vividh Bharati networks, reaching an estimated 2.27 crore listeners. Meanwhile, the campaign’s digital engagement, driven by MyGov, NIC, and ISEA teams, resulted in over 5.49 lakh social media impressions and 63.57 lakh views across 680 creative posts. This hybrid approach ensured widespread access to vital cybersecurity information.
Empowering Government Officials with Digital Security Tools
A significant highlight of the initiative was an online workshop titled ‘Navigating the Digital Highway: Safeguarding Your Online Journey.’ Engaging 1,217 government officials from various ministries, departments, and organizations, the session emphasized best cybersecurity practices. It introduced critical security tools such as PIC2MAP, deviceinfo.me, coveryourtracks.eff.org, stopNCII.org, and SecureEraser, demonstrating their application in verifying online content authenticity, preventing identity fraud, analyzing device fingerprints, and securing personal data. The workshop’s practical approach was widely appreciated, reinforcing cybersecurity preparedness among key decision-makers.
Building a Cyber-Aware Workforce: The ISEA Project
MeitY’s commitment to long-term cybersecurity education is embodied in the ISEA Project. With the launch of ISEA Phase-III in October 2023, the initiative aims to train 2.25 lakh individuals over the next five years. This includes 45,000 skilled and certified cybersecurity professionals and 2.3 lakh students and researchers in formal and non-formal courses. Additionally, the Cyber Aware Digital Naagrik campaign aims to extend cyber awareness training to over 12 crore beneficiaries, spanning school children, teachers, college students, faculty, women, senior citizens, government employees, MSMEs, and NGOs. These efforts align with India’s broader vision of becoming a digitally secure and self-reliant nation.
A Unified Effort for a Secure Digital India
MeitY’s proactive approach in spearheading cyber awareness reflects its dedication to fostering a safe and responsible digital ecosystem. The extensive outreach and educational initiatives under the ISEA Project will not only empower individuals with cybersecurity knowledge but also strengthen India’s defense against emerging cyber threats. As digital adoption accelerates, sustained efforts in cyber hygiene awareness will play a crucial role in ensuring a resilient digital infrastructure for the nation.
For further resources and cybersecurity awareness materials, visit ISEA and Stay Safe Online.
