Democratisation of technology and the increasing adoption of tech India has seen in recent times is commendable. However, the inclusion of a large number of Indians into the wider net has brought forth its own set of challenges. Including exposing countless individuals, businesses and national infrastructure to an unprecedented level of cyber threats. Since these threats have been causing major financial losses and reducing pubic trust in digital systems.
According to data reported to and tracked by CERT-In, the number of cybersecurity incidents in India has seen a sharp rise over the past three years. In 2022, a total of 13,91,457 incidents were recorded, which increased to 15,92,917 in 2023. The trend continued upward in 2024, with the total number of reported cyber incidents reaching 20,41,360, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of cyber threats across the country.
Pro-Active approach needed from the government!
To minimise further damage, more awareness initiatives are needed from the governments. Additionally, active involvement of the government in fighting cybercrime is pivotal since there is a sophistication seen in cyber threats. Failure in the aforementioned has resulted in victims falling prey to phishing, hacking or cyber fraud due lack of awareness about online safety measures. Moreover, the fight against this menace of cybercrime will require public awareness campaigns and educating citizens about safe online practices, while promoting digital literacy from an early age.
Voicing the same opinion, Vineet Kumar, Founder & Global President, CyberPeace, told Financial Express, “Strengthening cybersecurity laws, investing in advanced security infrastructure, and fostering close collaboration between state and central agencies are essential steps to ensure quicker detection, stronger deterrence, and decisive action against cybercriminals. Together, these measures create a more secure environment that protects citizens and strengthens the country’s overall digital safety.”
Steps people should follow to stay protected!
Since it is very easy to be aware about cybercrimes. Here are five key points to protect oneself from cyber criminals for your article:
Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security beyond just passwords.
Keep your software, operating systems, and antivirus programs up to date. Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit.
Be cautious with emails or messages from unknown sources. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments, as these could be phishing attempts or contain malware.
Secure your devices with passwords, PINs, or biometric locks, and use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when accessing the internet over public Wi-Fi to protect your data from interception.
Regularly back up important data and be mindful of the apps and permissions you grant. Limiting access reduces the risk of unauthorized data usage or leaks.
“Today’s digital threats go far beyond viruses, evolving into AI-driven frauds, identity-theft attempts, and highly targeted attacks that exploit every breadcrumb of personal data we leave behind. In this landscape, privacy is the real currency, and our data is increasingly vulnerable especially on the Dark Web, where stolen identities are traded at scale,” said Sneha Katkar, Head of Product Strategy, Quick Heal Technologies Ltd.
To conclude the above, it is only by fostering collaborations between the government, private sector, and civil society that citizens can be protected from cyber crimes while ensuring greater democratic inclusion. Even continuously updating legal frameworks to deal with emerging threats is important, so that state authorities can create a safer digital environment. Lastly, creating a public consciousness about cyber hygiene and building threat-resilient cyber ecosystems are essential steps to protect individuals and safeguard India’s digital future from the relentless rise of cybercrimes.
