Tanushree Basuroy
Research expert covering India
Cyber security in India - statistics & facts
With a significant internet population and increasing digitalization across the economy, the need for cyber security has also intensified. Apart from the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 that broadly dealt with cyber security, cybercrime, and data protection, India had no laws against cyber-attacks and espionage. The National Cyber Security Policy came into effect in India in 2013 as a result of Edward Snowden’s leak of the NSA surveillance program.
Despite its digital vision, India saw a drastic increase in the number of cyber-attacks and security breaches over the last few years, with a large share of Indians experiencing cyber crime. The disturbing magnitude of cyber security-related cases had become a cause of concern for corporates, investors, and society as a whole. Additionally, the rampant and unregulated use of newer technologies, especially artificial intelligence, has made it harder to grapple with cyber threats.
India has significantly advanced on the global cyber security index, ranking among the “role-model” countries in 2024. This ranking was based on legal and technical measures, along with capacity-building and organizational processes. Since laying the framework for the national Cyber Security Policy in 2013, the government has launched agencies such as the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) as part of its cyber security strategy.
The sheer number of internet users, including children and teenagers in India demand an efficient system to deal with cyber crime. The rise of social media connectivity and digital payments further proved that cyber security is no more a choice but a necessity. While the inherent vulnerabilities cannot be eliminated, understanding technology gaps, and allocating the right resources in the right places can go a long way in solving the problem, creating jobs, and empowering people along the way.
Cyber security in the Indian context
The idea of cyber security has long revolved around protecting data, making it the most central and consistent element in the entire digital ecosystem. Understanding data has become a pivotal aspect of understanding customers for any business. As a result, countless sectors, including finance and healthcare, have shifted to digital platforms. While this helps make processes easier and more convenient, it also exposed the risks of data – of both the consumer and the company. Cyber crime in India increased significantly over the years, recording exponential numbers for data theft alone.Despite its digital vision, India saw a drastic increase in the number of cyber-attacks and security breaches over the last few years, with a large share of Indians experiencing cyber crime. The disturbing magnitude of cyber security-related cases had become a cause of concern for corporates, investors, and society as a whole. Additionally, the rampant and unregulated use of newer technologies, especially artificial intelligence, has made it harder to grapple with cyber threats.
How is India fighting cyber crime?
India has undertaken several steps to contain the effects of cyber threat. The cyber security market across the country was valued at nearly 140 billion rupees, estimated to double by 2025. Indian organizations have become more aware of the risks, leading to larger investments and expenditure towards protection and encryption. Cyber security expenditure has grown significantly in India, with vulnerable industries such as the IT and banking and financial sectors emerging as the leading contributors.India has significantly advanced on the global cyber security index, ranking among the “role-model” countries in 2024. This ranking was based on legal and technical measures, along with capacity-building and organizational processes. Since laying the framework for the national Cyber Security Policy in 2013, the government has launched agencies such as the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) as part of its cyber security strategy.
The sheer number of internet users, including children and teenagers in India demand an efficient system to deal with cyber crime. The rise of social media connectivity and digital payments further proved that cyber security is no more a choice but a necessity. While the inherent vulnerabilities cannot be eliminated, understanding technology gaps, and allocating the right resources in the right places can go a long way in solving the problem, creating jobs, and empowering people along the way.
