Working Group 7 of India-US CEO Forum in collaboration with Cyberpeace Foundation organized a cybersecurity capacity building and skilling workshop for SMEs and startups in Lucknow. The workshop was an initiative of NIHIT and was organised on the sidelines of CII Conference on Cybersecurity and Data Protection. The workshop saw participation of over 75 SMEs, startups and young entrepreneurs who learnt about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the importance of security in today’s digital era.
Highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity, Dr. Subhi Chaturvedi, Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer, InMobi said, “India is the most targeted country in the world when it comes to cyber attacks, with a 278% increase in state-sponsored attacks on the country. India is innovating and creating value at a rapid pace, making it highly attractive for hackers, state and non-state actors. Every device is becoming a connected device, making it easier to hack, and the Internet of Things (IoT) adds complexity. Such attacks are having unprecedented impacts on businesses, individuals and critical infrastructure. For India, the gap in digital infrastructure and digital literacy needs to be bridged urgently through national capacity building programs. Countries in the global south need to show leadership in all things cyber and ensure user safety along with the inherent trust and integrity of all systems.” For India to realise its innovation potential and become a hub for emerging technologies like AI, blockchain and quantum computing, innovation must be responsible, inclusive, ethical and secure. This is essential for India to become the world’s third largest economy.”
Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global CEO, Cyberpeace Foundation, said, “SMEs and startups need to make cybersecurity a top priority to protect their operations and sensitive data. In India, 43% of cyber attacks target SMEs and startups, and with these businesses accounting for around 35% of India’s GDP, it is important to reduce avoidable losses. Implementing strong cybersecurity measures can help businesses protect themselves against the growing threat of cyber attacks and ensure their survival in the market. This workshop aims to provide SMEs with the knowledge and tools they need to proactively defend against cyber threats and build a resilient digital infrastructure.” Major Kumar shared tools that can be used for free and provided practical, actionable advice to startups and SMEs to strengthen their cyber hygiene.
This is the second workshop under the auspices of the NIHIT Platform, an initiative of India-US CEO Forum’s Working Group 7. InMobi and Mastercard are leading the working group from India and US respectively, while Tata Sons is leading the CEO Forum as a whole from India and supporting the effort. This initiative further builds on the off-site efforts by the working group to support MSMEs, startups and small and medium enterprises. The series of workshops aims to enhance the capacity and skills of professionals to protect their businesses from online threats, ensure safe, secure and sustainable growth and integration into global supply chains, and increase India’s export share.
About NIHIT: NIHIT (Network for Leveraging Innovation, Investment & Trade) is a collaborative platform that grew out of the India-US CEO Forum’s Working Group on Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Growth and SMEs. The platform was established to build a vibrant ecosystem where startups and SMEs from India and the US can seamlessly connect, collaborate and grow.
About the India-US CEO Forum: Aimed at improving bilateral trade between India and the US, the forum brings together top companies from both countries under the guidance of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and the US Department of Commerce.
