December 13: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), hosted a cybersecurity familiarisation visit and interactive session for visiting journalists from Europe, America and Central Asian countries on December 12, 2025.
The interaction aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of India’s cybersecurity framework, institutional preparedness, and the country’s growing role as a global cybersecurity leader.
Showcasing India’s Cyber Defence Architecture
The session was chaired by Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In and Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), MeitY. In his address, Dr. Bahl outlined CERT-In’s core responsibilities, including cyber incident response, crisis management, vulnerability assessment, information sharing, auditor empanelment, and capacity building through specialised training programmes.
He highlighted that CERT-In’s work is supported by research collaborations, public–private partnerships, and active participation in international forums, helping build a robust and trusted cyber defence ecosystem aligned with the Digital India vision.
Proactive Alerts and Global Cybersecurity Leadership
Dr. Bahl stressed that CERT-In issues timely and tailored cyber alerts and advisories to organisations and citizens, enabling proactive protection against emerging threats while avoiding unnecessary panic.
Highlighting India’s rapid rise as a cybersecurity powerhouse, he noted that the country is home to over 400 cybersecurity startups and a skilled workforce of more than 6.5 lakh professionals, collectively powering a $20 billion cybersecurity industry. These innovators are developing advanced solutions in threat detection, cyber forensics, and AI-based monitoring, strengthening India’s digital resilience.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
Addressing the evolving threat landscape, Dr. Bahl described Artificial Intelligence as a double-edged sword, capable of empowering both defenders and cyber adversaries. He explained how CERT-In leverages AI-driven analytics and automation for real-time detection, prevention, and response to cyber incidents, while simultaneously developing countermeasures against malicious AI-enabled attacks.
International Collaboration and Capacity Building
The visiting journalists were briefed on CERT-In’s continuous cyber drills, capacity-building initiatives, and international collaborations. These include joint efforts with France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) to publish a high-level AI risk analysis report titled “Building Trust in AI through a Cyber Risk-Based Approach.”
Dr. Bahl also highlighted CERT-In’s role in conducting joint cyber drills with international partners, strengthening cybersecurity resilience in Indian cooperative banks, and safeguarding citizens’ digital devices from bots and malware—initiatives that were featured in the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025.
He noted that India reported 147 ransomware incidents in 2024, adding that CERT-In’s real-time intelligence sharing and forensic interventions significantly mitigated their impact.
MeitY’s Vision for AI and Cybersecurity
Welcoming the delegation, Shri Krishan Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, MeitY, outlined key ministry initiatives, including the IndiaAI Mission, policy support for indigenous cybersecurity startups, national-level R&D programmes, and the upcoming India AI Impact Summit, scheduled for February 2026.
Interactive Exchange
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, during which journalists and officials exchanged views on cross-border cooperation, cyber incident resolution, and global information-sharing mechanisms—reinforcing India’s commitment to a secure, trusted, and collaborative digital future.
