Cybersecurity Workshop for MSMEs, Startups in Lucknow

The Working Group 7 of the India US CEO Forum in association with the CyberPeace Foundation organized a cybersecurity capacity building and skilling workshop for MSMEs and startups in Lucknow. The workshop, an initiative under NIHIT, was held on the sidelines of the CII conference on Cybersecurity and data protection.  The workshop saw participation of over 75 MSMEs, startups and young entrepreneurs to learn about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the importance of security in today's digital age.

Dr Subi Chaturvedi, Global SVP, Chief Corporate Affairs & Public Policy Officer, InMobi emphasizing the growing importance of cybersecurity said, "India is the most targeted country in the world when it comes to cyber-attacks, and state-sponsored attacks on the nation have increased by 278%. As India is innovating at top speed and creating value, it has become very attractive for hackers, state and non-state actors. Every device is now a connected device, making it easier to hack these devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) has added another layer of complexity. Such attacks affect businesses, individuals and critical infrastructure in an unprecedented manner. For India, the gap between digital infrastructure and digital literacy needs to be closed with urgency through national-level capacity building programs. The global south will have to take the leadership in everything cyber and ensure user safety, in addition to inherent trust and integrity in all systems. Innovation has to be responsible, inclusive, ethical, and secure for India to realize its innovation potential and become a hub of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. This would be essential to becoming the third largest economy in the world".

Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global CEO, CyberPeace Foundation, said, “It is imperative for MSMEs and startups to prioritize cybersecurity to safeguard their operations and sensitive data. 43 percent of all cyberattacks target MSMEs and startups in India and since they account for nearly 35% of the nation’s GDP, it is important to cut avoidable losses.  By implementing strong cybersecurity measures, businesses can protect themselves from the increasing threat of cyberattacks and ensure their longevity in the market. This workshop aims to equip MSMEs with the knowledge and tools needed to proactively defend against cyber threats and build a resilient digital infrastructure”. He shared free to use tools and gave practical, hands on advice to startups and MSMEs to enhance cyber hygiene. 

The workshop was the second under the aegis of the NIHIT platform, an initiative of the WG7 of the India US CEO Forum. InMobi and Mastercard are anchoring the working group from India and the US respectively, while Tata Sons is anchoring the overall CEO Forum from India and supporting the initiatives. The initiative furthers the intersessional work done by the working group for empowering MSMEs, startups, and small businesses. The series of workshops will look to build capacity and upskill professionals in securing their businesses against online threats, ensuring their safe, secure and sustainable growth, and their integration into the global supply chain, enhancing India’s export share.