New Delhi: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is fortifying the nation’s cyber defence architecture through strategic research collaborations, public-private partnerships, and active participation in international forums. Aligned with the vision of ‘Digital India’, the national cyber security agency is committed to building a robust and trusted cyber ecosystem, as stated in an official release on Saturday.
Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In and Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasised the agency’s role in issuing timely alerts and tailored advisories to organisations and citizens. Speaking to visiting journalists from Europe, America, and Central Asian countries, Dr Bahl highlighted CERT-In’s responsibilities in cyber security, crisis management, vulnerability assessment, information sharing, and coordinated response to cyber incidents. He also mentioned the agency’s efforts in empanelling auditors and conducting specialised training programmes within India.
Dr Bahl underscored India’s rapid emergence as a global cybersecurity hub, driven by over 400 startups and a skilled workforce of more than 6.5 lakh professionals, powering a $20 billion cybersecurity industry. These innovators are developing advanced solutions for threat detection, cyber forensics, and AI-based monitoring systems, reinforcing India’s commitment to a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) acts as a double-edged sword — enabling both defenders and adversaries,” Dr Bahl observed. He elaborated on how CERT-In leverages AI-driven analytics and automation to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents in real time, while also developing countermeasures against malicious AI-enabled attacks.
The visiting journalists were briefed on CERT-In’s continuous drills, capacity-building initiatives, and international collaborations. Dr Bahl also stated that India reported 147 ransomware incidents in 2024, adding that CERT-In’s coordinated actions significantly mitigated their impact through real-time intelligence sharing and forensic interventions.
Krishan Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, MeitY, highlighted various initiatives of the ministry, including the ‘India AI Impact Summit’, scheduled for February 2026. He also discussed policy support for startups developing indigenous cybersecurity solutions, cyber-security research and development, and various national-level initiatives and projects of the ministry.
As India continues to strengthen its cyber defence capabilities, CERT-In’s proactive approach and strategic vision are pivotal in safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure and fostering a secure cyber environment.