The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has called for at least 15 percent of the government’s IT budget to be specifically reserved for cybersecurity efforts. This move reflects growing concerns about cyber threats and the need for proactive investment to protect digital infrastructure from evolving risks.
Addressing a cybersecurity summit hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the ministry’s Secretary emphasized that cybersecurity should not be treated as an afterthought but embedded into technology systems from the outset. He urged organizations to prioritize ‘security by design’ and maintain continuous vigilance against cyber attacks. Furthermore, he encouraged industry players to invest adequately in cybersecurity, support domestically developed security products, and promptly report incidents to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to enhance collective defense mechanisms.
Experts at the summit also highlighted parallel challenges on the horizon. The rapid development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) marks a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics, prompting calls for a national strategy to advance foundational AI research. Meanwhile, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued requests for information on AI model development, signaling government commitment to innovation in this area.
Participants also underscored concerns surrounding the future impact of quantum computing on current encryption standards. The expected obsolescence of conventional cryptographic systems places urgency on transitioning towards post-quantum cryptography as a national security priority.
Additional remarks from cybersecurity leaders pointed out the widening attack surface due to the rollout of 5G and forthcoming 6G technologies, which expose both large corporations and smaller businesses to increased cyber risks. The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts to devise strategies aimed at strengthening India’s resilience in an increasingly complex digital threat environment.