NIIT Foundation, in partnership with Cisco, marked a major milestone under the Cyber Suraksha initiative, empowering 1.5 million learners with essential cyber safety awareness and skills. The Cyber Suraksha Plus Milestone Event, held in Mumbai, underscored the growing importance of digital resilience in protecting youth and underserved communities amid rising cyber threats.
The event featured beneficiary testimonials, the launch of the Cyber Suraksha Programme Booklet, capturing the initiative’s journey and nationwide impact and discussions on the role of large-scale awareness programmes in strengthening India’s cybersecurity readiness.
Senior leadership from Cisco, including Mr. Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President & Chief Social Impact and Inclusion Officer; Mr. Harish Krishnan, Managing Director & Chief Policy Officer, Cisco India & Southeast Asia; and Mr. Tarun Anthony, Project Manager, Cisco CSR, addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of inclusive partnerships in building a secure digital future.
The milestone event brought together leaders from the technology, governance, and cybersecurity ecosystems, including Shri Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber Department, Shri Raj Shekhar Joshi, Vice Chairman, SETU Ayog, Government of Uttarakhand; Mr. P. Rajendran, Co-Founder, NIIT Limited; and Mr. Vinayak Godse, CEO, Data Security Council of India.
A key highlight was a virtual address by India’s Chess Grandmaster Mr. Viswanathan Anand, who drew parallels between strategic thinking in chess and preparedness in the digital world. “Just as success in chess depends on anticipating risks, staying safe online requires awareness and informed decision-making,” he said.
From a law enforcement perspective, Shri Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber Department emphasized the growing threat of cybercrime, noting, “Cyber-crime is now the largest organized crime syndicate in the world. With the rise of AI and quantum computing, cybercrimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Cybercrime today affects citizens across age groups and geographies, adding that awareness and preventive education form the first line of defense against cyber threats.” He extended his congratulations to Cisco for reaching this important milestone and reinforcing the nation’s cybersecurity posture.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President & Chief Social Impact and Inclusion Officer, Cisco, said, “As India’s economy digitizes at scale, technology must be a bridge to opportunity, not a barrier. Through our longstanding collaboration with NIIT Foundation on the Cyber Suraksha initiative, we are scaling AI and cybersecurity training and creating pathways for underserved individuals to build the skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world.”
