Lok Sabha Question No. 653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Steps for enhancing Cyber Security Standards
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Dr. Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 653

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025

## STEPS FOR ENHANCING CYBER SECURITY STANDARDS

## 653. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any necessary steps for enhancing cyber security standards, building digital infrastructure and promoting cyber security awareness;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that the nation has seen a significant increase in cyber threats in recent years, with both individuals and organisations facing various types of cyber attacks; and
- (d) if so, the details of the initiatives that have been taken/being taken by the Government to combat the cyber security challenges in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (d): The Government has undertaken several initiatives to enhance cyber security standards, strengthen  digital  infrastructure,  and  promote  cybersecurity  awareness,  with  the  objective  of ensuring  an  Open,  Safe,  Trusted,  and  Accountable  Internet  for  all  users.  Government  remains cognizant  and  aware  of  cyber  threats  and  challenges.  Following  measures  have  been  taken  to strengthen cybersecurity in the country:

- i. With participation from the government, industry, and academia, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulates cybersecurity standards through its technical committees. These committees also serve as the National Mirror Committees for the corresponding international committees of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and  the  International  Electrotechnical  Commission  (IEC).  India's  active  role  in international standardization efforts fosters collaboration with global partners, provides early  insights  into  emerging  developments,  promotes  alignment  with  evolving  best practices, and strengthens national cybersecurity capabilities.
- ii. The  Indian  Computer  Emergency  Response  Team  (CERT-In)  is  designated  as  the national  agency  for  responding  to  cyber  security  incidents  under  the  provisions  of section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- iii. The  Government  has  established  the  National  Critical  Information  Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) for protection of critical information infrastructure in the
4. country under the provisions of section 70A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.
- iv. CERT-In  works  with  other  agencies  involved  in  ensuring  cybersecurity  including Telecom Security Operations Centre (TSOC), India Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), National Centre Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), etc.
- v. CERT-In along  with  other  agencies  was  able  to  successfully  prevent  cyber-attacks during  the  G20  summit,  Parliament  20  summit,  Ram  Janmabhoomi  event,  Maha Kumbh etc.
- vi. Regular  training  workshops  are  conducted  for  cybersecurity  professionals,  Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) and government employees etc.
- vii. CERT-In  operates  an  automated  cyber  threat  intelligence  exchange  platform  for sharing tailored alerts with organisations across sectors for proactive threat mitigation.
- viii. Cyber  security  mock  drills  are  conducted  regularly  to  enable  assessment  of  cyber security posture and preparedness of organisations in Government and critical sectors.
- ix. Cyber  Swachhta  Kendra  (CSK)  is  a  citizen-centric  service  provided  by  CERT-In, which extends the vision of Swachh Bharat to the cyber space. Cyber Swachhta Kendra is  the  Botnet  Cleaning  and  Malware  Analysis  Centre  and  helps  to  detect  malicious programs and provides free tools to remove the same, and also provides cyber security tips and best practices for citizens and organisations.
- x. CERT-In has formulated Cyber Crisis Management Plan for countering cyber-attacks and  cyber  terrorism  for  implementation  by  all  Ministries/  Central  Government Departments, State Governments and their organizations and critical sectors.
- xi. CERT-In  has  empaneled  200  security  auditing  organizations  to  support  and  audit implementation of Information Security Best Practices.
- xii. Computer  Security  Incident  Response  Team  in  Finance  sector  (CSIRT-Fin)  under CERT-In is operational since May 2020 to coordinate cyber incident response in the banking and financial sector.
- xiii. MeitY observes the Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) during October of every  year,  Safer  Internet  Day  on  2nd  Tuesday  of  February  every  year,  Swachhta Pakhwada from 1st to 15th February of every year and Cyber Jagrookta Diwas (CJD) on  1st  Wednesday  of  every  month  by  organising  various  events  and  activities  for citizens as well as the technical cyber community in India.

******