India is strengthening its cyber defence framework as artificial intelligence (AI) makes cyberattacks faster, more sophisticated and harder to detect.
The government has launched a fresh nationwide cyber defence drive, directing ministries, regulators and key sectors to improve their preparedness through coordinated security exercises, tighter vulnerability management and faster response systems.
The progress comes as AI tools increasingly allow cyber criminals to locate weaknesses & automate attacks at scale. This has prompted authorities to reinforce digital resilience across public and private infrastructure.
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Government Rolls Out Coordinated Cyber Security Exercises
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), working with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), has initiated sector-wide cyber security exercises covering government departments, regulators and operators of important infrastructure.
The exercises are designed to test how organisations detect, respond to and recover from simulated cyber incidents.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen coordination between agencies, identify security gaps and improve incident response before real-world attacks occur.
The government has also urged organisations to regularly assess their cyber readiness, maintain updated recovery plans and adopt a “Secure by Design” approach, ensuring security is built into digital systems from the outset rather than added later.
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AI Changing the Cyber Threat Landscape
Officials warned that generative AI is rapidly lowering the barriers for cybercriminals by helping them discover software vulnerabilities, create convincing phishing campaigns and automate attacks within minutes.
To counter these risks, the government has asked ministries, state governments and regulators to immediately review their cybersecurity posture and implement CERT-In’s recommendations. Technology vendors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have also been directed to strengthen product security and routinely identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Alongside technical safeguards, MeitY stressed that cyber awareness among employees remains equally important, noting that human error is one of the biggest reasons behind such security breaches. Structured training programmes and regular cyber drills will therefore remain central to India’s cyber resilience strategy.
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Building Long-Term Cyber Resilience
The latest measures complement the government’s broader IndiaAI Mission, which includes a dedicated Safe & Trusted AI pillar focused on developing responsible and secure AI systems. The programme currently supports 13 Responsible AI projects, 58 AI Centres of Excellence and 27 India Data & AI Labs to promote trustworthy AI innovation while addressing emerging risks.
With AI transforming both cyber attacks and cyber defence, the government is placing greater emphasis on continuous monitoring, faster patch management and stronger collaboration between public agencies and industry.
As AI reshapes the cyber security landscape, organisations that invest in proactive defence, skilled workforces and regular security testing are likely to be better positioned against the next generation of digital threats.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
