India is facing a significant transformation in its digital environment.
As the country moves rapidly toward digitisation across sectors, the nature of cyber risks has evolved just as quickly. What once started with basic phishing and identity theft has now scaled into complex threats involving deepfakes, AI-led social engineering, ransomware targeting critical infrastructure, and systemic cyber abuse affecting vulnerable populations.
The sheer volume of users added to the internet every year in India has created an enormous attack surface. As of 2024, India has over 918 million internet users, with mobile data consumption averaging 24.1 GB per user per month. This growth, while empowering, also intensifies risk. In 2023 alone, there were over 1.56 million cybercrime complaints, with Delhi recording 755 cases per 100,000 population, far above the national average of 129 per 100,000. Financial frauds have caused cumulative losses of ₹10,319 crore since April 2021, but only ₹1,127 crore has been recovered—just about 11%.
In this new landscape, cyber threats are no longer just technical challenges. They have become national security concerns, social equity issues, and governance matters. The conversation must shift from just cybersecurity to a deeper, layered understanding of digital risk.
At the forefront of this change is the urgent need to empower not just law enforcement but also students, entrepreneurs, educators, and administrators with real, actionable awareness. The traditional model of digital training is outdated. Static modules and fear-based messaging have little effect on real-time risk mitigation. Today’s threats demand adaptive, context-sensitive education and strong inter-sectoral collaboration.
We must also acknowledge that technology abuse is growing rapidly across domestic, professional, and governance spheres. Stalkerware, spyware, data leaks, and coercive surveillance are no longer limited to high-profile targets. They affect students, women, senior citizens, and vulnerable communities at scale. Cybercrimes linked to social media—such as impersonation and harassment—have nearly tripled, rising from 56,000+ in 2020 to over 156,000 in 2024. In parallel, high-value frauds over ₹100,000 have quadrupled, jumping from 6,699 in FY 2023 to 29,082 in FY 2024, with total losses around ₹177.7 crore ($20 million).
India’s regulatory posture is catching up. The new data protection laws, government push toward AI regulation, and increased focus on forensic investigation are steps in the right direction. But laws without awareness and enforcement remain dormant. Building internal capacities across the system is no longer optional. It is essential.
As Cyber Safety Risk Advisors, our role is not just to intervene after an incident. It is to anticipate risk, educate stakeholders, and shape policy in a way that protects people first. Cyber safety is not a privilege. It is a fundamental right and responsibility in today’s India.
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