Maharashtra Leads in Cybersecurity Control Systems – IT Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar‘Ring the Bell for Security’ Campaign Launched

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : With the rise of Digital India and digital transactions, Maharashtra has emerged as a model for digitally progressive nations worldwide. The state has taken the lead in cybersecurity control systems, said Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar.

To promote digital safety and build secure cyber practices for all, the ‘Ring the Bell for Security’ campaign, organized by the Data Security Council of India, was inaugurated today at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) by Minister Adv. Shelar.

Speaking on the occasion, Shelar noted that along with the initiatives of the Maharashtra Cyber Department, established in 2016, the state has also launched the ‘Golden Data Project.’ This project has recorded information of 12 crore authenticated citizens, eliminating the need for separate passwords or certificates for every transaction. He said this initiative will serve as a major strength for cybersecurity.

Shelar emphasized that cybersecurity is not confined to urban areas but must also reach citizens in rural and semi-urban regions. Industry, educational institutions, and government must work together to ensure this. “This is the right time to build a Digital Resilience System—industries should invest, educational institutions should design relevant curricula, the government should establish strong systems, and citizens must become self-aware,” he added.

Highlighting the growing threat landscape, Shelar said, “In today’s era, digital security in transactions, e-governance, and artificial intelligence is as crucial as border security. India has over 70 crore internet users and 120 crore mobile subscribers. In the last five years, cybercrimes have increased by 400 percent, which is alarming. On average, 702 cyber threats are reported every minute in India, and every second, 12 new cyber-attack threats emerge. Hence, establishing a robust and sustainable cybersecurity system to protect citizens has become the need of the hour.”

Cyber Hygiene Needed to Prevent ‘Cyber Covid’ – Principal Secretary Brijesh Singh

Principal Secretary and Director General of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Brijesh Singh, stressed that cybersecurity is not just the responsibility of institutions but of every individual. He urged citizens to adopt cyber hygiene practices to prevent what he termed as ‘Cyber Covid.’

“In the era of AI, data has become the most valuable asset. Everyone must ensure the safety of their personal data. Avoid oversharing, refrain from posting excessive information on social media, and stay cautious of algorithms like GeoSpy,” Singh advised.

The event was attended by SEBI Executive Director Avinash Pandey, representatives from various industries, and government officials.