Karnataka Unveils Cyber Security Policy 2024 To Combat Rising Cyber Crimes

The Karnataka Government on Thursday introduced its comprehensive Cyber Security Policy 2024, designed to address the escalating levels of cybercrimes while promoting awareness, skill development, and public-private partnerships to protect the state's digital infrastructure. The policy encompasses key areas such as education, skill-building, industry promotion, and collaborative efforts for capacity building.

Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, and Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge, presented the policy during the launch event. He emphasised Karnataka's proactive stance on cyber security, aligning the policy with national and international efforts to create a resilient and secure cyberspace for citizens and enterprises.

The policy is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on building a robust cyber security ecosystem across public, academic, industrial, startup, and governmental sectors. This part will be available in the public domain. The second part aims to strengthen the cyber security posture of the state’s IT assets, which will be kept internal for the state's IT teams and departments.

The policy has been collaboratively drafted by the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance), and the Home Department, in consultation with stakeholders from both the government and private sectors. The Indian Institute of Science, the anchor institute for the state’s K-tech Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security (CySeck), reviewed the policy.

Additionally, Kharge introduced a skilling programme in partnership with network giant CISCO. This initiative aims to train 40,000 individuals, with a special emphasis on empowering women, thereby addressing the skills gap and promoting inclusivity in the tech sector.

"This partnership with CISCO is a testament to our commitment to fostering a secure digital environment," Kharge said. "By training 40,000 individuals, we are not only addressing the skills gap but also promoting inclusivity in the tech sector.”