Introduction

In response to the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and increasing threats to national digital assets, the Quality Council of India (QCI), through its Project Analysis & Documentation Division (PADD), launched a comprehensive initiative to raise cybersecurity awareness among stakeholders in India’s critical sector ecosystem. This national-level initiative was conducted in collaboration with the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), a specialized unit functioning under the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The initiative aligns with the country’s overarching goal of safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), which forms the foundation of essential services such as finance, energy, healthcare, transport, and public utilities.

To ensure effective delivery and reach, QCI appointed the CyberPeace Foundation as the National Facilitator for the program. The CyberPeace Foundation, with its extensive experience in cybersecurity advocacy, awareness, and grassroots digital safety interventions, was tasked with mobilizing stakeholders, executing the training program, and ensuring seamless delivery of the program across selected cities. This initiative was designed to bring together policy, practice, and public engagement in cybersecurity, creating a safe and resilient digital ecosystem for entities vital to India’s national interests.

Aim and Objectives

The primary aim of the Cybersecurity Awareness Program was to strengthen India’s cyber defence by educating and empowering professionals and organizations operating within the critical sectors. With the exponential growth of cyber threats targeting critical information infrastructure, there was an urgent need to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.

The key objectives of the program were to sensitize stakeholders to the risks posed by cyber threats, promote best practices in cyber hygiene, introduce participants to the national cybersecurity standards and frameworks, and equip them with practical knowledge to respond effectively to cyber incidents. By doing so, the initiative sought to create a network of informed professionals capable of acting as cybersecurity ambassadors within their respective sectors.

CyberPeace Foundation’s Role

CyberPeace Foundation was entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating the implementation of Cybersecurity Awareness Programs across India. As the National Facilitator, CyberPeace undertook a comprehensive role that included expert mobilization, training logistics, participant coordination, coordination with educational institutions, on-site execution and expertise. 

CyberPeace Foundation deployed a team of experienced trainers and domain experts to conduct interactive sessions on cybersecurity principles, threat landscapes, risk mitigation techniques, and policy frameworks. CyberPeace also coordinated closely with QCI’s representatives and local institutional partners to ensure that each session was tailored to the unique needs of the region and its attending organizations. CyberPeace ensured that all programs were in line with the ethical standards, confidentiality clauses, and performance expectations outlined by QCI.

Program Implementation

The Cybersecurity Awareness Programs were held across ten strategic cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Lucknow, Bhopal, Guwahati, and Chandigarh. The programs were conducted in March 2025 and saw the participation of over 350 individuals across 10 locations representing a cross-section of government departments, regulatory authorities, public utilities, academia and private sector entities engaged in critical services.

Each location hosted intensive, three-day workshops that combined theory with real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and scenario-based learning. Sessions covered topics such as cyber threat intelligence, inspection schemes for IT and ICS infrastructure, the Conformity Assessment Framework for CII, personnel certification programs (CyberPros), and accreditation mechanisms for cybersecurity consultancy and training bodies. The format encouraged active participation, peer learning, and direct interaction with subject matter experts.

Detailed Program Schedule

To ensure broad regional engagement and targeted outreach to critical sector stakeholders, the Cybersecurity Awareness Programs were conducted in ten strategically selected cities across the country. Each session was jointly coordinated by a representative from the Quality Council of India’s Project Analysis & Documentation Division (PADD), a qualified Technical Expert (TE) with domain expertise in cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection, and an on-ground representative from the CyberPeace Foundation, who facilitated local execution and stakeholder coordination.

Outcomes and Impact

The key outcomes include:

• Increased awareness among stakeholders of threats specific to CIIs.
• Improved readiness of participating organizations to handle cyber incidents.
• Stronger alignment with NCIIPC’s Conformity Assessment Framework (CAF).
• Creation of a knowledge-sharing network of cyber-aware professionals.
• Positive participant feedback requesting continued engagement and advanced training.

The initiative had a far-reaching impact, both in terms of scale and depth. Participants across all ten cities reported an increased understanding of cybersecurity risks, greater confidence in managing cyber incidents, and a better appreciation for the national policies and frameworks designed to protect CII. Several organizations expressed interest in developing internal cybersecurity teams and requested continued training support from the Quality Council of India and CyberPeace Foundation.

Feedback collected after each session consistently highlighted the quality of content, relevance of case studies, and the approachable style of the trainers. Many participants noted that this was their first structured exposure to cybersecurity practices tailored specifically for critical infrastructure contexts. The overall outcome was not only an increase in knowledge but also a cultural shift toward proactive security thinking.

‍