Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, said it is estimated that between January-September 2024 cyber financial fraud in Tamil Nadu accounted for losses of over ₹ 1,100 crore.
“These numbers serve as a wake up call, reminding us of the immense responsibility we all bear as policy makers and protectors of digital trust,” he said addressing at the 27th Edition of the Association of Anti-Virus Asia Researchers (AVAR) Global Cybersecurity Summit.
“In today’s interconnected world cybersecurity is not merely a technical concern. It is a fundamental pillar of national security, economic stability and societal trust,” Mr. Thiaga Rajan said addressing the summit virtually.
“With 79 million cyber attacks recorded in India in 2023, our nation ranks third globally. The average cost of a data breach in India is now over $2.3 million, underscoring the growing stakes as we advance in India’s digital transformation journey. Tamil Nadu is not immune to these challenges,” he said.
“To address these challenges, Tamil Nadu has taken decisive and innovative steps. Our cyber security policy 2.0. launched earlier this year, re-enforces our commitment to a secured digital ecosystem,” Mr. Thiaga Rajan said.
The policy focuses on three pillars. One, building resilient infrastructure. Leveraging AI and automation inspired by global findings that these technologies can reduce the breach cost by an average of over $2 million. Two on capacity building. Establishing a cybersecurity training centre to bridge the skills gap with a vision to empower Tamil Nadu’s workforce to be at the forefront of global cybersecurity expertise, he said.
Three collaborative governance. Promoting partnership between the public sector, private enterprises and international allies to strengthen our cyber defence, Mr. Thiaga Rajan said.
As a State, Tamil Nadu has always prioritized digital safety, for fostering an environment conducive to innovation, he noted.
“Our government has spearheaded projects like the Nambikai Inaiyam, the state’s blockchain backbone, through the Tamil Nadu e-governance agency, which is aimed at ensuring that technology empowers every citizen without compromising the security,” Mr. Thiaga Rajan said.
“Tamil Nadu stands ready to collaborate with global partners to build a secure, inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem. In cybersecurity isolation is not an option. Collaboration is the cornerstone of resilience,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Kumar Jayanth, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu said the State is on the way to create its own cybersecurity teams which will handle various aspects of cybersecurity in a much better way.
Published – December 06, 2024 01:02 am IST
