At the Payment Security Summit & Awards India 2025 held in Mumbai, Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant, Chairman of the Cyber Security Association of India, emphasized the need for India to combat cyber crime effectively. With India being ranked as the second most cyber attacked country in the world and incurring significant losses due to cyber crime, the urgency to address this issue has never been greater.
The event brought together over 350 senior leaders from various sectors including cybersecurity, IT, compliance, BFSI, Retail/Ecommerce, Insurance, Travel & Tourism to discuss payment security. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant highlighted the lack of awareness as a major contributing factor to the rise in cyber crime incidents. He stressed the importance of government intervention, drawing parallels to the successful polio eradication campaign led by Amitabh Bachchan in the past.
Dr. Pant emphasized the need to start cyber security awareness at the school level, considering the increasing use of smart devices by children for recreational and educational purposes. He pointed out that cyber criminals target not only the younger generation but also pensioners in tier 2 and tier 3 cities across the country. According to him, the entire society is at risk, and anyone with a smartphone or smart device is a potential target.
In addition to government initiatives, Dr. Pant suggested leveraging films and series to raise awareness about cyber security. He mentioned watching a series on Netflix called Zero Day, which featured a cyber attack in a whole country in its very first episode. However, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive campaign to educate people of all ages about the risks of cyber crime.
Dr. Pant also addressed the issue of digital harassment and the use of cyber psychology by criminals to instill fear in their victims. He called for aggressive awareness campaigns and stricter punishments to deter cyber criminals and protect individuals from such attacks.
The event attracted key figures from the payment security and cybercrime domain, with insightful panel discussions, keynote sessions, and workshops. Chief Guest Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MP (Chevelle, Telangana), Engineer, and Innovator, spoke about the importance of addressing cyber fraud and safeguarding financial security in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In conclusion, Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant’s insights at the Payment Security Summit & Awards India 2025 shed light on the pressing need for a collective effort to combat cyber crime in India. With innovative approaches and collaborative initiatives, India can strengthen its defenses against cyber threats and protect its citizens from the growing menace of cyber crime.