NEW DELHI: NIIT Foundation and Cisco on Thursday announced the launch of Cyber Suraksha Plus, an expanded phase of their joint cybersecurity education initiative aimed at training 27 lakh Indians in AI- and cloud-driven cybersecurity by 2028.
Since 2022, the partnership has trained over 10 lakh learners across 27 states and five union territories, with nearly 40% being women. More than 7,000 youth have secured jobs in cybersecurity roles. The program also reached senior citizens, persons with disabilities, frontline workers, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to promote safer digital practices.
“Cybersecurity is the cornerstone of digital trust,” said Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, Cisco Systems, India & ASEAN. “As countries across the Global South digitize, initiatives like Cyber Suraksha Plus will build the capacity needed for a safer, resilient digital future.”
Sapna Moudgil, CEO of NIIT Foundation, said the initiative aims to make digital safety a “social equalizer,” bringing cybersecurity awareness and job-linked learning to those often left behind in the digital transition.
The launch follows the India Cyber Threat Report 2025, which reported a rise in cybercrime cases to 22.68 lakh in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for national cyber resilience.
Cyber Suraksha Plus supports the government’s vision of a Viksit evam Cyber Surakshit Bharat through inclusive digital skilling and capacity building.
