Issues of Cyber Security in India

Lack of Skilled Workforce: At present, India has a massive skill shortage in the cybersecurity industry. Moreover, the constant integration of embryonic technologies (including cloud computing, IoT, and so on) in wide-ranging processes is gradually leaving the conventional cybersecurity skills redundant. According to IBM, the current requirement of cybersecurity professionals is pegged at 3 million, whereas, the cybersecurity workforce is less than 0.1 million in India. And this is still the tip of the iceberg.

• Lack of Hands-on Academic Training: There is a lack of infrastructure in cybersecurity training in India. Many Indian institutes have launched courses in cybersecurity. But most of these courses are theoretical, based on presentations. These don’t expose candidates to practical real-world aspects of cybersecurity and the underlying dynamics - which could radically differ from one to another.
• Lucrative Career Opportunities: Cybersecurity offers a promising avenue for them to create a magnificent career for themselves. Understanding this, young professionals are also looking towards the sector in a good light. Regardless of the reasons for the increase in demand, the pressing problem is a shortage of people trained and capable enough to fill the growing number of cybersecurity roles.
• The Number of Security Incidents Increases due to Digitisation: The Digital India initiative is bringing Indians under the umbrella of digital technologies. However, first-time users are vulnerable to wide-ranging cyber threats both at personal and organizational levels. As per a report by PwC, Indian organizations have experienced 117% more incidents as compared to the previous year, increasing more than two times from 2,895 incidents to 6,284 incidents a year. This figure contrasts the global growth of cyberattack which has increased by a mere 39% over the previous year.
• Need to Gear Up for the Internet of Things (IoT) & Critical Infrastructures: The ecosystem of Internet-connected devices, operational tools, and critical infrastructures is poised to soar in the upcoming years. As IoT continues to expand, critical infrastructures such as power, oil and gas, water treatment systems, and transportation are vital for national survival.