As part of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) organized a dynamic and insightful webinar on 24th October 2025 to promote a culture of cyber awareness, vigilance, and resilience within India’s rapidly expanding telecom ecosystem.
Themed around “Building a Phishing-Resilient and Secure Telecom Sector,” the session brought together cyber experts, telecom professionals, and policymakers to deliberate on emerging threats, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven attacks, and best practices for strengthening organizational cybersecurity.
Leadership Emphasis on Collective Responsibility
The event was graced by Ms. Sunita Chandra, Director General Telecom (DGT HQ), and Sh. Suresh Puri, Additional Director General, DGT HQ, along with senior officers from DoT HQ and DGT field units.
Addressing over 250 participants from across the telecom landscape — including Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and DoT officials — Ms. Chandra underscored the collective responsibility of every stakeholder in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure.
She highlighted that as the nation’s telecom networks become more sophisticated and interconnected, ensuring cybersecurity at every level — from user awareness to network resilience — is critical.
Sh. Puri, Addl. DG, shared updates on the Telecom-CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) readiness, a major step in enhancing India’s capability to detect, analyze, and respond to telecom-related cyber incidents. He emphasized that preparedness and proactive governance will remain at the heart of India’s cyber defense strategy.
Experts Warn Against AI and Phishing Threats
Dr. Rohit Gautam, a noted cybersecurity expert, delved into the rising menace of phishing, which he described as “the world’s most persistent and costly cyber threat.” He revealed that phishing accounts for nearly 90% of cyber breaches globally, contributing to economic losses exceeding $9.5 trillion annually.
Dr. Gautam explained how cybercriminals increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes, homograph attacks, and voice-based phishing (vishing) to deceive users and infiltrate secure systems. He shared practical insights on identifying suspicious communication and reducing human error — often the weakest link in cybersecurity chains.
Sh. Abhijit Tripathy, an industry expert, discussed the crucial role of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) frameworks in creating a sustainable cybersecurity culture. He emphasized that people, processes, and technology must operate in synergy to ensure holistic protection and accountability within organizations.
Sh. Sampat Ray, another cybersecurity specialist, shed light on mobile-based phishing and AI-enabled malware that target both individuals and enterprises. He demonstrated how fake applications and manipulated voice calls can compromise user data and highlighted preventive strategies such as user education, secure app installations, and AI-powered threat detection tools.
Building a Cyber-Resilient Future
The webinar reinforced that cybersecurity is not just a technological challenge but a shared social and organizational responsibility. It highlighted the importance of awareness, capacity-building, and readiness — all of which are vital for protecting India’s telecom infrastructure from evolving digital threats.
By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the DoT reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cyber resilience and promoting a secure, trusted, and digitally empowered telecom sector.
As India moves forward in its digital journey, initiatives like these remind us that cybersecurity begins with awareness — and resilience is built through collaboration.