As far as the Department of Science and Technology is concerned, we have already taken several initiatives. Soon, we will establish a National Research Foundation, with 60 to 70% of its resources coming from non-government setups which shows the diminishing divide between the public and private sector. From just 350 startups, India now has around 1.75 lakh startups, demonstrating the nation’s progress and this research foundation will further help these startups, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India at PHDCCI’s National Conference On Cyber Security, AI & BLOCKCHAIN held on 8th January 2025 at PHD House, New Delhi
The Hon’ble Minister said that the above subject is of worldwide concern and added that the Hon’ble Home Minister has also laid out a comprehensive plan to combat this challenge. He further emphasized the need to move in a more holistic manner and appreciated PHDCCI for organizing such a conference.
He further said, we are an evolving society, marching step by step in tandem with other countries and moving at the same pace. He highlighted the quantum leap India has made since 2014 under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Modi, India is now on par with other nations and no longer takes as much time to adapt to new technologies. However, these advancements also bring challenges that demand our attention. While we strive to maximize the benefits of technology, we must also address its lesser-known risks. Unfortunately, those using it for the wrong reasons often gain access to it earlier, he added.
The Minister stressed that AI should serve as a means to assist our processes rather than command them and one day, we will realize the necessity of human intervention in AI. Ultimately, AI should be a tool for enhancing EODB.
For a vision of ‘Viksit Bharat, by 2047 and to achieve a 5 trillion economy we must move forward together. Technology is no longer a choice but the only option available. The challenge is to make the best use of it to enhance our economy and simplify the lives of our citizens, he concluded.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, Technology Development Board, Department of Science and Technology apprised the participants on the ignorance among common people regarding the key challenges posed by such threats. He stated that today we are in the era of Industry 4.0, which is vastly different from earlier industrial revolutions. Industry 1.0 began with the steam engine, Industry 2.0 was driven by the invention of electricity, and now AI is proving to be the most disruptive force. While earlier advancements eased our physical lives, and the introduction of computers raised concerns about job losses, the real challenge with AI is that the threats it poses are largely unknown.
He also discussed how quantum technology could play a pivotal role in ensuring secure data systems and transfer. and emphasized the importance of educating and informing people to take the right path. He added, Ironically most of these instances involve educated individuals. We must leverage our strong education system, as evidenced by India’s leap in the innovation index and being ranked third globally in the number of PhDs, he remarked.
Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, emphasized that cyber security and monitoring is the need of the hour, with the Government of India focusing strongly on addressing this issue. He highlighted that Hon’ble Home minister Amit Shah has linked cyber security directly to national security.
Mr. Jain further discussed that the Indian government is fast-tracking advancements in AI and planning to establish a strong task force in this domain. The NITI Aayog’s AI mission, dedicated to sectors like healthcare, Agriculture, Education demonstrates the government’s commitment to promote innovation and these initiatives are creating a supportive environment for technological growth he stated.
He further added that today, AI is not limited to a single industry but is driving transformation across all sectors. With the right support and policies from all stakeholders, we can provide the much-needed thrust to the Indian economy.
Shri Ashok Mutha Jain, IPS, Additional Director General, Uttar Pradesh Police explained on the stark difference between physical arrests and digital arrests and said the key difference is that regular physical arrests are done by law enforcement, while digital arrests are done by cybercriminals.
He further discussed on the professional, financial, and psychological impacts on victims resulting in a significant loss of confidence in using technology and online services.
He further highlighted the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and said that there is an urgency to understand and implement strong cybersecurity strategies.
Dr. Neha Berlia, Chair, Task Force on Digital Security, PHDCCI discussed how we are at the dawn of a digital era where technology is reshaping industries. She further discussed while these advancements bring unparalleled opportunities, they also pose significant threats.
She added, Cybercrime is projected to impact the global economy to the tune of $10.5 trillion by 2025. It is no longer just an IT issue but a critical business priority hence safeguarding systems and data is imperative.
She added that while AI is revolutionizing industries, its misuse is a growing concern and a collective action is required to address this. Moreover, the global shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals demands immediate attention. Technology like AI and blockchain must be deployed ethically to drive equitable growth, she emphasized.
Shri Vinod Karwa, Chair, MSME Committee, PHDCCI presented Vote of thanks and discussed that In today’s fast-changing world, adopting AI, blockchain, and strong cybersecurity is crucial to protect our digital systems. He also emphasized the importance of working together to tackle cyber threats and build a safe and trustworthy digital environment.
Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI discussed the interconnectedness of the world and how technology is making life easier for everyone.
He added that technically, the world has become a web and we are living in a world where everything is connected, everything is a node. There was a time when we used to keep our money in lockers, but today money is digital, and assets such as gold are also in digital form. As technology evolves, cybercrimes are also growing, and it is important for us to look into this and protect our digital assets.
He emphasized the need for strong security measures to protect critical infrastructure, information, and individual identities, and discussed how generative AI can play a significant role in this. By harnessing the transformative power of AI and blockchain, we can build a foundation of trust, resilience and we must act now, he concluded.
Advocate Anuj Agarwal, Chairman, Centre for Research on Cyber Crime and Cyber Law stated that where there is money, there will be criminals. Hence, Cybercrime is becoming real, and cybersecurity is now a basic necessity.
Mr. Agarwal further discussed that for industries questioning why they should spend money on this, the answer is simple — everything in your organization, from financial data to administrative data, is stored digitally hence it is imperative for you to assess the risks and follow the necessary processes.
He further explained that under the DPDP Act, it is mandated that privacy must be designed into systems otherwise, organizations could face penalties of up to ₹250 crore. He advised individuals to ensure personal cybersecurity, OTP is very critical and advised to not share it with anyone, and avoid clicking on unverified links.