On June 28, 2025, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) organized a Cyber Security Awareness Workshop at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. This initiative marked a strong step toward building digital resilience within the governance ecosystem.
Why Cyber Awareness Is Vital
As our work becomes increasingly digital, data safety and cyber hygiene have become vital. Speaking at the workshop, Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, WCD Ministry, highlighted the need for vigilance. “Government functionaries handle sensitive data. We must stay informed and cautious,” he emphasized.
Participants and Key Stakeholders
Officials from the Ministry and its autonomous bodies attended the session. These included the National Commission for Women (NCW), Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Savitribai Phule National Institute for Women and Child Development.
Expert Insights from Cybersecurity Leaders
The workshop featured sessions by top cybersecurity experts:
- Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) highlighted rising cyber threats.
- CERT-In discussed national cyber policies and incident response protocols.
- PwC India demonstrated real-world hacks and stressed the importance of digital vigilance.
The sessions covered key topics like phishing attacks, portal security, and data protection practices. Participants were encouraged to adopt cybersecurity as a daily practice—not a one-time fix.
Next Phase: Reaching the Frontlines
This was just the beginning. The Ministry will now take the initiative to the field level. Frontline workers, including Anganwadi staff and state-level officials, will receive similar training. The goal is to embed cyber safety into every layer of governance and service delivery.
Technology at the Heart of WCD Initiatives
Over the years, the Ministry has championed the use of technology for inclusive governance. Some key programs include:
- Poshan Tracker — A digital dashboard across 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres benefiting 10 crore individuals.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana — Fully paperless and Aadhaar-enabled with real-time grievance redressal.
- SHe-Box, Mission Shakti Portal, and Mission Vatsalya Portal — Ensuring online access to safety, grievance, and legal support services.
With increasing reliance on digital tools, safeguarding systems from cyber threats is more important than ever. This workshop reinforced that knowledge and awareness are key to building trust and delivering transparent governance.
A Step Toward Viksit Bharat
As India moves forward in its Amrit Kaal, the Ministry is focused on strengthening the digital backbone of its services. This workshop is a milestone in building a safer and smarter governance system, helping India progress toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
