India is undergoing a sweeping digital transformation from UPI-driven cashless payments and online banking to the rise of telemedicine, e-governance apps, and smart city tech. This wave isn’t just about convenience or progress; it’s the cornerstone of India’s vision to become a $5 trillion economy. As digital adoption accelerates, however, the threat landscape grows more complex, and cybersecurity is now a boardroom problem, not an afterthought.
India’s evolving cybersecurity challenges
According to the “India Cyber Threat Report 2025,” over 369 million cybersecurity incidents were recorded last year, translating to roughly 11 attacks every second. Yet, only about 4% of Indian businesses have implemented mature cybersecurity frameworks; more than half are still just starting their security journeys. Many incidents go unreported because of reputational fears or regulatory ambiguity, leaving not only individual organizations, but the entire ecosystem at risk. India’s vast digital footprint, with everything from IT giants and MSMEs to government portals and critical infrastructure, makes the country a tempting target for sophisticated threat actors. Today’s cybercriminals deploy AI-powered attacks that increase both the financial and reputational damage of breaches. The need for robust cyber resilience grows by the day.
Navigating the Indian regulatory maze
In response to this growing threat, India’s regulatory landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. Key mandates, such as the CERT-In guidelines (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) and the DPDP (Digital Personal Data Protection) Act, along with sectoral compliance frameworks from bodies like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), are compelling organizations to enhance their security posture.
Three compliance facts every Indian organization must know
- CERT-In mandates that all cybersecurity incidents be reported within six hours. From July 2025, annual third-party cyber audits become mandatory for any entity operating digital infrastructure, using rigorous, standardized frameworks that cover everything from code review and cloud security to AI systems.The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) act, enacted in July 2024, mandates strict controls on personal data. Businesses must erase personal data typically within three years of the last user touchpoint. Fines for non-compliance can reach INR 250 crore. The act applies to all digital data processed in India, including by foreign entities handling Indian data.
The SEBI Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Framework (CSCRF) mandates that regulated entities must appoint a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). This individual is responsible for overseeing the implementation and effectiveness of cybersecurity controls within the organization.
While compliance brings structure, true cyber resilience means going beyond checking regulatory boxes. Organizations must proactively anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to cyber threats.
Four workforce security pillars for a resilient digital India
Resilience depends on embedding security at every level from employees to infrastructure. Here are the four keystones organizations should prioritize.
A secure browser
Browsers are the front door for most office work and an easy target for attackers. A secure browser blocks trackers, stops surveillance attempts, and neutralizes malicious scripts in real time. Taking it further, these browsers use machine learning to detect phishing, shut crypto-mining malware, and even block malicious ads protecting employees before threats reach them.
Workforce Password Management (WPM)
Passwords remain the weakest link in security chains. A workforce password manager houses all credentials and other confidential information in a centralized, encrypted vault using zero-knowledge architecture and robust AES-256 encryption, so organizations can shield their most sensitive data from prying eyes.
Automated password generators ensure that all passwords are strong, unique, and policy-compliant, relieving employees of the mental burden to create or remember complex credentials. Role-based sharing limits access to what’s relevant for each employee, shrinking the risk surface. Real-time security alerts and dark-web monitoring enable organizations to spot and respond to risks before they escalate.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of protection by verifying user identities through multiple methods. Combining knowledge-based factors like passwords with possession-based elements, such as mobile devices or biometrics, drastically lowers the success rate of unauthorized access attempts. Even if credentials are stolen, MFA acts as a formidable barrier, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Effective Identity and Access Management acts as the backbone of any strong cybersecurity strategy, especially for organizations managing remote and diverse teams. These solutions provide a single dashboard to manage users’ access to applications, devices, and networks. With fine-grained controls, each team member only has access to what’s essential to them. IAM solutions have evolved beyond just granting access; it continuously monitors behavior for anomalies, quickly flagging insider threats and helping sustain compliance as organizations scale.
Cyber resilience is business resilience
For India’s digital economy to thrive, cybersecurity must be woven into every aspect of the workforce experience. By combining privacy-centric browsing, robust password management, mandatory MFA, and smart IAM solutions, Indian organizations can confidently innovate and grow even as threats multiply.
Building a secure digital India means more than just preventing breaches. It’s about preserving trust, supporting seamless business operations, and ensuring that the nation’s digital ambitions become reality.
(The views expressed herein are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the position of ET LegalWorld)
