Tripura hosts workshop to strengthen cybersecurity framework for State data

The workshop showcased Tripura's progress in digital governance under the Digital India initiative and focused on strengthening cyber resilience, protecting citizen data and securing the State's digital infrastructure.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha and the guidance of Information Technology Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Tripura has emerged as one of the leading digital governance performers in the North-East. The State has implemented e-Office up to the Gram Panchayat level, becoming the first State in the country to achieve such extensive paperless governance coverage.

Other major initiatives include the modernisation of the Tripura State Data Centre (TSDC), the establishment of the Tripura Security Operations Centre (TSOC), expansion of SWAN and HSWAN connectivity, implementation of BharatNet across rural areas and the rollout of several citizen-centric digital platforms and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives.

The workshop was inaugurated by Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha in the presence of Director General of Police Anurag, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R.K. Samal, Director of Information Technology Jeya Ragul Geshan B, senior government officials, representatives of NeGD, cybersecurity experts and members of the New Generation Innovation Network (NGIN).

The workshop is part of a nationwide consultative exercise being undertaken by MeitY and NeGD to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks protecting State data and digital infrastructure. The recommendations from States will contribute to a National Departmental Summit proposed to be held in August 2026.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Sinha stressed that cybersecurity has become a key governance priority as the expansion of e-governance initiatives and Digital Public Infrastructure has led to the generation and processing of large volumes of sensitive citizen and institutional data.

He said, "Therefore, institutional data and cybersecurity are key priorities. We have to ensure continuous vigilance, robust security mechanisms and capacity building to safeguard critical digital assets."

He also said cybersecurity is no longer only a technology issue but a governance imperative that requires coordinated action across departments, regular risk assessments, modernisation of legacy systems and strong data protection measures.

Speaking at the workshop, Director of Information Technology Jeya Ragul Geshan B highlighted the State's efforts to strengthen cyber resilience through the Tripura Security Operations Centre, the implementation of the Tripura Cyber Security Policy 2025 (TCSP 2.0), and upgrades to the State Data Centre and network infrastructure.

He said cybersecurity requires a coordinated approach involving continuous risk assessments, secure-by-design systems, zero-trust architecture, data protection and sustained capacity building. He expressed confidence that the workshop would generate practical recommendations to further strengthen Tripura's cyber resilience and contribute to the development of a national framework for securing State data.

The workshop provided a platform for government departments and technical stakeholders to assess the State's cybersecurity preparedness, identify institutional and technical gaps, discuss emerging cyber threats and recommend measures to strengthen the State's cybersecurity framework.

The recommendations from the workshop will be submitted to NeGD as Tripura's contribution towards the formulation of a comprehensive national framework for protecting State data. The initiative is also expected to improve inter-departmental coordination, strengthen cybersecurity awareness and support a secure and resilient digital governance ecosystem in the State.

Referring to efforts to tackle cybercrime, the Chief Secretary said, "A workshop on cybersecurity is being organised with a special focus on cybercrime. Our police force is working tirelessly to tackle cybercrime. Whenever such incidents are reported, the dedicated Cyber Crime Department responds promptly. Their team investigates every case thoroughly and takes the necessary steps to ensure effective action."

He added, "However, the most important aspect is that our citizens must remain vigilant and cautious. During last year's workshop, we distributed several informational brochures highlighting simple yet important precautions people can take to protect themselves from cyber fraud. These brochures explained how paying attention to small details can help us avoid falling into such traps."

"If we stay alert, follow basic safety measures, and remain aware of potential cyber threats, we can protect ourselves and keep our digital lives safe," he said. (ANI)