In the modern world, resilience — not defense — is the ultimate form of security.
By – Saiprasad Iyer, MD & CEO, Techsec Digital Global Pvt Ltd
In today’s hyperconnected world, the battleground has shifted from land, air, and sea to cyberspace. Modern cyberattacks are no longer isolated acts of disruption — they are well-planned, profit-driven, and often geopolitically motivated operations capable of crippling entire sectors. India, as one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, stands both as a rising technology powerhouse and a prime target. Our increasing digital footprint — from financial inclusion to smart governance — also means increased exposure to cyber risk.
Gone are the days when threats came from amateur hackers operating from dark basements. Today’s attackers are well-funded syndicates leveraging automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and deepfake technologies to infiltrate systems undetected.
According to the Global Threat Report, over 75% of modern breaches exploit stolen credentials rather than malware. This marks a paradigm shift: attackers now log in rather than break in.
India has seen a steep rise in such incidents, from ransomware hitting healthcare institutions and banks to supply chain attacks targeting logistics and manufacturing sectors. CERT-In reports a consistent double-digit annual growth in cyber incidents, underlining an urgent need to evolve from traditional defences to real-time resilience.
Many organizations still rely on perimeter-based security — firewalls, antivirus tools, and legacy monitoring systems — assuming a fixed boundary around their networks. But in an age of cloud computing, IoT/OT ecosystems, and hybrid work, that perimeter no longer exists.
Modern attackers exploit weak authentication, unpatched systems, and unmonitored third-party connections. Without real-time visibility and contextual awareness, even enterprises with advanced tools remain vulnerable to lateral movement, insider threats, and zero-day exploits.
The result is a dangerous “security illusion” — confidence in outdated controls while attackers quietly persist within the network for months.
To confront these evolving threats, India’s organizations must transition from a reactive stance to a proactive, intelligence-driven cybersecurity model. Below are nine key pillars of modern cyber defense:
With initiatives like Digital India, DPDPA 2023, and rapid fintech expansion, the stakes have never been higher. Cybersecurity must be viewed not just as a compliance checkbox but as a strategic national capability.
Government and private sector collaboration, investment in indigenous cybersecurity technology, and industry-wide threat intelligence sharing can transform India from a high-risk target to a global leader in cyber resilience.
Moreover, cybersecurity awareness must reach beyond IT departments — extending to boardrooms, policymakers, and everyday citizens. Just as financial literacy became a national movement, cyber literacy must follow.
Cyberattacks are no longer a question of “if” but “when.” To survive and thrive in this new age, India must invest in automation, intelligence, and skill development. Every organization — from startups to public sector enterprises — must embed cybersecurity into its DNA.
The digital revolution promises progress, but only if it’s protected. Building a resilient cyber ecosystem is not a one-time project; it’s an ongoing commitment to vigilance, adaptability, and innovation.
In the modern world, resilience — not defense — is the ultimate form of security.
