India’s Cybersecurity Future: The Success of Cisco and NIIT Foundation
As India accelerates its digital growth, the possibilities are vast — but so are the threats. In just the first four months of 2024, cybercrime caused losses of more than ₹1,750 crore. At the same time, the country needs over one million cybersecurity professionals but currently employs less than half that figure. This makes it essential not only to educate citizens about safe online practices, but also to build the skilled cybersecurity workforce the nation urgently requires.
This need forms the core of the collaboration between Cisco and the NIIT Foundation, an Indian nonprofit dedicated to education and skill development. Together, the two organizations have positively impacted 50 million people across the country. Since 2008, they have worked side by side on initiatives aimed at narrowing the digital divide, particularly through youth-focused training programs. In 2022, they expanded this partnership with the launch of Cyber Suraksha — a flagship program designed to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and skills nationwide.
A comprehensive approach to cyber safety
Aligned with Cisco’s broader strategy of using technology and partnerships to address key challenges in education and economic growth, Cyber Suraksha seeks to expand public understanding of cyber safety while preparing young people for careers in cybersecurity. The initiative, created in response to India’s escalating digital risks, is built around three core learning tracks:
This need forms the core of the collaboration between Cisco and the NIIT Foundation, an Indian nonprofit dedicated to education and skill development. Together, the two organizations have positively impacted 50 million people across the country. Since 2008, they have worked side by side on initiatives aimed at narrowing the digital divide, particularly through youth-focused training programs. In 2022, they expanded this partnership with the launch of Cyber Suraksha — a flagship program designed to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and skills nationwide.
A comprehensive approach to cyber safety
Aligned with Cisco’s broader strategy of using technology and partnerships to address key challenges in education and economic growth, Cyber Suraksha seeks to expand public understanding of cyber safety while preparing young people for careers in cybersecurity. The initiative, created in response to India’s escalating digital risks, is built around three core learning tracks:
- Cyber Awareness: A 20-hour introductory course for individuals aged 13 and above, covering personal online safety and protection from risks like identity theft, bullying, and online fraud.
- Cyber Smart: An advanced module for college students aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field.
- Cyber Workforce: A job-oriented program designed to prepare learners for employment in cybersecurity roles.
Cyber Suraksha’s measurable impact
During its three-year grant cycle (2022–2025), Cyber Suraksha set out to train one million people in cybersecurity skills and awareness. By March 2025, the initiative had not only met but surpassed this goal — underscoring the program’s relevance, accessibility, and effectiveness.
The program’s reach has been deeply inclusive, extending to communities traditionally overlooked in tech education. With over 40% of participants being women, Cyber Suraksha is helping shift representation in a field where women remain globally underrepresented. Additionally, individuals who secured jobs after completing the program reported an average 39% increase in household income over three years, demonstrating how digital and cybersecurity skills can drive economic mobility.
Beyond statistics, the program’s real impact shines through personal stories. Rehana, a 31-year-old trans woman and community advocate from New Delhi, realized that her community was particularly vulnerable to cyber threats due to limited digital awareness. “Cyber Suraksha helped me understand and tackle cyber risks,” she said. Through mentoring and hands-on training, she built vital skills and now works to promote online safety within her community.
Personal experiences with cyber fraud led both Apurba, a 25-year-old computer applications graduate from rural West Bengal, and Anand, a 50-year-old yoga instructor from Delhi, to enroll in the program. Each had been targeted by scams ranging from unauthorized banking activity to email breaches. “The courses gave me strong theoretical and practical knowledge,” Apurba noted, crediting the program for launching his cybersecurity career. Anand echoed the sentiment: “Cyber Suraksha greatly improved my understanding of fraud techniques and how to avoid them.” Today, Apurba works in cybersecurity, while Anand helps spread cyber safety awareness in his community.
Partnerships that strengthen India’s cybersecurity ecosystem
Cyber Suraksha’s achievements reflect the power of the Cisco–NIIT Foundation partnership. Together, they have reached underserved groups — from young people in rural areas to older adults — enabling them to gain digital skills that support long-term livelihoods.
Scaling the impact required extensive collaboration: more than 500 colleges, 129 NGOs, and over 3,000 government schools across 27 states and five union territories played a vital role in delivering training at the grassroots level. The program also leveraged digital platforms for project management, analytics, and AI-powered learning to personalize training and ensure agility. By combining NIIT Foundation’s community connections with Cisco’s technological expertise, the partnership achieved far greater impact than either could have accomplished alone.
Building a cyber-resilient India for the future
The journey continues. Building on Cyber Suraksha’s momentum, Cisco and NIIT Foundation are introducing Cyber Suraksha Plus, which aims to reach an additional 2.7 million learners over the next three years. The initiative will continue prioritizing accessibility and gender inclusion — with a goal of at least 40% female participation — while expanding into AI-related skill development alongside cybersecurity.
Through instructor-led programs, train-the-trainer models, and self-paced digital platforms such as the Learn@NIITFoundation app, the next phase will extend deeper into remote and marginalized communities. Strengthened collaborations with government bodies, academic institutions, and local organizations will help ensure long-term, scalable delivery.
The experiences of Rehana, Apurba, Anand, and a million others illustrate what becomes possible when technology, education, and collaboration unite. As Cisco and the NIIT Foundation move forward, they are not only developing cybersecurity talent — they are opening doors to new opportunities and contributing to a safer digital future for all of India.
During its three-year grant cycle (2022–2025), Cyber Suraksha set out to train one million people in cybersecurity skills and awareness. By March 2025, the initiative had not only met but surpassed this goal — underscoring the program’s relevance, accessibility, and effectiveness.
The program’s reach has been deeply inclusive, extending to communities traditionally overlooked in tech education. With over 40% of participants being women, Cyber Suraksha is helping shift representation in a field where women remain globally underrepresented. Additionally, individuals who secured jobs after completing the program reported an average 39% increase in household income over three years, demonstrating how digital and cybersecurity skills can drive economic mobility.
Beyond statistics, the program’s real impact shines through personal stories. Rehana, a 31-year-old trans woman and community advocate from New Delhi, realized that her community was particularly vulnerable to cyber threats due to limited digital awareness. “Cyber Suraksha helped me understand and tackle cyber risks,” she said. Through mentoring and hands-on training, she built vital skills and now works to promote online safety within her community.
Personal experiences with cyber fraud led both Apurba, a 25-year-old computer applications graduate from rural West Bengal, and Anand, a 50-year-old yoga instructor from Delhi, to enroll in the program. Each had been targeted by scams ranging from unauthorized banking activity to email breaches. “The courses gave me strong theoretical and practical knowledge,” Apurba noted, crediting the program for launching his cybersecurity career. Anand echoed the sentiment: “Cyber Suraksha greatly improved my understanding of fraud techniques and how to avoid them.” Today, Apurba works in cybersecurity, while Anand helps spread cyber safety awareness in his community.
Partnerships that strengthen India’s cybersecurity ecosystem
Cyber Suraksha’s achievements reflect the power of the Cisco–NIIT Foundation partnership. Together, they have reached underserved groups — from young people in rural areas to older adults — enabling them to gain digital skills that support long-term livelihoods.
Scaling the impact required extensive collaboration: more than 500 colleges, 129 NGOs, and over 3,000 government schools across 27 states and five union territories played a vital role in delivering training at the grassroots level. The program also leveraged digital platforms for project management, analytics, and AI-powered learning to personalize training and ensure agility. By combining NIIT Foundation’s community connections with Cisco’s technological expertise, the partnership achieved far greater impact than either could have accomplished alone.
Building a cyber-resilient India for the future
The journey continues. Building on Cyber Suraksha’s momentum, Cisco and NIIT Foundation are introducing Cyber Suraksha Plus, which aims to reach an additional 2.7 million learners over the next three years. The initiative will continue prioritizing accessibility and gender inclusion — with a goal of at least 40% female participation — while expanding into AI-related skill development alongside cybersecurity.
Through instructor-led programs, train-the-trainer models, and self-paced digital platforms such as the Learn@NIITFoundation app, the next phase will extend deeper into remote and marginalized communities. Strengthened collaborations with government bodies, academic institutions, and local organizations will help ensure long-term, scalable delivery.
The experiences of Rehana, Apurba, Anand, and a million others illustrate what becomes possible when technology, education, and collaboration unite. As Cisco and the NIIT Foundation move forward, they are not only developing cybersecurity talent — they are opening doors to new opportunities and contributing to a safer digital future for all of India.
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