October 2023 marks the 'Cybersecurity Awareness Month' and the US consulate Kolkata observed it through an interactive panel discussion at American Center on October 13.
The goal of the programme was to increase cybersecurity awareness among 150 undergraduate students from Kolkata colleges and improve their cybersecurity habits and personal digital safety. The discussion also highlighted peer group practices that students can employ on an everyday basis to reduce cyber-threats.
American Center Director, Elizabeth Lee welcomed the panelists and audience
The panelists for the day were Elizabeth Lee, director of American Center; Hari Kishore Kusumakar, additional director general, and inspector general of police (cybercrime), West Bengal; Sanjay Kumar Das, WBCS (Exec), joint secretary, state CISO, WB; Bidit Mondal, DSP (cybercrime), WB; Hari Kishore Kusumakar, IPS, ADG, cyber cell, West Bengal; and Supriyo Hazra, senior editor, India Blooms News.
American Center director Elizabeth Lee called for a better understanding of cyber risks and ways to avoid them. “Vulnerabilities in technology and lack of sufficient attention to security by users provide cybercriminals with low-risk, high-reward opportunities for illicit gain in the digital ecosystem. These crimes can range from intellectual property theft to ransomware which can impact critical sectors, threaten national and economic security,” she said.
The panelists educated the students through case studies and presentations
The US consulate celebrates Cybersecurity Awareness Month every October to address everchanging crime networks and the borderless nature of diverse cybercrime challenges. “This initiative is to promote a greater understanding of cybersecurity within people and youth leaders like you, fostering a sense of personal responsibility for cybersecurity risks, and to protect life, property, and critical information,” Lee said.
Hari Kishore Kusumakar, additional director general, and inspector general of police (Cybercrime), West Bengal, shared his experiences in cybersecurity governance and law enforcement while Sanjay Kumar Das, WBCS (Exec), joint secretary, State CISO, West Bengal, spoke about the state and central government’s cybersecurity initiatives to control cyber-crime.
Bidit Mondal, DSP (cybercrime), West Bengal, shared a few cybercriminal case studies which he has investigated and resolved.
Supriyo Hazra, senior editor, India Blooms News Service, spoke about the common cyber-attacks, social engineering.
The panelists interacted with the students during the Q&A session. A Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (CS-CoE) team of the West Bengal government conducted a short quiz on cybersecurity management with the students.