US Consulate sensitises entrepreneurs on cyber crime

KOHIMA — With an objective to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge on how to identify and combat cyber security threat, the US Consulate General, Kolkata, and Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS), in collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), conducted a workshop on cyber security in Kohima on Thursday.

The event was its third phase on ‘Cyber safe east India,’ a workshop on cyber security for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and women entrepreneurs held across the eastern states of India including the Northeast, which culminated on Thursday.

More than 50 entrepreneurs attended the one-day workshop held at YouthNet head office in Kohima.

Speaking at the programme, senior programme officer of CUTS International, Sumanta Biswas, stated that the cyber security programme, supported by the US Consulate General Kolkata, was started three years back. He informed that they have covered all the eastern states including Bihar, Jharakhand and NE states over the years.

He stressed on the importance of understanding fundamentals of cyber security, particularly among the entrepreneurs.

“The workshop would equip the entrepreneurs with the basic understanding of the possible ways of cyber-attacks and methods to combat the threats,” he said adding that the training would help the entrepreneurs to combat at least 70 percent of the cyber-attacks.

Abhishek Mishra, additional director of Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Government of India, informed that STPI is a growing industry. He, however, stated that the contribution from Nagaland in exporting computer software was zero and urged the people to come out and start exporting software. 

Informing that there are over 60 STPI in India including eight in northeast India, he stated that STPI centre is working to build SME networks across the country and provide opportunities to SMEs to promote them globally.

“The timely initiative by CUTS International and YouthNet to educate SMEs on cyber security will surely help SMEs to avoid cyber betrayal,” Mishra said.

Observing that cyber security is the lowest priority for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) that could bring vulnerability to the entire ecosystem of the SME sector, he called upon the entrepreneurs to prioritise and counter cyber threats and also to be cautious of what they post online.

Juan Clar, deputy director of American centre and assistant public affairs officer at US Consulate General, Kolkata said, “Cyber security is one of the top challenges that countries, companies and individuals face in the twenty-first century. It is very important that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds know how to identify and mitigate cyber security risk.”

He further added that “US and India have become closer strategic partners in many areas and cyber security is one of them.”

The trainers of the workshop were Saket Kumar Jha, scientist-D at C-DAC Patna, and Sonal Kamal, knowledge associate and OSD (R and D) at C-DAC Patna.

Director of YouthNet, Nuneseno Chase, and team member of Startup Nagaland and assistant director of Industries and Commerce, Lhoushevikho Lhoushe, also spoke during the event.