Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap: Empowering Young Indians for a Safer Digital Future

52 % of Indians don’t know how to protect themselves from cybercrimes: Steps to be taken to tackle the same -Presly Mark Mathai  The Survey According to the 2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report1, research was conducted online by The Harris Poll across 10 countries, which included India. The survey basically sought to gauge information regarding cybersafety among the public across the world. The statistics were eye opening and have raised many pertinent issues before us.  

Key highlights of the survey- The pandemic led to an increase in the number of people who were now spending more time online and further increased the shift to digital modes of payment 66% of Indians responded that “I am more worried than ever about being the victim of cybercrime”  52% of Indians responded that “I feel that I don't know how to protect myself from cybercrime”  63 % of Indians responded that “I feel more vulnerable to cybercrime than they agree did before the COVID-19 pandemic began”  Out of 146.6 million people who have ever faced a cybercrime in India, 119.8 million incidents occurred in the year 2020-21.  These are all earlier statistics till the year 2020-21. It would not be far-fetched to guess that this number would have grown exponentially since then.  

Why is this problem happening? We live in a society which has developed quite faster than we have been able to grasp and grab hold of. Most Indians aren’t taught the basics of cybersecurity and digital privacy i our educational institutions.   

What are the possible consequences of this lack of cybersecurity awareness? Phishing Credit frauds Online personification  Financial crimes Leakage of personal information  

How can it be rectified? Some possible ways are awareness of the ways in which cybercrimes can take place are as follows- 
Keeping Privacy Hygiene at every possible opportunity: From a young age, we have learnt to maintain physical hygiene and as the years progressed, we have been encouraged to maintain digital hygiene. On the same lines there is a growing need to keep privacy hygiene in our day-to-day lives to ensure the safety and security of our personal data.  
Sharing only what is required In many scenarios of daily life, one can observe that organizations procure data they do not need for the intended purpose of data collection.  Don’t give access to applications to data that is not required for the functioning of that application.  While encountering a cookie consent banner only accept the Strictly Necessary Cookies and opting for the Reject All option.  
Using security measures on devices such as anti-virus and regular software updates It is necessary to ensure that individuals should utilise safety features such as anti-virus and software updates.   
Training and awareness at educational, community and social institutions It is said that it is better to catch them young! Educational institutions are the ideal places where young children could be given the necessary awareness through regular trainings and conferences on the use of their data especially while they are online. Children are the most at risk due to unscrupulous elements on the internet.  

Conclusion 

As the digital age continues to reshape how we live and interact, the privacy deficit among young Indians poses a significant challenge. It is essential that there is an attempt and effort in a collective manner from educational institutions, government bodies, tech companies, and individuals. By prioritizing digital literacy, promoting awareness campaigns, and implementing user-friendly privacy tools, we can empower the younger generation to take control of their online privacy. Additionally, collaboration with cybersecurity experts, ethical hacking programs, and a strong legal framework can contribute to creating a safer and more secure digital environment for all. It is imperative that we act now to ensure that the future of young Indians is not compromised by a lack of awareness and understanding when it comes to online privacy.