India has launched a multi-phase national cyber defence exercise titled ‘Cyber Suraksha’, led by the Defence Cyber Agency under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. The initiative, which began on June 16 and runs until June 27, 2025, involves over 100 participants from key defence and national security institutions. The goal: improve preparedness through live cyberattack simulations, gamified response drills, and leadership engagement.
‘Cyber Suraksha’ includes high-intensity practical scenarios designed to test detection, response coordination, and cross-agency communication. The drill is structured to reveal systemic vulnerabilities and enhance decision-making speed during critical infrastructure attacks. Participating teams span defence, law enforcement, and strategic cyber units.
CISOs Conclave places leadership at centre of response
A key element of the exercise is the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) Conclave, a high-level leadership programme focused on role-based training, table-top simulations, and executive-level decision-making. Designed to simulate national-scale emergencies, the conclave brings together top cybersecurity leaders from government and defence sectors.
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Interactive modules include scenario walk-throughs, playbook reviews, and collaborative planning to elevate response capabilities across the chain of command. By embedding cyber defence readiness into leadership roles, the initiative promotes a “security-first” mindset within strategic governance.
CCMP certification bridges boardroom and cyber crisis management
Running parallel to the national exercise is the Cyber Crisis Management Program (CCMP)—a formal certification supported by CERT-In and the Financial CERT Research Foundation (FCRF). Aimed at senior enterprise leaders, the programme trains CISOs and compliance heads to manage real-time breaches, sectoral disruptions, and regulatory accountability.
Together, Cyber Suraksha and CCMP reflect India’s evolving cyber strategy—where crisis response is not just a technical issue but a leadership imperative. The Defence Cyber Agency plans to make such drills a recurring national fixture to ensure institutional resilience amid rising global threats.
