To engage participants, the NCIIPC is offering rewards of up to ₹10 lakh along with commendation certificates to participants.
The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) has announced a unique initiative to engage ethical hackers and security researchers. This initiative is the first of its kind exercise conducted by the NCIIPC, a vital arm of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The NCIIPC’s ambitious plan involves a 10-20 day exercise wherein ethical hackers and security researchers will rigorously test India’s critical information infrastructure (CII) within a controlled environment. The primary objective behind this initiative is to instil a culture of continuous security testing, ensuring the robustness of the nation’s CII against evolving cyber threats.
To engage participants, the NCIIPC is offering rewards of up to ₹10 lakh along with commendation certificates to participants. This initiative not only aims to improve the expertise of top-tier pen-testers and ethical hackers but also seeks to recognise and reward their contributions towards safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure.Moreover, top-performing participants have the opportunity to be empanelled by the NCIIPC, enabling them to conduct future security testing exercises for India’s critical information infrastructure. This move not only empowers ethical hackers and security researchers but also acknowledges their pivotal role in fortifying the nation’s cybersecurity landscape.
Currently, the critical information infrastructure in India spans across seven sectors, including government, transport, banking, financial services and insurance, power and energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and strategic and public enterprises. These sectors form the backbone of the nation’s essential services, underscoring the importance of ensuring their resilience against cyber threats.In a digital age fraught with cyber vulnerabilities, the NCIIPC’s proactive approach towards engaging ethical hackers and security researchers underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical information infrastructure. By collaboration and participation, this initiative not only enhances cybersecurity preparedness but also reinforces India’s resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.
