The MHA’s communication, reiterated from a recent conference on cyber safety, stresses that CISOs will be vital for safeguarding the digital infrastructure of smart cities
In a move to fortify India’s urban digital infrastructure, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to take immediate steps to strengthen cybersecurity across the country’s smart cities.The directive, which comes in the wake of rising cyber threats, emphasises the critical need for each smart city to appoint a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) supported by a technical team.
The MHA’s communication, reiterated from a recent conference on cyber safety, stresses that CISOs will be vital for safeguarding the digital infrastructure of smart cities. Their responsibilities will include monitoring cyber risks, ensuring compliance with national security protocols, and leading responses to potential attacks. This initiative is a response to the increasing reliance on technology-driven governance under the government’s Smart Cities Mission.
In a letter to his MoHUA counterpart, MHA secretary Govind Mohan wrote that a robust Information Security Management System should be implemented, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and multi-factor authentication. The letter also called for regular cybersecurity audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration tests to identify and address weaknesses. Following the directive, MoHUA has reportedly begun the process of designating CISOs.
The directive also highlighted the operationalisation of a 24×7 Cyber Multi Agency Centre by the MHA, which will serve as a central point for reporting and coordinating responses to cyber incidents. The move signals a more proactive approach from the government to protect urban digital systems from an evolving threat landscape.
