PwC report recorded a 15 per cent rise in weekly cyberattacks in 2025
As India steps firmly into the digital era—with cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital payments fast becoming the norm—its aspiration to build a USD1 trillion digital economy by 2027–28 is gaining momentum. Yet beneath this ambitious expansion lingers a deep and unresolved vulnerability: a chronic shortage of cybersecurity professionals. According to industry data, India requires one million such experts, but currently musters only half that number.
This vast deficit carries consequences. A PwC report recorded a 15 per cent rise in weekly cyberattacks in 2023, impacting not just critical infrastructure and government agencies but also private enterprises across sectors. Without an adequately skilled workforce, businesses are often compelled to outsource security or risk leaving critical systems exposed—raising the spectre of data breaches and diminished trust in the digital grid.
Education underprepared for tomorrow
At the heart of the crisis lies a flaw in conventional tech education. Traditional IT programmes tend to emphasise coding and theory, rarely equipping learners with defensive, analytical, or compliance-oriented skill sets essential to cybersecurity. Universities and colleges often lack the industry-aligned curriculum and practical frameworks that could nurture a generation of competent cyber defenders.
Call for collective action
Industry leaders and academic institutions are unanimous in recognising that building a robust talent pipeline requires more than reactive hiring—it demands early skilling. Collaborative efforts are emerging: universities partnering with tech firms to introduce workshops, bootcamps, internships, and hands-on simulations that mirror real-world cyber challenges.
But even these efforts must be embedded within broader initiatives. There is growing consensus that cybersecurity education must be woven into mainstream curricula from the undergraduate level, reinforced by interactive labs, certification programmes, and continuous training.
Why skill gap matters to India’s future
This is no longer solely an industry issue—it’s a national security imperative. As cyber threats grow in sophistication and scale, a failure to cultivate skilled professionals risks compromising not just business continuity, but the integrity of vital state systems and public trust.
The remedy will not be instant—but through coordinated efforts involving academia, government, and the private sector, India can begin to forge a resilient and capable cybersecurity workforce. If successful, that workforce could well become the backbone of its digital sovereignty.
