Side Events
Leading India’s Cyber Frontier: Maharashtra’s Government Initiatives for a Secure Digital Future
October 26th, 2025
Leading India’s Cyber Frontier: Maharashtra’s Government Initiatives for a Secure Digital Future
Room: R201
Time: 13:00 to 14:00, 26 October 2025
Organizer: Cadira Foundation
Side Event Description: As cyber threats expand in scale and sophistication, governments worldwide are under increasing pressure to build robust, inclusive, and resilient cyber ecosystems. This side event will showcase the Government of Maharashtra’s pioneering efforts in cybersecurity governance, highlighting practical, scalable strategies that align with the objectives of the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.
Maharashtra—India’s most industrialized state and home to its financial capital, Mumbai—faces unique cyber challenges due to its high level of digital penetration, economic activity, and urban-rural diversity. In response, the Maharashtra State Cyber Department, under the Home Department, has built a multi-layered framework that integrates law enforcement, public policy, digital infrastructure, community engagement, and international cooperation.
Statewide Cybercrime Response Infrastructure
To ensure timely and effective cybercrime response, Maharashtra has developed a robust network of over 50 dedicated cyber police stations and multiple cyber labs at the district, regional, and state levels. These labs are equipped with advanced tools for digital forensics, including mobile data extraction, cryptocurrency analysis, and AI-driven threat detection.
Law enforcement officers are regularly trained in cyber investigation, forensic processes, and legal frameworks, ensuring capacity building at all levels of governance. This decentralized yet coordinated model supports quicker investigation, evidence collection, and prosecution.
Focus on Women and Children’s Safety Online
Recognizing that women and children are among the most vulnerable to online threats, Maharashtra has made their digital safety a top priority. The Cyber Department addresses cases involving cyberbullying, Maharashtra offers a replicable model for cyber-resilient governance.
This side event will provide actionable insights into building cyber-secure states that leave no one behind in the digital age.
Expected Participants: 0-35 people