India’s rapid digital
growth has transformed how citizens, businesses, and institutions operate.
Online banking, digital payments, cloud platforms, and mobile applications have
become part of daily life. Along with these benefits, cyber risks have also increased.
Unfortunately, the response to cyber threats is often driven by panic rather than preparedness.
According to Mohsin Khawaja, cybersecurity professional and Founder of
CSIB, cybersecurity readiness is not built by fear or exaggerated warnings. It
is built through training,
understanding, and responsible digital behaviour. Panic weakens security,
while clarity strengthens it.
The
Problem With Panic-Driven Cybersecurity
Whenever a new cyber
incident or scam trend appears, the common response is panic. Messages
circulate claiming that phones can be hacked instantly, accounts can be emptied
automatically, or systems are unsafe by default.
Panic creates problems
such as:
·
People acting without
verification
·
Distrust in genuine
digital communication
·
Spread of misinformation
·
Poor decision-making
under pressure
Mohsin Khawaja explains
that panic does not stop cybercrime — it
helps cybercriminals. Attackers rely on fear and urgency to manipulate
behaviour.
What
Cybersecurity Readiness Really Means
Cybersecurity readiness
does not mean eliminating all risks. It means being prepared to handle risks calmly and effectively.
True cybersecurity
readiness includes:
·
Understanding how digital
systems work
·
Knowing what actions are
risky
·
Having clear
verification habits
·
Responding to incidents
without panic
Readiness is a mindset,
not a tool or a one-time setup.
Why
Training Matters More Than Warnings
Generic warnings such as
“don’t click links” or “be careful online” do not build readiness. They create
confusion instead of confidence.
Effective training
focuses on:
·
Explaining how cyber
attacks actually work
·
Showing how criminals
manipulate behaviour
·
Teaching when and how to
verify
·
Clarifying what is
technically possible and what is not
Mohsin Khawaja
emphasises that training builds
understanding, while warnings only create temporary alertness.
Cybersecurity
Is a Behavioural Challenge
Most cyber incidents
succeed because of human behaviour, not system failure. Attackers exploit
routine actions, trust, and lack of clarity.
Common behavioural risks
include:
·
Acting quickly under
pressure
·
Trusting authority-based
communication
·
Ignoring verification
steps
·
Assuming technology will
“handle it”
Cybersecurity readiness
improves when people understand their role in preventing incidents.
Role
of Institutions and Organisations
Cybersecurity readiness
is not only an individual responsibility. Institutions play a major role in
shaping digital behaviour.
Prepared organisations:
·
Provide regular
awareness training
·
Encourage questioning
and verification
·
Avoid fear-based
internal communication
·
Treat incidents as
learning opportunities
According to Mohsin
Khawaja, organisations that invest in readiness experience fewer repeated incidents and faster recovery.
Why
Tools Alone Cannot Create Readiness
Security tools are
important, but they are support systems — not decision-makers.
Tools can:
·
Detect suspicious
activity
·
Generate alerts
·
Assist investigation
But tools cannot:
·
Judge intent
·
Prevent voluntary data
sharing
·
Replace human thinking
Cybersecurity readiness
begins before tools are needed, at
the level of awareness and judgement.
CSIB’s
Approach to Cybersecurity Readiness
Cyber Solutions &
Information Board (CSIB) focuses on practical,
clarity-based cybersecurity readiness.
CSIB’s approach
includes:
·
Real-world cyber
scenarios
·
Clear explanation of
digital risks
·
Emphasis on responsibility
over fear
·
Training that builds
confidence
Mohsin Khawaja believes
that informed users and trained professionals are the strongest defence against
cyber threats.
India’s
Cybersecurity Future Depends on Calm Preparedness
India’s digital future
will continue to grow. Cyber risks will evolve, but fear should not define the
response.
A secure digital
environment depends on:
·
Awareness instead of
panic
·
Training instead of
assumptions
·
Responsibility instead
of shortcuts
Cybersecurity readiness
is a long-term process, not a reaction to headlines.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity readiness
in India will not be achieved through panic, fear, or exaggerated claims. It
will be achieved through training,
understanding, and responsible behaviour.
When people know how
systems work and how attacks happen, they respond calmly and correctly. This
calm preparedness disrupts cybercrime far more effectively than panic ever can.
Cybersecurity readiness begins with thinking clearly, not reacting
emotionally.
