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Draft:Information Security Education and Awareness Project

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Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) is a government initiative in India focused on building human resources in information security and promoting cyber hygiene among the public.[1] The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and has been implemented in phases since 2005.[2]

History

ISEA was launched in 2005 to address the growing need for cybersecurity expertise and public awareness in India.[2] The project has evolved through multiple phases, with ISEA Phase II approved for a five-year period starting in 2014 and an outlay of ₹96.08 crore.[2][3] The initiative has involved a consortium of academic and research institutions, including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and technical universities.[2][4]

Objectives

ISEA aims to:

  • Develop specialized manpower in information security through formal and non-formal education
  • Provide training for government officials and law enforcement agencies
  • Create mass awareness on cyber hygiene and cybersecurity among various user groups
  • Develop and disseminate multilingual educational resources[2][1][3]

Activities

Training and certification

ISEA conducts diploma, certificate, and modular programs in information security, as well as short-term training for government officers and law enforcement agencies.[3][4] The project has trained over 1.14 lakh (114,000) individuals through formal and non-formal courses and over 5,200 government officials in direct training programs.[4]

Awareness Campaigns

The project organizes workshops, webinars, competitions, and awareness weeks targeting students, teachers, government personnel, parents, and the general public.[2][1] ISEA has conducted more than 1,800 workshops, trained over 126,000 schoolteachers as master trainers, and reached millions through mass media campaigns, including Doordarshan and All India Radio broadcasts.[2] Educational materials such as handbooks, newsletters, posters, and videos are published in multiple languages and made available online.[2][5]

Independent assessments

A 2023 peer-reviewed article in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts found that cybersecurity awareness and education programs in India, including ISEA, have been successful in increasing knowledge of cyber threats and promoting safer online behavior.[6] The review highlights that participants reported improved understanding of risks such as phishing and malware, and were more likely to adopt secure practices. However, the article also notes persistent challenges in reaching rural populations and the lack of standardized metrics for evaluating program effectiveness.[6]

ISEA is also profiled in the India Science, Technology & Innovation portal, which describes its focus on capacity building, training, and mass awareness to counter cyber threats.[7]

Criticisms and challenges

While ISEA has made significant progress, independent evaluations point to ongoing challenges:

  • **Urban-rural divide:** Rural areas face greater barriers in accessing cybersecurity education and resources.[6]
  • **Evaluation:** There is a lack of standardized, measurable outcomes to assess the long-term impact of awareness programs.[6]
  • **Sustained engagement:** Continuous learning and regular updates are required to keep pace with evolving threats.[6]

Comparison with other initiatives

ISEA is one of several national efforts to build cybersecurity capacity in India, alongside state-led digital literacy campaigns and public-private partnerships.[6] Notable best practices identified in independent reviews include the use of vernacular content and integration of cybersecurity into school curricula.[6]

Notability and coverage

ISEA has been covered in-depth by academic literature and national science and technology portals, which recognize its scale, outreach, and role in India’s digital security ecosystem.[6][7] Its activities and resources are also widely referenced by partner institutions and government agencies.[2][3][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Information Security Education and Awareness". isea.gov.in. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "About the program - ISEA". ISEA. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Information Security Education & Awareness (ISEA) Project Phase – II". NIELIT. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Information Security Education & Awareness (ISEA)-Phase II". ERNET India. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Information Security Education and Awareness". infosecawareness.in. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Nehra, Shalu; Deepanshi (2023). "Cybersecurity Awareness and Education Programs: A Review of Effectiveness" (PDF). International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts. 11 (7). Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project". India Science, Technology & Innovation. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
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