As governance increasingly shifts to digital platforms and government services become more technology-driven, the Haryana Government has launched a comprehensive effort to strengthen the cyber security architecture protecting public data and critical digital infrastructure.
In line with the Haryana Digital Kavach initiative announced by Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in the 2026-27 State Budget, the state has initiated an institutional push to enhance cyber resilience and prepare government systems to counter evolving digital threats.
As part of the initiative, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication (DITEC), in association with the Citizen Resources Information Department (CRID) and with the support of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, organised a State-level consultation workshop in Chandigarh to deliberate on strengthening the cyber security framework for State data.
Addressing the workshop, DITEC Director, Sh. Samwartak Singh Khangwal said cyber security has evolved far beyond a technical function and is now central to good governance, public trust and efficient delivery of citizen services. As digital governance expands rapidly, protecting government digital infrastructure and citizens' data has become a shared institutional responsibility, he said, stressing the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination, adoption of emerging technologies, continuous capacity building and proactive cyber security practices.
Sh. Samwartak Singh Khangwal said that the Haryana Digital Kavach initiative envisages a comprehensive security framework for all government departments, incorporating 24x7 threat intelligence, swift response to cyber incidents, mandatory compliance with prescribed security standards and periodic security audits. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the security of government networks while ensuring stronger protection of citizens' digital information, he said.
Samwartak Singh Khangwal further shared that the deliberations and recommendations emerging from the consultation would help reinforce Haryana's cyber security ecosystem and also contribute to strengthening the country's broader cyber security framework.
The workshop witnessed detailed discussions on a wide spectrum of issues shaping the future of cyber security, including emerging cyber threats, data governance, cyber security for government institutions, protection of the power sector's digital infrastructure, cyber crime prevention, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework, security standards and the development of secure artificial intelligence-enabled IT infrastructure.
Participants also underscored the importance of specialised training and continuous awareness programmes to build a cyber-ready government workforce.The consultation brought together senior officers from various State Government departments, boards and corporations, along with experts and representatives from MeitY, NeGD, CERT-In, NIC, Haryana Police, the Power Department, and leading cyber security professionals from the private sector.
With digital governance becoming the backbone of public administration, Haryana's latest initiative reflects a strategic shift from responding to cyber threats to building a resilient digital ecosystem capable of anticipating and preventing them. The proposed cyber security measures under 'Haryana Digital Kavach' are expected to strengthen the security of government services while enhancing citizens' confidence in the State's expanding digital governance framework.