India has concluded its flagship cybersecurity drill, Exercise Cyber Suraksha 2025, with a significant closing ceremony held on June 27, marking a substantial advancement in the nation’s digital defense preparedness. Spanning 12 days, the exercise engaged more than 100 participants from various sectors including the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and essential national institutions.
Conducted by the Defence Cyber Agency under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the drill took place from June 16 to 27. Participants included representatives from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Intelligence Bureau, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), and the Department of Telecommunications.
The primary objective of the event was to bolster inter-agency coordination while simulating real-time cyberattack scenarios to rigorously test India’s existing defense protocols. This initiative is part of India’s strategic effort to address the evolving threats in the cyber domain, particularly as hybrid warfare tactics increase worldwide.
During his address at the closing ceremony, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, who assumed his role in 2022 following significant policy reforms, underlined the necessity of merging cyber capabilities with conventional and information warfare tactics. He described the exercise as a “launchpad for refining operational doctrines and enhancing joint response mechanisms.”
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and a prominent figure during the event, emphasized the critical importance of cyber resilience as an integral component of India’s broader “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. With nearly four decades of experience, including leadership in the development of indigenous aircraft and command of frontline squadrons, Air Marshal Dixit commended the technical expertise and preparedness exhibited throughout the drills.
The urgency for robust cyber capabilities is further underscored by the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Global Risks Outlook, which identifies cyber incidents as one of the top five global risks. A recent study published in the Journal of Cybersecurity revealed that allowing hybrid threats to go unchecked could elevate a nation’s vulnerability by up to 40%.
India’s investment in domestic cybersecurity infrastructure aligns with a global trend. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, nations that prioritized local cybersecurity solutions experienced a 15% decrease in data breach costs.
The closing ceremony also recognized the outstanding performance of teams that excelled in problem-solving and coordination during complex simulations. Both General Chauhan and Air Marshal Dixit praised their contributions, highlighting the importance of sustained collaborative efforts.
Exercise Cyber Suraksha 2025 signifies a crucial step towards securing India’s digital landscape, complementing its traditional defense strategy. The event sets a precedent for future integrated cyber exercises and reaffirms India’s commitment to remaining vigilant and prepared against modern threats.
