More than 150 undergraduate students participated in a Cybersecurity program titled 'Celebrating Cybersecurity Awareness Month' at the American Center in Kolkata last week.

The US Consulate-hosted event intended to increase awareness among student leaders and bring changes in their cybersecurity habits.

American Center Director Elizabeth Lee said: "Vulnerabilities in technology and lack of sufficient attention to security by users provide cybercriminals with low-risk, high-reward opportunities for illicit gain in the digital ecosystem."

She said: "To address ever-changing crime networks and the borderless nature of diverse cybercrime challenges, we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month during October. This initiative is to promote a greater understanding of cybersecurity within people and youth leaders like you, fostering a sense of personal responsibility for cybersecurity risks, and to protect life, property, and critical information.”

Speaking at the event, Hari Kishore Kusumakar, Additional Director General, and Inspector General of Police (Cybercrime), West Bengal, shared his experiences in cybersecurity governance and law enforcement.

Sanjay Kumar Das, WBCS (Exe), Joint Secretary, State CISO, West Bengal, spoke about the state and central government’s cybersecurity initiatives to control cyber-crimes.

Bidit Mondal, DSP (Cybercrime), West Bengal, shared a few cybercriminal case studies that he has investigated and resolved.

Supriyo Hazra, senior editor, India Blooms News Service, spoke about the common cyber-attacks and social engineering.