The prestigious SCOPE Convention Centre in New Delhi bore witness to the Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (NCX) 2023, an event of monumental significance spanning from October 9th to 20th October 2023. This momentous occasion is a remarkable milestone in India’s unwavering quest for cybersecurity excellence.

This flagship event served as a unifying platform for over 300 participants, representing a diverse spectrum of government agencies, public organizations, and the private sector, all resolutely committed to the safeguarding of critical information infrastructure.

Organized by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Government of India(GoI), in strategic partnership with Rashtriya Raksha University(RRU), Bharat NCX 2023, the closing session had Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM,ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, deliver the motivational address to the participants. He stressed upon the importance of cyber security in today’s world and mentioned that future battle will be fought primarily in the cyber domain. He also stressed on the importance of operational technology in the domain of cyberspace.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary DDR&D and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation, while speaking at the Closing Session made a special mention of such events which would enhance the Nation’s cyber security posture.

Further enhancing the event’s significance, Lt Gen M U Nair, National Cyber Security Coordinator, provided a strategic overview of India’s cyber domain. His insights illuminated the evolving landscape of cyber threats, emphasizing the pivotal role of collective vigilance in safeguarding the nation’s digital assets.

Colonel Nidhish Bhatnagar, the Director of RRU, expressed his admiration for the steadfast dedication of the GoI to cybersecurity during the event. He underscored the vital importance of such efforts in safeguarding India’s digital security, particularly in a time marked by widespread digitization and an increased exposure to threats.

Bharat NCX 2023 represents a defining moment in India’s unwavering commitment to cybersecurity excellence, underscoring the paramount importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders from government, public, and private sectors.

Bharat NCX 2023, organised intense training for the participants over six days and a red on blue Live Fire cyber exercise over five days, wherein participants challenged their cyber skills against a determined adversary. The exercise also had a Strategic Track for leadership level discussions on cyber threat landscape, incident response, crisis management to handle real world cyber challenges.

In addition to the core exercise, Bharat NCX 2023 hosted the prestigious Bharat NCX CISOs Conclave, with a gathering of over 200 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from government, public organizations, and the private sector. This exclusive gathering of industry leaders provided a unique platform for in-depth discussions and deliberations on the evolving cyber threat landscape.

Bharat NCX 2023 also showcased an exclusive exhibition spotlighting the innovation and resilience of Indian Cyber Security start-ups and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The exhibition presented cutting-edge solutions and technologies developed by these dynamic entities, underscoring their pivotal role in fortifying India’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Bharat NCX 2023 while making endeavours to fortify our cyber defences also highlighted the need for a National Cyber Security Strategy resulting in governance structures supported by legal frameworks, efficient processes for threat intel sharing and enhancing Public Private Partnership.

In an era characterized by burgeoning digitalization, Bharat NCX 2023 serves as a compelling reminder of the paramount importance of collective vigilance and preparedness in safeguarding our nation’s invaluable digital assets.