The Karnataka Government has launched a comprehensive cyber security policy 2024 to combat rising levels of cybercrimes and promote awareness, skill building, public-private partnerships and technology integration to protect the State’s digital infrastructure. The policy focuses on several key areas such as awareness and education, skill building, promotion of industry and start-ups, partnerships and collaborations for capacity building, officials said.
The total financial outflow for implementation of the policy for five years is about ₹103.87 crore, which would be met from the budgetary allocation of the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology and Science & Technology. Out of this, ₹23.74 crore would go towards providing incentives and concessions, they said.
According to an official statement, key highlights of the incentives under the policy are: Under the internship programme, a stipend of ₹10,000- Rs15,000 per month will be provided, for a maximum of three months, to Karnataka-based undergraduate and postgraduate interns. The target is to facilitate 600 undergraduate interns and 120 post-graduate interns during the policy period.
For R&D projects in the domain of cybersecurity, driven by Karnataka-based start-ups and in collaboration with Karnataka-based academic institutes, matching grants of up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total project R&D cost, or up to ₹50 lakh will be given. The cost up to a maximum of ₹one lakh towards engagement of Karnataka-based, CERT-In empanelled service providers by start-ups registered with Karnataka Start-up Cell for cyber security audit will be reimbursed.
“The Government of Karnataka, recognising the rising importance of cyber security, has meticulously crafted this policy to establish a resilient and secure cyberspace for our citizens and enterprises,” Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge, said at the lunch event. He emphasised that the policy, aligned with national and international efforts, highlights Karnataka’s proactive stance in addressing cyber threats.
