Capacity building programme on cybersecurity held

A two-day capacity building programme on cybersecurity and awareness on the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), organised by Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL) and Kohima Police in partnership with MMB Cyber School, commenced at Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering as special guest, Sr. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kohima, Krodi Rhetso, stated that the programme had brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, police and traffic personnel, staff members from schools and institutions, banks, and various offices.
He observed that such participation reflected the broad relevance of cybersecurity, emphasising that it was not confined to any single sector but concerned all sections of society.
Rhetso remarked that the world was undergoing rapid digital transformation, where technology interconnected homes, workplaces, classrooms, and public services.
While acknowledging that such advancements had brought convenience and growth, he cautioned that they had also created new avenues for crime.
He pointed out that cybercrime was no longer a distant or abstract threat but was increasingly prevalent, in some cases occurring more frequently than conventional offline crimes.
Highlighting the importance of awareness, the SP stressed that it constituted the first and most effective line of defence against cyber threats.
He asserted that cybersecurity awareness needed to begin at the grassroots level, adding that it should be discussed within families, taught in educational institutions, practiced in workplaces, and disseminated through churches and community groups. He further noted that every individual using a mobile phone or the internet was both a potential target and a potential defender.
Rhetso urged participants to view the programme not merely as an event but as a movement, encouraging them to act as ambassadors of cyber awareness within their respective circles. He called upon attendees to share the knowledge gained during the programme with colleagues, families, and communities, with the aim of collectively building a safer and more secure digital environment in Kohima.
Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by KSCDL chief executive officer Er. K. Theunuo. This was followed by a presentation on the ICCC by senior technical officer, KSCDL, Er. Ketusezo Rote.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by senior general manager (Planning), KSCDL, Ar. Thejangulie Tsukru.
The programme will continue on March 26.