Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), in collaboration with the Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (GIPARD), hosted a two-day workshop on cybersecurity aimed at enhancing the digital safety of government systems and critical public data.
Held at GIPARD’s Ella Farm campus, the workshop brought together officials from various Goa Government departments to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats, data protection regulations, and best practices for secure data management.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, along with Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, Dr. Seema Fernandes, Assistant Director, GIPARD, and Shri Vidyanand Pawar, PI, Cyber Crime Police Station, Goa.
Shri Shirgaonkar highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity in a digital governance era, noting that systems such as Aadhaar, UPI, DigiYatra, and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain have expanded both opportunities and risks. “This programme is designed to create cyber-aware departments and citizens, because even a single breach can jeopardise critical services and data,” he said.
Dr. Seema Fernandes stressed that cybersecurity affects everyone and requires timely action, given the fleeting nature of digital evidence. She added that the workshop aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills while encouraging similar initiatives across the state.
The sessions were led by experts including Shri Vidyanand Pawar from the Cyber Crime Police Station, Smt Sejal Naik, Junior Project Manager at GEL, Smt Sangeeta Naik, Partner at Digital Goa, Shri Sahil Awasthi, Cyber Yoddha, Goa Police, and Dr. Harold D’Costa, President of Cyber Security Corporation.
Day one focused on foundational topics such as the introduction to cybersecurity, cyberbullying, the DPDP Act 2023, and real-world case studies on digital arrests. Day two addressed mobile-based frauds, golden rules for online safety, India’s cybercrime framework, CERT-In guidelines, and cyber crisis management. Participants also took part in interactive simulations and case studies to identify vulnerabilities in everyday workflows.
Through initiatives like this, the Government of Goa is fostering a culture of digital safety, empowering officials to proactively counter emerging threats, and strengthening the state’s overall cybersecurity infrastructure.
