Kolkata – As part of a national capacity-building initiative, a Regional Conference and Workshop on Cybersecurity Awareness was successfully conducted for power sector professionals from the Eastern and Northeastern regions. The event was organized by the Computer Security Incident Response Team for Power Sector (CSIRT-Power), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, in association with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).
The workshop was aimed at enhancing the preparedness of IT and OT (Operational Technology) professionals working in power utilities, amidst the increasing cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. The conference emphasized the importance of a trained, aware, and proactive workforce in ensuring cyber resilience within the power sector.
Leaders Emphasize Strategic Importance of Cybersecurity
L. K. S. Rathore, Director of CSIRT-Power, underscored the urgency of cybersecurity readiness in the energy domain. He highlighted that the initiative is being carried out under the directions of the Hon’ble Minister of Power, and plans are already underway to conduct similar workshops in other regions of the country.
“The power sector is one of the most critical and vulnerable sectors when it comes to cyber threats. Awareness and response capacity among professionals are the first line of defense,” said Rathore.
Distinguished Attendees and Speakers
The event was graced by several senior dignitaries and domain leaders, including:
- Mr. S. Suresh Kumar (IAS) – Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
- Mr. N. S. Mondal – Member Secretary, Eastern Regional Power Committee (ERPC)
- Mr. K. B. Jagtap – Member Secretary, North Eastern Regional Power Committee (NERPC)
- Mr. Rajiv Sutradhar – Executive Director, ERLDC & Chairman, ER-GO-CSCF
- Mr. T. Srinivas – Executive Director & Chief Information Security Officer, GRID India and CERT-GO-Nodal
These officials addressed key aspects of cyber resilience, shared sector-specific experiences, and discussed best practices for incident response in energy operations.
Strengthening Cyber Defenses Across the Grid
The workshop served as a critical platform for utility professionals to engage with national cybersecurity leadership, explore real-world threat scenarios, and gain exposure to evolving risks in both IT and OT environments. Sessions included technical briefings, incident response frameworks, and collaborative policy perspectives.
This initiative reinforces the government’s ongoing focus on securing critical infrastructure, especially the power sector, through continuous education and regional outreach.
About DVC
The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is India’s first multipurpose river valley project, established in 1948, primarily focused on flood control, irrigation, water supply, navigation, drainage, and power generation in the Damodar River basin. It operates in the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand. DVC is a statutory corporation governed by the DVC Act of 1948. DVC aims to address multiple needs of the region, including flood control, irrigation, water supply, and power generation. DVC is a public sector undertaking (PSU).
