The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), convened the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure on July 18, 2025, in New Delhi. The conference addressed the increasing cybersecurity challenges facing India's cities due to the digitalisation of urban functions. Key initiatives presented included city-level cybersecurity frameworks, the mandatory appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and the completion of cybersecurity audits. Over 300 delegates participated, representing Central Ministries, National Cybersecurity Agencies, State Governments, and Urban Local Bodies, including State IT and Urban Development Secretaries, ADGs, Municipal Commissioners, CEOs of Smart Cities, and representatives from CERT-In, NCIIPC, I4C, and STQC. Discussions also centered on the role of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in supporting long-term urban development, drawing from Advisory No. 27 June 2025, with an emphasis on their expanded role in consultancy, investment facilitation, technology integration, and policy research. The Intelligence Bureau highlighted emerging cyber risks associated with technology-enabled governance. The conference concluded with a consensus on integrating cybersecurity into all phases of digital urban transformation and empowering SPVs to align with national urban priorities. Key dignitaries included Shri Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, MoHUA; Shri Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary; and Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO, UIDAI.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for urban development and housing.
Ministry of Home Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for internal security.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for information technology policy, strategy and development of the electronics industry.
New Delhi: The capital of India, location of the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure.
Chief Information Security Officers: Mandatory appointments at the city level to ensure cybersecurity.
Shri Srinivas Katikithala: Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
CERT-In: Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
SPVs: Special Purpose Vehicles. Repositioned as dynamic innovation-driven bodies supporting long-term urban development.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure
Emphasises Urban Cyber Preparedness and SPV
Sustainability
MoHUA presented key initiatives such as city-level
cybersecurity frameworks, the mandatory
appointment of Chief Information Security Officers
(CISOs),
Posted On: 19 JUL 2025 9:25PM by PIB Delhi
With the increasing digitalisation of city functions, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in
collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY), convened the National Conference on Making Cities Cyber Secure on 18 July 2025 at
Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The conference brought together key stakeholders from Central Ministries, National Cybersecurity Agencies,
State Governments, and Urban Local Bodies to address the growing cybersecurity challenges facing India’s
cities and develop a collective roadmap for enhancing resilience.
The event witnessed participation from over 300 delegates, including State IT and Urban Development
Secretaries, ADGs, Municipal Commissioners, CEOs of Smart Cities, and representatives from key
institutions such as CERT-In, NCIIPC, I4C, and STQC. Dignitaries, including Shri Srinivas Katikithala,Secretary, MoHUA; Shri Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary; and Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO, UIDAI,
delivered special addresses.
The Ministry presented key initiatives such as city-level cybersecurity frameworks, the mandatory
appointment of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and the completion of cybersecurity audits.
Officials emphasised that technologies integrated into traffic systems, utilities, and public services are
increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, necessitating structured risk management and inter-agency
collaboration.
Discussions also focused on repositioning SPVs as dynamic, innovation-driven bodies supporting long-term
urban development. Drawing from Advisory No. 27 (June 2025), stakeholders discussed SPVs’ expanded role
in consultancy, investment facilitation, technology integration, and policy research.
The Intelligence Bureau flagged emerging cyber risks amid growing tech-enabled governance. The
conference concluded with a consensus on embedding cybersecurity into all phases of digital urban
transformation and empowering SPVs to align with national urban priorities.
****
SK
(Release ID: 2146180)