On an autumn morning when the city’s old banyans seemed to watch over the steady march of technology, the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Odisha State Centre, convened a State-Level Cyber Security Awareness Workshop at the Krishi Bhawan Auditorium. More than 200 officers from departments of the Government of Odisha gathered, joined by NIC delegates from Delhi, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh—a collective will to guard the nation’s digital soul.

Presiding as Chief Guest, Shri Binaytosh Mishra, Director General of Police, CID Crime Branch, Odisha, spoke with quiet gravity. He unfolded the new frontiers of danger—cyber fraud, digital arrest, personal data breaches, and crimes that lurk in invisible corridors—and reminded all that the modern-day sentinels, the cyber police, stand at the threshold between chaos and safety.

As Guest of Honour, Smt. Litti Patnaik, Additional Director, Department of Agriculture, emphasized how the strength of governance now rests upon the sanctity of data—our new grain, delicate and priceless.

The gathering was welcomed by Dr. Ashok Kumar Hota, Deputy Director General and State Informatics Officer, NIC, Odisha. His words traced the purpose of the workshop: to awaken minds to the evolving threats that shadow our digital journey. Amidst this solemn recognition of responsibility, dignitaries came together to unveil the Cyber Security Brochure, a symbol of collective preparedness.

In his vote of thanks, Shri Chaudhary Bijoy Kumar Das, Deputy Director General and Head, National Data Centre, Bhubaneswar, celebrated the quiet yet immense strength of the centre—its technical competence and its continuing commitment to secure digital governance.    

Technical Sessions

Across the day, eight technical sessions opened many windows into the world of cyber security. Eminent voices led the delegates through complexities both known and emerging:

a- Shri Akshay Kumar Nayak, Additional Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Odisha

b- Shri Pradeep Kumar Kaushal, Senior Director (IT), NIC, Delhi

c- Smt. Sujata Das, Senior Director (IT), NIC, Bhubaneswar

d- Shri Niladri Bihari Mohanty, Joint Director (IT), NIC, Bhubaneswar

In addition, experts from leading global cyber-security organizations—Netskope, Arista, Forcepoint, and Palo Alto—brought insights forged in the ceaseless battle against digital threats. They spoke of technologies, intent, and vigilance—of the art of defending what cannot be touched but can be stolen in seconds.

At the heart of the event’s seamless orchestration was Shri Jayant Kumar Mishra, Senior Director (IT), NIC, Odisha, ensuring that every moment served the larger purpose—awareness, preparedness, and unity in safeguarding India’s digital future.