July 26, Bengaluru – As India becomes more digitally connected, it is also becoming more digitally vulnerable. In 2024, cybercriminals defrauded Indians of ₹22,845.73 crore, a 206% spike from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Beneath this staggering number lies an overlooked truth: children are increasingly the unseen targets. With growing digital access and little structured literacy, they are stepping into a world of invisible threats, often without the tools to protect themselves.

It is against this backdrop that SISA, a global forensics-driven cybersecurity company, has launched Cybersmart Bharat, its flagship CSR initiative aimed at equipping school students with the awareness, resilience, and digital agency to stay safe online. Officially launched today at Sri Siddaganga PU College in Raghuvanahalli, Bengaluru, the programme marks the beginning of a movement to make digital safety a fundamental right for every child—not a privilege for the few.

This day, July 26th also holds deep significance. Marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas, it is a day that honours courage, sacrifice, and the defence of our nation's borders. For SISA, launching Cybersmart Bharat on this day is a deliberate tribute. Just as soldiers once stood watch over our physical frontiers, today, there is a new frontier that demands vigilance: the digital spaces our children now inhabit.

Cybersmart Bharat is SISA's answer to this silent crisis. Designed for students from Grades 8 to 12, the programme goes beyond digital do's and don'ts. It aims to build critical thinking, cyber hygiene, and digital agency, so students not only recognise threats, but also know how to respond. In its first phase, the initiative will reach over 13,000 students across urban and rural Bengaluru through interactive, peer-led sessions conducted by trained student volunteers. Enabled by Youth for Seva, a committed NGO partner, the programme aims to carry the conversation from classrooms into homes, ultimately touching the lives of more than 13,000 families.

Speaking at the launch, Dharshan Shanthamurthy, Founder and CEO of SISA, offered a personal reflection that underscored the urgency of the mission. "This is deeply personal for me," he said. "As a parent of two young children, I often find myself asking - are we truly doing enough to protect our kids in this digital world?"

"In today's digital age, awareness is the first line of defense. Through this Cyber Security Awareness Program, we aim to empower young minds with the knowledge they need to navigate the internet safely and responsibly", said Vishwanath Sharma, Program Director, Youth for Seva.

For SISA, Cybersmart Bharat is more than a CSR programme. It reflects its founding purpose: to build a digitally secure society.

About SISA

SISA is a Leader in Cybersecurity Solutions for the Digital Payment Industry. As a Global Payment Forensic Investigator of the PCI Security Standards Council, we leverage forensics insights into preventive, detective, and corrective security solutions, protecting 1,000+ organizations across 40+ countries from evolving cyberthreats.