Amid growing digital threats, the Union Home Ministry has called for every Indian city to appoint a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to safeguard vital systems and citizen data. With smart cities rapidly expanding, the move aims to build resilience from within beyond private consultants and third-party vendors.
National Cyber Preparedness Gets Municipal Focus
At a high-level meeting on cybersecurity preparedness in New Delhi, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan stressed the urgent need for each Indian city to have a designated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). These officers would be responsible for protecting local data and digital infrastructure against rising cyber threats.
“Cities cannot afford to outsource cyber vigilance anymore, they need internal capability CISOs will be our first line of defense.” – said Mohan.
The appeal comes as cities, particularly the 100 designated under India’s Smart Cities Mission, digitize services from transportation to utilities. With vast amounts of citizen and infrastructure data now flowing through municipal networks, experts warn that external dependence on consultants leaves cities vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Smart Cities, Bigger Targets: National Integration Needed
Top officials from the ministries of electronics, IT, home affairs, and urban development joined the closed-door meeting, alongside representatives from UIDAI, state governments, and the Intelligence Bureau. All parties expressed concern over the rapid digitalization of cities and its corresponding security risks. According to officials, the 100 smart cities have made significant progress in integrating data platforms but lack unified cybersecurity oversight.
“Cyber threats don’t wait for state approvals,” an IB official remarked, referencing the digitization of property records, water distribution, and public transport networks. “We need cities to be battle-ready CISOs will help ensure real-time threat management.”
Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary K. Srinivas announced that a national scheme will soon support the 100 cities in maintaining their IT command centers and cybersecurity backbones. This initiative is expected to ensure continuity across digital platforms and address vulnerabilities in real-time.
Why City-Level CISOs Are Critical
Cybersecurity experts welcomed the call for CISOs at the municipal level, citing the increasing reliance of urban services on digital infrastructure. Smart cities operate with complex IoT ecosystems that include surveillance networks, traffic control systems, utility sensors, and financial data exchanges. These systems are not only susceptible to breaches but could also face cascading failures if disrupted.
Officials highlighted how vulnerabilities in a single city can ripple across states if supply chains or shared platforms are compromised. Moreover, India’s federal cybersecurity setup while strong at the national level lacks teeth at the urban frontline. “A city CISO can bridge that gap,” one expert said. “It’s not just about prevention it’s about response, accountability, and agility.”
