Multi-stakeholder consultation meeting held on cyber security and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
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Bilaspur, March 6 : The District Administration and the Indian Red Cross Society, Bilaspur District, organized a multi-stakeholder consultation meeting to adapt the proposed cybersecurity guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to local conditions and to obtain suggestions from various stakeholders. A total of 23 representatives, including representatives from the Education Department, Police Department, Child Protection System, students, school representatives, parents, civil society organizations, and cybersecurity experts, participated in the meeting and presented their valuable suggestions.
Deputy Commissioner and President of the Indian Red Cross Society, Bilaspur, Rahul Kumar, said that developing cybersecurity guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for adolescents is a crucial initiative to strengthen their digital security. He commended Matrisudha and Independent Thought, New Delhi, for providing technical support in this process.
He said that guidelines should be developed in consultation with various stakeholders at the grassroots level, while also taking into account future technologies. In this context, suggestions are also needed from technical institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, and the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Una, so that these guidelines can incorporate new technologies that will be developed in the next ten years and their potential side effects, ensuring a safe and secure future for adolescents.
Om Kant Thakur, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Cyber Security Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Drafting Committee, said that this initiative by the district administration will not only help ensure a safe digital environment for adolescents in Bilaspur district, but could also serve as a model initiative for other districts and states in the future. This is an important step towards ensuring the safety of children and adolescents in the digital age, which will promote safe and responsible digital use.
He said that based on the suggestions received, the guidelines and SOPs being prepared will clearly define the roles and responsibilities of schools, parents, police administration and other related institutions, so that a safe and responsible digital environment can be provided to the adolescents.
During the consultation, participants discussed in detail the emerging digital challenges facing adolescents, such as cyberbullying, online grooming, fake profiles, cyber fraud, and unsafe online behavior, and offered practical and effective suggestions for addressing these issues.
