In a significant initiative to strengthen digital resilience among policymakers, a one-day Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Awareness Workshop was organized at the Old Jharkhand Legislative Assembly Hall, Ranchi. The workshop was jointly organized by Bal Kalyan Sangh and The Asia Foundation, New Delhi, under the guidance of the Hon'ble Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, with technical support from CyberPeace Foundation. The workshop aimed to familiarize legislators and public representatives with the rapidly evolving landscape of cybercrime, digital security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and emerging cyber threats. It also sought to enhance awareness of best practices for ensuring personal and institutional digital security.

Bringing Cybersecurity to the Forefront of Public Policy

The event brought together Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Members of Parliament (MPs), policymakers, cybersecurity experts, and representatives from civil society to discuss the growing opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies. Discussions focused on the increasing adoption of AI across healthcare, education, governance, and industry, while also examining the misuse of AI and digital platforms for cyber fraud, misinformation, identity theft, and financial scams.

Key Addresses

Hon'ble Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato

The Hon'ble Speaker stated that Artificial Intelligence had transformed several sectors by improving efficiency and accessibility. However, he emphasized that its misuse had become a serious concern for society. He highlighted the growing number of cyber fraud incidents and observed that a single cybercrime could wipe out a family's lifetime savings within minutes. He stressed the need for stronger legal provisions and more effective policies to deter cybercriminals and appreciated Bal Kalyan Sangh for initiating discussions on this critical issue.

MLA Naveen Jaiswal

MLA Naveen Jaiswal observed that the younger generation had become deeply connected to mobile devices and the internet. He emphasized that cybersecurity and AI education should be introduced at the school level to help students develop responsible digital habits. He also proposed that regular cybersecurity awareness sessions should be conducted for Members of the Legislative Assembly during Assembly sessions to strengthen digital preparedness among legislators.

Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji

Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji highlighted the growing misuse of AI-generated content, including deepfake videos, manipulated images, and misleading digital material, particularly during elections. She pointed out that elected representatives frequently became targets of cybercriminals because of the public availability of their contact information and emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity laws and more effective digital protection mechanisms.

MLA C.P. Singh

MLA C.P. Singh remarked that technology itself was never the problem; rather, its misuse created challenges. He encouraged citizens to remain cautious while interacting online, avoid suspicious links and fraudulent offers, and adopt responsible digital practices.

Expert Perspectives

Sanjay Mishra, Founder, Bal Kalyan Sangh

Mr. Mishra highlighted that many social media platforms and mobile applications collected excessive user data by requesting unnecessary permissions such as camera, microphone, and location access. He advised participants to review app permissions regularly, uninstall unnecessary applications, and recognize that digital security was not solely a technical issue but a shared civic responsibility.

Nandita Barua, The Asia Foundation, New Delhi

Ms. Barua emphasized that cybersecurity had become an essential life skill rather than merely a technical discipline. She explained that the awareness initiative had initially been launched for Members of Parliament before expanding to various states, with Jharkhand becoming one of the latest beneficiaries. She encouraged participants to strengthen their digital security by using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and replacing default credentials.

CyberPeace 's Technical Session

Captain Joshi, Sr Researcher at CyberPeace Foundation, delivered a comprehensive technical session on emerging cyber threats and AI-enabled attacks.

The session covered:

• AI-powered cyber fraud
• Deepfake technology
• Phishing attacks
• Social engineering techniques
• Fake websites
• OTP fraud
• Mobile device security
• Safe online practices

Participants were also introduced to practical cybersecurity measures, including:

• Creating strong and unique passwords
• Enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Reviewing application permissions regularly
• Identifying phishing attempts and suspicious links
• Protecting personal information on social media
• Maintaining good cyber hygiene across digital platforms

A Collective Commitment Towards Digital Safety

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from legislators, experts, and participating organizations to continue promoting cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy across Jharkhand. Participants acknowledged that as Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies continued to evolve, collaborative efforts among governments, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and technical experts would remain essential to building a secure, resilient, and digitally empowered society.

About CyberPeace

CyberPeace is a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cyber safety, digital resilience, Internet governance, AI safety, and responsible technology use. Through research, policy advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement, the Foundation has continued to work with governments, academia, industry, and civil society to foster a secure and inclusive digital future.

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