On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, CyberPeace took the message of peace beyond the physical world and into the digital domain with the launch of a new cohort of CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), New Delhi.

The initiative aims to empower young women with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to understand emerging cyber threats, promote digital safety and contribute to building resilient and informed communities.

The programme reflects a growing recognition that in today's interconnected world, peace, safety and resilience must extend to the digital spaces where individuals, institutions and communities increasingly live, work and communicate.

From Peacekeepers to CyberPeace Keepers

The launch marked an important step towards creating a network of young women who can serve as researchers, first responders, mentors and community leaders in the field of cybersecurity and digital safety.

The CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders will be trained to identify and understand emerging cyber risks while supporting awareness, prevention and informed first response within their communities.

Their areas of engagement will include technology-enabled harms such as:

• Online scams and financial fraud
• Deepfakes and AI-generated deception
• Misinformation and disinformation
• Online abuse and harassment
• Emerging cyber threats
• Technology-facilitated harms
• Digital safety and responsible technology use

The initiative also seeks to familiarise participants with appropriate cybercrime reporting, grievance-redressal and support mechanisms, enabling them to guide individuals and communities towards appropriate channels for assistance.

Building Knowledge, Awareness and Resilience

The programme brought together young women with a shared interest in cybersecurity, technology and community empowerment.

Through technical sessions and hands-on learning, participants were introduced to emerging cyber risks and practical approaches to improving digital resilience.

The programme focused on a simple but powerful journey:

Research → Awareness → Prevention → First Response → Community Resilience

This approach places young people not merely as recipients of cybersecurity awareness, but as active contributors to creating safer digital ecosystems.

Key Highlights of the Programme

The event featured a series of activities designed to combine awareness, technical learning and practical exposure.

Announcement of the CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders Cohort

A key highlight of the programme was the formal announcement of the new cohort of CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders.

The cohort represents a commitment to developing a growing network of young women equipped to contribute meaningfully to cybersecurity awareness, research and community resilience.

Distinguished Guest Addresses

The programme featured keynote addresses by distinguished Guests of Honour, who highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, responsible technology adoption and the role of young people in strengthening digital resilience.

The discussions emphasised that cybersecurity is no longer limited to technical infrastructure. It is increasingly connected to public awareness, individual safety, social resilience and responsible digital citizenship.

Technical and Hands-on Workshops

Participants engaged in technical and hands-on workshops focused on emerging cyber threats and practical approaches to digital safety.

The sessions helped participants understand how evolving technologies are changing the threat landscape and why communities need to remain informed and prepared.

Understanding Technology-Enabled Harms

A significant focus of the programme was understanding technology-enabled abuses, including:

Scams → Fraud → Deepfakes → AI-enabled Deception → Misinformation → Online Abuse

Participants explored how these threats can affect individuals and communities and the importance of early identification, responsible reporting and informed response.

Exposure to CyberPeace Innovation

The participants also visited the CyberPeace Center of Excellence at IGDTUW, providing them with exposure to ongoing research, innovation and practical approaches to cybersecurity and digital safety.

The Centre serves as an important space for exploring emerging technologies, cybersecurity challenges and solutions aimed at strengthening digital resilience.

Empowering Young Women as First Responders

The CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders initiative places particular emphasis on the role of young women in creating safer digital communities.

Women and young people are increasingly active across digital platforms, educational institutions, workplaces and online communities. Building their capacity to recognise cyber threats and respond appropriately can create a multiplier effect, allowing knowledge and awareness to move beyond individual participants and into families, campuses and communities.

The programme therefore seeks to develop participants as:

Researchers who understand emerging technology and cyber threats.

Responders who can support informed first response and guide affected individuals towards appropriate mechanisms.

Mentors who can share knowledge and promote responsible digital practices.

Leaders who can contribute to building resilient and safer digital communities.

Taking Cyber Resilience Beyond the Campus

The launch at IGDTUW represents the beginning of a broader vision — to develop a growing network of CyberPeace Keepers who can take cyber resilience from campuses to families, institutions and communities.

As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in everyday life, communities require more than technical security solutions. They need people who can translate cybersecurity knowledge into awareness, preparedness and action.

The CyberPeace Keepers initiative seeks to build precisely this bridge.

Every Digital Community Needs a CyberPeace Keeper

The International Day of Peace reminds us that peace is built through awareness, cooperation, preparedness and collective responsibility.

In the digital age, these principles are equally relevant online.

The launch of the CyberPeace Keepers & Cyber First Responders cohort at IGDTUW marks a step towards creating communities that are not only digitally connected but also digitally informed, responsible and resilient.