Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 October 2025
As part of the observance of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) – October 2025, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Andaman and Nicobar Police Department, organized a Cyber Awareness Programme on 23rd October 2025 at the Conference Hall of the IP&T Department, Sri Vijaya Puram. The session witnessed active participation from tourism stakeholders, tour and travel operators, and representatives from various segments of the tourism industry.
The event was held in pursuance of directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, which has designated October 2025 as National Cyber Security Awareness Month across the country. The nationwide campaign, spearheaded by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), aims to enhance public understanding of cyber threats and promote safe and responsible digital practices among citizens and institutions.
Welcoming the gathering, the Director (Tourism) emphasized the growing vulnerability of the tourism sector to cyber threats, citing instances of online fraud involving fake websites, payment scams, and misuse of personal data. He urged all stakeholders to adopt secure digital practices and exercise vigilance while handling online transactions and communications. He also invited suggestions and feedback from participants to further strengthen cyber safety within the tourism ecosystem, assuring full support and cooperation from the Department for collaborative awareness initiatives.
Officials from the A&N Police Department sensitized attendees about various types of cyber frauds and underscored the importance of cyber hygiene and safe online practices, particularly in managing digital transactions, customer data, and online communication in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Participants were also briefed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the mechanisms available for lodging cyber-related complaints.
The Department of Tourism reiterated that cyber awareness is integral to responsible tourism, given the industry’s growing reliance on digital platforms for bookings, payments, and promotions. The Department reaffirmed its commitment to building stakeholder capacity, promoting safe digital behaviour, and collaborating with other departments to ensure effective implementation of NCSAM activities across the Islands.
