By Rusen Kumar
NEW DELHI (India CSR): In an era where digital connectivity is transforming lives, the mission to ensure cybersecurity and community empowerment has never been more critical. Anupama Katkar, a trailblazer in India’s cybersecurity landscape, leads Quick Heal Foundation with a vision that transcends mere technology—it’s about building a safer, stronger, and more resilient nation. From empowering youth with cybersecurity knowledge to delivering healthcare to remote villages, her leadership has touched over 64.78 lakh lives. In this exclusive interview with Rusen Kumar India CSR, Anupma Katkar shares her insights on the transformative ‘Cyber Shiksha for Cyber Suraksha’ initiative, the evolving role of women in cybersecurity, and the Foundation’s ambitious plans to secure India’s digital future, one community at a time.
Excerpts:
Q1. Can you brief us about Quick Heal’s Cyber Shiksha for the Cyber Suraksha Awards initiative?
Cyber Shiksha for Cyber Suraksha’ is not just another initiative, it’s a movement, a vision, and a promise to the youth of this country. This program is deeply personal to me because I believe that the right knowledge at the right time can change lives. We see children from small towns, from schools that often go unnoticed, stepping up as cyber warriors, leading awareness drives, performing street plays, and educating their communities. Their passion, their fire—it’s contagious. These awards are our way of celebrating their spirit and giving them the recognition they deserve. Because when you empower a young mind with knowledge, you don’t just secure one future—you safeguard an entire generation.
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Q2. What all Foundation’s CSR initiatives have contributed to the success of impacting 64.78 Lakh Lives?
Impacting 64.78 lakh lives isn’t just a number—it’s 64.78 lakh stories of change, of empowerment, and hope. Every child who learns to protect themselves online, every volunteer who becomes a mentor, every family in a remote village that receives medical care—they are the heartbeat of our mission.
Through ‘Cyber Shiksha for Cyber Suraksha,’ we have empowered over 10,800 schools and colleges across 18 states with cybersecurity knowledge, ensuring that no child is left vulnerable in the digital world. ‘Earn and Learn’ has transformed young, passionate minds into community leaders who spread online safety awareness. Our ‘Arogya Yan’ mobile medical vans have reached the most inaccessible rural areas, bringing healthcare where it’s needed the most.
What fuels us? The gratitude in their eyes, the confidence in their voices, and the knowledge that every initiative is not just creating change—it’s shaping a safer, stronger, and more resilient India.
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Q3. Being a leader in the cybersecurity landscape, you have become an idol for millions but how do you see women doing in cybersecurity in India?
Women are making their mark in India’s cybersecurity landscape like never before, and it’s truly inspiring to witness this shift. They bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a much-needed balance to an industry that has long been male-dominated. While we’ve made great progress, there’s still a long way to go in ensuring greater representation and support.
I strongly believe that mentorship, inclusive policies, and focused skill-building initiatives are key to encouraging more young women to step into this space with confidence. When we create opportunities for women in cybersecurity, we’re not just strengthening the industry—we’re shaping a more resilient and diverse digital future for India.
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Q4. What is your take on the cybersecurity awareness in tier 2 and tier 3 regions?
Cybersecurity awareness in tier 2 and tier 3 regions is something I care about deeply because these communities are often the most vulnerable. With the rapid expansion of internet access, digital opportunities are growing—but so are the risks. Unfortunately, many in these regions lack the awareness and resources needed to protect themselves from cyber threats.
At Quick Heal Foundation, we see it as our responsibility to bridge this gap. Through localized outreach programs—engaging workshops in regional languages, interactive street plays, and easy-to-understand digital content—we bring cybersecurity education directly to the people who need it most.
Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing a student confidently explain online safety to their peers and communities at large, a teacher empowering an entire classroom, or a villager learning how to protect their hard-earned money from digital fraud. It’s in these moments that I’m reminded why this mission matters so much. Because true digital empowerment begins with awareness.
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Q5. What regions does the foundation plan to expand in the near future?
We have ambitious plans at Quick Heal Foundation to expand our reach even further into regions where cybersecurity awareness is most urgently needed. Currently, we are highly active across states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Gujarat, and Karnataka, but we now aim to venture deeper into underserved communities nationwide. We want every corner of India, from bustling towns to remote villages, to benefit from essential cyber safety education programs. We are constantly working towards ensuring that no community is left behind when it comes to digital safety because that’s the foundation stone of creating a digitally secure Bharat.
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Q6. What are the foundation’s upcoming initiatives?
Looking ahead excites me greatly because we have several impactful initiatives planned at Quick Heal Foundation aimed at furthering our mission of holistic community empowerment alongside cybersecurity education. We intend to scale up successful programs like ‘Cyber Shiksha for Cyber Suraksha’ by reaching more states and communities nationwide. Our ‘Earn & Learn’ program will also grow significantly, empowering more passionate young ambassadors who can effectively champion cyber safety within their communities. At the same time, we remain committed to expanding our healthcare outreach through deploying more Arogya Yan medical vans equipped with advanced facilities serving remote rural populations better than ever before.
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Q7. What programs does the Quick Heal Foundation run to educate young people about cybersecurity?
Youth development and empowerment are at the heart of our program because these young minds are the future of our country. When we equip them with the right knowledge and skills, we’re not just safeguarding individuals—we’re building a digitally secure nation. Cyber threats and financial frauds can impact anyone, but through education, we can ensure that more people stay informed, aware, and protected.
The ‘Cyber Shiksha for Cyber Suraksha’ initiative makes learning engaging and relatable through street plays, real-life case studies, and interactive workshops conducted in schools and colleges across India. ‘Earn & Learn’ empowers student volunteers with cybersecurity knowledge while helping them develop leadership skills, turning them into community changemakers as well as giving them an opportunity to earn.
To create a sustained impact, we’ve also launched ‘Cyber Warriors Clubs’—a platform where students receive specialized training and actively promote digital safety within their circles. Through these initiatives, we’re not just spreading awareness; we’re shaping young leaders who will carry this mission forward, ensuring a safer digital future for all.
(India CSR)
