Cyber Resilience Awareness Programme Organised at Panjab University

Chandigarh, September 21, 2026: The Centre for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (CSDE), Panjab University, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Department-cum-Centre for Women’s Studies & Development, organised a ‘Cyber Resilience Awareness Programme’ under the RUSA 2.0 Outreach and Public Engagement Initiative. The programme’s theme was “Building Cyber Resilience: From Campus to Community,” and it aimed to create awareness about emerging cyber threats and promote safe and responsible use of digital platforms. The programme commenced with the opening remarks and welcome address by Prof. Suveera Gill, in which she emphasised upon maintaining the human rational thinking, to avoid getting victimised by cyber fraud (Honorary Director, CSDE).
Tarun Malhotra, Cyber Auditor, was the resource person for the programme. In his interactive session, he discussed various forms of cybercrimes, and highlighted how rapidly evolving digital technologies have also created new opportunities for cybercriminals to target individuals. In his talk, he further elaborated on issues such as online money extortion, cyber data hacking, internet security, phishing, sextortion, and job scams, etc. He explained the manipulative tactics commonly employed by hackers and fraudsters to gain users’ trust, obtain sensitive personal or financial information, and deceive individuals into transferring money. Particular attention was drawn to the need to recognise suspicious links, messages, calls, emails, and fraudulent online job offers, etc.
The session also emphasised that cyber security is not merely a technological concern, but requires awareness and responsible online behaviour on the part of every internet user. Through practical examples, the resource person sensitised the participants to the risks associated with sharing personal information online and responding to unsolicited digital communications. The discussion focused on cyber-safety measures for secure internet use. Participants were advised to use strong and unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid clicking on unknown links, verify the authenticity of online communications and job offers, refrain from sharing sensitive information such as passwords and OTPs, and promptly report suspicious cyber activities.
Prof. Pam Rajput, Professor (Emeritus), and Dr. Ameer Sultana & Dr. Monika Munjial Singh enriched the deliberations with their perceptive observations. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks, in which Prof. Rajesh Kumar Chander thanked Prof. Suveera Gill (Honorary Director, CSDE) & Prof. Vishal Sharma (Coordinator, CSDE & PUCWC) for collaborating on an extremely relevant issue, and Prof. Pam Rajput for facilitating in the organising of the programme.