Cybersmart Bharat is SISA’s answer to this silent crisis. Designed for students from Grades 8 to 12, the programme goes beyond digital do’s and don’ts. It aims to build critical thinking, cyber hygiene, and digital agency, so students not only recognise threats, but also know how to respond. In its first phase, the initiative will reach over 13,000 students across urban and rural Bengaluru through interactive, peer-led sessions conducted by trained student volunteers. Enabled by Youth for Seva, a committed NGO partner, the programme aims to carry the conversation from classrooms into homes, ultimately touching the lives of more than 13,000 families.

And this is just where it begins. Thirteen thousand children. One city. But the vision is far bigger. Because the real danger is not just what children are exposed to, but what they don’t even know to look out for. In many communities across India, digital threats remain invisible until the damage is done. Cybersmart Bharat was conceived with those communities in mind. The learnings from this first chapter in Bengaluru will shape how the programme grows wider, deeper, and more tailored to the realities of young digital users across the country. 

Speaking at the launch, Dharshan Shanthamurthy, Founder and CEO of SISA, offered a personal reflection that underscored the urgency of the mission. “This is deeply personal for me,” he said. “As a parent of two young children, I often find myself asking – are we truly doing enough to protect our kids in this digital world? The reality is, while we debate firewalls and frameworks in boardrooms, millions of children are silently absorbing influences that shape how they think, feel, and see themselves. Cybersmart Bharat is our way of stepping in, of standing guard for the next generation as they grow up in a world increasingly shaped by digital forces.” 

The Cybersmart Bharat sessions are tailored to the real-life digital challenges students face, from handling online peer pressure to identifying harmful content, to knowing when and how to speak up. But more importantly, the programme is designed to carry the conversation home to parents, siblings, and local communities, thus building a ripple effect of awareness and shared responsibility. 

“In today’s digital age, awareness is the first line of defense. Through this Cyber Security Awareness Program, we aim to empower young minds with the knowledge they need to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. With generous support from SISA and our dedicated volunteers, we are preparing students to face the evolving challenges of the tech-driven world with confidence and caution’, said Vishwanath Sharma, Program Director, Youth for Seva.

For SISA, Cybersmart Bharat is more than a CSR programme. It reflects its founding purpose: to build a digitally secure society. As the initiative scales, SISA aims to take it across India, especially to schools and communities that are digitally underserved and often unheard. 

“This isn’t just about teaching online safety,” Dharshan added. “It’s about giving children the power to protect themselves, how to think critically, recognize manipulation, and build resilience. If cybersecurity is the defence infrastructure of a digital nation, this is where it must begin – at the foundation.” 

Because the future of cybersecurity doesn’t just lie in better tools. It lies in stronger, smarter citizens. And that future begins in a classroom, with a conversation, and the courage to care

About SISA 

SISA is a Leader in Cybersecurity Solutions for the Digital Payment Industry. As a Global Payment Forensic Investigator of the PCI Security Standards Council, we leverage forensics insights into preventive, detective, and corrective security solutions, protecting 1,000+ organizations across 40+ countries from evolving cyberthreats. Our suite of solutions from AI-driven compliance, advanced security testing, agentic detection/ response and learner focused-training has been honoured with prestigious awards, including from Financial Express, DSCI-NASSCOM and The Economic Times. With commitment to innovation, and pioneering advancements in Quantum Security, Hardware Security, and Cybersecurity for AI, SISA is shaping the future of cybersecurity. In the quantum space, we offer Quantum Risk Assessments, QBOMs (Quantum Bill of Materials), and strategic Quantum Briefing Sessions—helping organizations prepare for the next wave of cyber threats through deep forensics intelligence.

For more information about our solutions and how they can revolutionize cybersecurity for digital payments, visit www.sisainfosec.com or contact mediaconnect@sisainfosec.com