Prayagraj: Authorities in Uttar Pradesh are strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect the 45-day-long Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. With millions of visitors expected, the event’s scale and significance have made it a potential target for cyberattacks.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has joined forces with experts from IIT-Kanpur and IIIT-Allahabad to secure digital infrastructure at the Mahakumbh. Cyber Officer (CO) Tanu Upadhyay, leading the efforts on the ground, oversees a team comprising experts and 180 police personnel trained at the National Cybercrime Training Centre (CyTrain).
Key Security Initiatives
A range of proactive measures has been deployed to counter cyber threats:
Security Audits: Critical platforms, including the official website (kumbh.gov.in), hosting servers, and mobile apps, have undergone audits by the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), CERT-In, and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
Advanced Cybersecurity Tools: IP monitoring, network firewalls, and real-time system surveillance are in place to mitigate risks like ransomware and DDoS attacks.
Telecom Security Operation Centre (TSOC): The TSOC is monitoring digital systems round the clock to detect and address vulnerabilities.
IIIT-Allahabad has also conducted a vulnerability audit to identify weaknesses and enhance security protocols further. So far, the UP Police has flagged 78 suspicious websites, taking down seven of them. Four individuals from Varanasi, Azamgarh, and Nalanda have been arrested in connection with cybercrime activities linked to the Mahakumbh. With these steps, officials are focusing on providing a safe and seamless experience for visitors while addressing the growing challenge of cyber threats.
