EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES AND CAPACITIES OF TAMIL NADU’S INSTITUTIONS IN CONFRONTING CYBER THREATS

Abstract

As digital governance expands, cybersecurity has become a critical component of administrative resilience, especially for technologically progressive states like Tamil Nadu. The integration of digital services across departments and public interfaces has significantly increased the state's exposure to a broad spectrum of cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and cyber espionage. This paper explores the institutional readiness of Tamil Nadu in addressing these evolving cyber risks, analyzing both its policy landscape and operational capacities. Tamil Nadu has taken commendable strides in developing a cybersecurity framework, particularly through the introduction of the Cyber Security Policy 2020 and its updated version, Tamil Nadu Cyber Security Policy 2.0. These policies define the state’s commitment to protecting its digital infrastructure by establishing dedicated bodies such as the Cyber Security Architecture – Tamil Nadu (CSA-TN), the State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, and the role of the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA) in securing digital assets. Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, including outdated technological infrastructure, insufficient cybersecurity training, lack of awareness among government employees, and fragmented coordination among institutions. This paper adopts a descriptive research methodology to examine the strengths and weaknesses of Tamil Nadu’s cybersecurity posture. It draws upon secondary data sources such as government documents, policy papers, media reports, and institutional publications to present a comprehensive overview. The study evaluates the roles of law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and IT departments in mitigating cyber threats, while also identifying gaps in capacity, training, and infrastructure. Ultimately, the study highlights the urgent need for sustained investments in cybersecurity awareness, technological modernization, inter-agency coordination, and capacity building. These are essential to ensure that Tamil Nadu’s institutions are not only prepared to defend against cyberattacks but are also resilient enough to adapt to future threats in an increasingly digitized world.