Cybercrime Surge Demands Skilled Defenders: Engineers’ Day Call to Action from AiCyber.Guru

Cybercrime Surge Demands Skilled Defenders: Engineers’ Day Call to Action from AiCyber.Guru

By Somendra Nath Tiwari, Founder – AiCyber.Guru, Somendra@AiCyber.Guru

CISSP, MBA IIM Lucknow, September 15, 2025 — As India commemorates Engineers’ Day in honor of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the spotlight turns not only to innovation but to protection. In an era where digital infrastructure underpins every aspect of life—from banking and healthcare to education and governance—engineers are no longer just builders. They are guardians of the digital realm.

This year, AiCyber.Guru, a cybersecurity education and consulting startup based in Lucknow, is calling on engineers, students, and professionals to take a pledge:
To fight cybercrime, raise awareness, and build the skills needed to prevent cyberattacks.

Cybercrime Is Escalating—And Getting Smarter

According to the latest Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) report, India recorded over 17.82 lakh cybercrime complaints between 2018 and 2022. While ₹5,489 crore was saved through swift action by cyber cells and helplines such as 1930, the report warns of a sharp rise in AI-powered scams, deepfake frauds, and social engineering attacks.

The research by AiCyber.Guru highlights chilling real-world cases:

  • Case 1: The Doctor’s Digital Arrest – ₹2.81 Crore Lost

A Lucknow-based doctor was manipulated into believing she was under investigation by TRAI and CBI. Isolated for eight days under a fabricated “digital arrest,” she unknowingly gave access to five bank accounts. The scammers siphoned off ₹2.81 crore while she remained under psychological duress.

Lesson: Digital arrest is a fake and illegal tactic used by cybercriminals to trap victims through fear. Stay alert—spread the word to friends and family so they don’t fall for it.

  • Case 2: UPI Fraud – ₹56,000 Vanished in Minutes

A college student in Noida received a call from someone posing as a delivery agent, claiming a parcel needed a ₹5 verification fee. The caller sent a UPI link, and within seconds of clicking and entering her PIN, ₹56,000 was drained from her account. Despite reporting the incident to the cyber helpline (1930), recovery was partial.

Lesson: Never click on unsolicited payment links. Always verify sender identity and use official apps for transactions

  • Case 3: Nation-State Cyberwarfare – Infrastructure Crippled

During geopolitical tensions, malware like IsaacWiper and LoadEdge targeted telecom, energy, and financial systems. Fake surrender messages aired on national TV, and critical data was wiped from servers—showing how cyberattacks have become tools of modern warfare.

Lesson: Cyberattacks are no longer just criminal acts—they’re strategic weapons in modern warfare. Protecting critical infrastructure requires skilled defenders and national cyber readiness.

These cases aren’t just cautionary tales—they’re urgent calls for action.

AiCyber.Guru: Building India’s Next-Gen AiCyber Workforce

Founded by Somendra Nath Tiwari, a cybersecurity and telecom veteran with over two decades of rich experience at Microsoft, Nokia, Jio, and Motorola, AiCyber.Guru is more than a startup—it’s a movement.

As an official partner of EC-Council, AiCyber.Guru offers globally recognized certifications that prepare learners for real-world cyber defense:

  • CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker
  • CPENT – Certified Penetration Testing Professional
  • CHFI – Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
  • CSA – Certified SOC Analyst
  • CTIA – Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst

“Our goal is to democratize cybersecurity education,” says Somendra. “We’re blending AI-powered content, gamified learning, and strategic consulting to empower individuals, institutions, and industries.”

The platform also runs Hackerverse CTFs, interactive quizzes, and a vibrant WhatsApp community where learners, mentors, and experts collaborate to decode threats and share insights.

The Alarming Landscape

  • A cyberattack occurs every 39 seconds globally
  • India ranks among the top nations in digital payments, yet 52% of organizations report breaches
  • Over 400,000 fake websites and DDoS attacks emerge monthly
  • Over 1.5 million cybersecurity roles remain unfilled in India, professionals needed immediately, with 3.5 million required globally by 2025

Despite this, awareness remains low. Many citizens fall prey to scams simply because they don’t know how to verify identities, spot phishing links, or secure their devices.

Engineers’ Day Call to Action

This Engineers’ Day, AiCyber.Guru invites India’s tech community to:

  • Take the Cyber Pledge: Commit to learning, sharing, and defending
  • Enroll in Cybersecurity certifications to become certified defenders
  • Join the AiCyber WhatsApp Community as a mentor, expert, or learner
  • Participate in monthly CTF challenges and awareness campaigns

India and its cybersecurity defenders must rise beyond being mere adopters of foreign technologies. It’s time to lead—to innovate, architect, and secure the next generation of digital infrastructure with indigenous strength. To be truly self-reliant, we must build our own AI-powered cyber defense systems, shape global standards, and cultivate a workforce that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them.

The tech community must embrace a security-first mindset—where protection is not an afterthought but a foundational principle. The future of cybersecurity must be Made in India, Led by India.

Whether you’re a student exploring career paths, a professional seeking upskilling, or an educator shaping future minds—AiCyber.Guru offers a launchpad to cyber excellence.

Final Word

Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical skill—it’s a civic responsibility.
As engineers, let’s not just build the future. Let’s secure it.

Happy Engineers’ Day from AiCyber.Guru
Let’s engineer a safer, smarter, cyber-aware India—together.

As Dark Web Drug Scandal Grips Kerala, Upcoming Film by Girish Vaikom Strikes a Chilling Parallel

As Dark Web Drug Scandal Grips Kerala, Upcoming Film by Girish Vaikom Strikes a Chilling Parallel

Kochi, Kerala – 3rd July 2025: As Kerala faces a disturbing drug and trafficking scandal linked to the dark web, filmmaker Girish Vaikom and screenwriter James Bright are ready to release a film that eerily reflects these real-life horrors.

Titled The Dark Web, the film tells the story of two girls who are targeted and kidnapped by a trafficking network operating through encrypted digital platforms. While fictional, the story is rooted in real-world dangers — crypto-fueled crime, online grooming, identity theft, and psychological manipulation.

“We’ve been researching this space for over a year,” said Girish Vaikom. “What we discovered — and what the news is now exposing — is deeply unsettling.”

Written by James Bright, the screenplay is the result of extensive research into cybercrime, victim psychology, and dark web operations. The film portrays not just technological exploitation, but the emotional and social trauma inflicted on the victims.

“This isn’t just about hacking or Bitcoin,” Vaikom explained. “It’s about how invisible networks are being used to trap and destroy young lives — and how society is often blind to it.”

The Dark Web is set for a multi-language release across India, with a script book and interactive campaign aimed at raising awareness among youth and parents.

“We didn’t plan this around a scandal,” Girish Vaikom concluded. “But if our story can spark caution and conversation — it’s doing what art is meant to do.”

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. The references to the ongoing dark web drug and trafficking scandal in Kerala are based on publicly available news reports at the time of publication. The film The Dark Web mentioned herein is a work of fiction inspired by general themes of cybercrime and trafficking and is not directly connected to any specific individuals, cases, or investigations. Any resemblance to actual events or persons is purely coincidental. Readers are advised to verify any legal or factual developments independently.