Bhubaneswar, Oct 18: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched the Cyber Security Awareness Campaign 2025, stressing that public awareness is the strongest tool in the fight against cybercrime—one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age.

The month-long initiative will span across all districts of Odisha, except Nuapada where model code of conduct is in force due to the bypoll scheduled to be held on November 11. The campaign will include specially designed awareness vehicles, community outreach programs, and educational activities to promote cyber safety among citizens.

The campaign was officially launched at a state-level event held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Highlighting the growing need for digital security, the Chief Minister pointed out that over 82 crore Indians—around 55% of the population—now use the internet, making India the second-largest internet user base globally. He noted that as digital technologies become more embedded in daily life, individuals are increasingly exposed to the risks of cyber fraud and online crimes.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to building a secure digital ecosystem, Majhi announced the establishment of 20 new cyber police stations across Odisha. He added that the existing 14 cyber police stations are undergoing modernization to enhance their capabilities.

In a significant boost to the state’s cybercrime infrastructure, the Chief Minister also revealed plans to recruit 1,127 new police personnel and 170 technical experts. Additionally, a state-level command center will be set up under the Crime Branch, which will function as a Center of Excellence for cybercrime prevention and response.

Commending the Odisha Police for their proactive role, Majhi praised the swift support extended to thousands of cybercrime victims through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Cyber Helpline 1930. However, he cautioned that despite institutional efforts, the lack of public awareness remains the leading cause of cyber fraud.