SCR's civil defence unit to train staff on cyber attacks

The Hindu

13-05-2025

The South Central Railway's Civil Defence Organisation (CDO) is planning to introduce advanced training modules incorporating simulations of cyber-attacks and integration of cyber defence strategies.
The CDO unit, through its focus on safeguarding the railway network, wants to utilise real-time monitoring systems and data analytics for effective emergency response. For that to happen, it has sought dedicated budgets for taking up continuous training, improving equipment and infrastructure. It also wants to expand campaigns to educate passengers and leveraging digital platforms, informed senior officials on Tuesday.
The railway officials have pointed out that due to the increasing digitisation of railway operations, the staff should also be up-to-date with the cyber security risks. These programmes are to be tailored for volunteers, workshop staff, frontline and onboard staff, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Accident Relief Train/Medical Relief Van (ART/MRV) personnel, and others involved in critical safety topics.
'Railways is a critical artery of the nation's economy and connectivity, hence vulnerable to disruptions from accidents, terrorist threats and natural calamities. The CDO is tasked with protecting railway infrastructure, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining operational continuity during emergencies,' they said.
The safety unit came into focus when it conducted the 45-minute mock drill while the country was preparing for 'Operation Sindoor' at Kacheguda, Raichur and Aurangabad railway stations last week. Here, the railway staff volunteers simulated hostile attack scenarios, testing air raid siren activation, passenger evacuation, fire-fighting, basic life support, etc., showcased the volunteers preparedness and training.
The select volunteers were earlier trained at the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy in Nagpur to become instructors at various levels in fire-fighting, first aid, evacuation procedures and handling unexploded ordnance.
The SCR civil defence teams have proved their capabilities in the flood affected areas of Vijayawada last year when working in challenging conditions they delivered essential supplies to distressed communities, said officials.
The zonal railway network is across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Each of the six divisions - Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntakal, Guntur and Nanded - have a designated Divisional Emergency Officer (DEO), and also workshop emergency officers, to oversee civil defence activities.
The unit, currently led by Deputy General Manager Controller of Civil Defence Kotla Udaynath, had trained about 6,500 railway staff across various departments and institutions and has been recognised as the best performing CD Unit across the entire railways, according to chief public relations officer A. Sridhar, who was in charge of the unit before the present posting.