Vedanta Aluminium and Odisha Police join hands to strengthen cybersecurity awareness in Jharsuguda

Campaign empowers citizens to “Stop. Verify. Be Secure” amid rising digital threats

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JHARSUGUDA, NOVEMBER 4, 2025

In a decisive step toward strengthening digital safety at the grassroots, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, partnered with the Odisha Police to host a session of the State Government’s Cyber Security Awareness Campaign – Odisha 2025 at its Jharsuguda operations. Centered around the theme “Stop. Verify. Be Secure,” the initiative seeks to build a culture of cyber vigilance among citizens and employees alike, highlighting the importance of prevention-first awareness against online fraud and cybercrimes.

The awareness event brought together a distinguished panel of guests from Odisha Police – Jharsuguda, including G.R. Raghvendra, Superintendent of Police; Madhusmita Mishra, Additional SP; James Samad, Additional SP; Jyotsnamayi Pradhan, DSP; Uma Shankar Singh, SDPO; and Rajendra Sial, DSP (Badmal). Also present were employees of Vedanta Aluminium, its business partners, and township residents. The session became a powerful platform for reaffirming collective commitment to making Jharsuguda a cyber-secure district.

Amid an era of rapid digital transformation, the campaign underscored that technology, while empowering, also opens new avenues for exploitation. Odisha Police experts conducted interactive sessions and demonstrations to help participants recognize and guard against common cyber threats such as phishing, OTP and QR code scams, deepfake videos, fraudulent remote access apps, identity theft, and financial malware. Participants were also educated on practical digital hygiene measures, including strong password management, safe online transactions, and responsible social media behaviour.

Adding a distinctive element to the campaign, attendees were introduced to the “Cyber Rath” – a mobile awareness van designed to travel across Odisha, spreading key messages on cyber safety in rural and semi-urban communities. The Cyber Rath is part of the government’s statewide outreach effort, engaging citizens through street plays, short films, and interactive kiosks that simplify complex cyber concepts into relatable stories and tips.

Speaking on the occasion, C. Chandru, CEO, Vedanta Jharsuguda, said, “At Vedanta, safety goes beyond our operational boundaries—it extends to our digital ecosystem. As technology increasingly integrates into our work and personal lives, awareness and vigilance are our first and strongest defenses against cyber threats. Through this collaboration with Odisha Police, we aim to empower our employees, their families, and the wider Jharsuguda community to adopt responsible digital practices.”

Echoing the sentiment, G.R. Raghvendra, Superintendent of Police, Jharsuguda, said, “Cybercrime is not just a policing challenge — it’s a social one. Campaigns like ‘Stop. Verify. Be Secure’ encourage individuals to think before they click, share, or transact online. Most cyber offences can be prevented through awareness and timely action. We appreciate Vedanta’s proactive role in supporting this drive and strengthening community-level digital resilience.”

He also highlighted simple, actionable steps citizens can adopt — such as verifying unknown links, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, and promptly reporting suspicious activity through official helplines like 1930 and the cybercrime.gov.in portal.

As a digital-first enterprise, Vedanta Aluminium integrates advanced cybersecurity protocols and international standards into its day-to-day operations. The company’s multi-layered cyber defence framework includes regular phishing simulations, cyber drills, and awareness workshops to ensure every employee is equipped to safeguard sensitive digital assets.

Through this partnership, Vedanta Aluminium and Odisha Police have set a benchmark for public-private collaboration in digital safety, sending a strong message: a secure society begins with an aware citizen.

A subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, the company produces over 2.42 million tonnes of aluminium annually, accounting for more than half of India’s output. With its state-of-the-art smelters, refinery, and power plants, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive India’s vision of technological self-reliance while championing sustainability. Ranking 2nd globally in the 2024 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the aluminium industry, the company remains committed to building a digitally secure, environmentally responsible, and future-ready industrial ecosystem.