A new survey has revealed a stark gap between cybersecurity awareness and action in Nagaland and the North East, despite rising digital dependence and growing concern over online threats.
The study, conducted by NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA between July 2024 and August 2025, covered 1,250 respondents across Nagaland and other North Eastern states, including working professionals, entrepreneurs, students and freelancers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
It found that 87% of respondents lack basic cybersecurity knowledge, including awareness of phishing, password security, two-factor authentication and safe browsing practices. While 72% acknowledged that cyber threats are a serious concern, and over 84% said they want digital protection, fewer than 1% expressed willingness to invest in cybersecurity solutions.
Only 26.4% showed interest in learning cybersecurity best practices, indicating limited but actionable scope for awareness-building initiatives.
The survey comes amid rapid digital adoption in the region, where online banking, social media use and digital services have expanded significantly, but safety awareness has lagged behind. Incidents of phishing, identity theft and online fraud have been increasingly reported.
A recent case cited in the study involved a Kohima student who lost access to multiple accounts after clicking a malicious link and was later targeted for extortion.
NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA, described as one of the few dedicated private cybersecurity firms in the region, said it has been conducting awareness campaigns and training programmes to bridge the gap between awareness and action.
Founder and Managing Director of NEXUSCIPHERGUARD INDIA, Pangerkumzuk Longkumer, said, ”The biggest vulnerability in cybersecurity isn’t software—it’s human error.”
He added that cybersecurity is no longer a concern exclusive to banks, corporations, or intelligence agencies. “In a world where every smartphone user is a potential target, digital safety is a public good, and protecting it is everyone’s responsibility.”
Longkumer further emphasized, ”Cybersecurity is not just about technology—it’s about people. Awareness and proactive behavior are our best weapons against these evolving threats.”
The organisation, along with NGO MMB Cyber School, has been working at the grassroots level to promote digital literacy through workshops and community outreach, particularly among students and vulnerable users.
Experts involved in the study stressed the need to integrate cybersecurity education into school curricula, expand government partnerships, and develop affordable solutions tailored to the region.
They warned that human behaviour remains the weakest link in digital security and called for collective action involving government agencies, institutions and civil society to address the widening digital safety gap.