New Delhi: NIIT Foundation, a Delhi-based not-for-profit organisation, has announced the appointment of five-time World Chess Champion and Padma Vibhushan awardee Viswanathan Anand as the Ambassador for its cybersecurity awareness initiatives, as it unveils Cyber Suraksha Plus—the advanced phase of its national cybersecurity skilling and awareness programme.
Cyber Suraksha Plus builds on the success of NIIT Foundation’s flagship Cyber Suraksha initiative, which has already trained over 10 lakh learners across India. The new phase aims to reach an additional 27 lakh learners by 2028, moving beyond basic awareness to specialised career pathways in areas such as AI-driven security, system protection, and ransomware defence.
The collaboration seeks to amplify public awareness around cybersecurity and responsible digital behaviour through storytelling, mentorship, and public campaigns. By drawing parallels between strategic thinking in chess and cyber vigilance in everyday life, NIIT Foundation aims to empower millions of learners—particularly youth and vulnerable communities—to adopt safe digital practices and explore careers in cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is not just a technical skill but a civic responsibility. Through Grandmaster Anand’s association, NIIT Foundation hopes to bring this message closer to every household, encouraging people to think ahead, anticipate risks, and safeguard their digital presence with the same strategy and discipline that defines his game,” said Sapna Moudgil, CEO, NIIT Foundation.
Speaking on the occasion, Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand said, “Chess teaches us that foresight, preparation, and vigilance are key to avoiding traps, and the same applies to the digital world. I’m delighted to join NIIT Foundation in empowering people with the knowledge and confidence to stay secure online. Together, we can help India think strategically and act safely in its digital journey.”
With Anand as the face of its cybersecurity awareness efforts, NIIT Foundation aims to make learning in this domain more engaging, relatable, and impactful—encouraging citizens to build not just digital skills, but digital wisdom, and to think several moves ahead in an increasingly interconnected world.
