Empowering Adults 50 + in India to Stay Safe in a Digital World

October 15, 2026

For many people, staying connected today means using smartphones, digital payments and online services as part of everyday life. But as technology becomes more embedded in daily routines, so do the risks.

 

For Optiv senior marketing manager Jhancy CS, the risks hit close to home.

 

Living with her aging parents in Bangalore, she has seen firsthand how limited digital literacy can leave people vulnerable to scams. Her father avoids using his smartphone for anything beyond YouTube, while her mother-in-law recently lost money after clicking a fraudulent text message link.

 

Experiences like these highlight a growing need for practical cybersecurity education that helps people confidently and safely navigate an increasingly digital world.

 

 

Turning Personal Experience into Action

In partnership with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Optiv is supporting Meri Digital Suraksha ("My Digital Safety"), a cybersecurity awareness program designed to help adults ages 50 and older to navigate today’s increasingly digital world with greater confidence.

 

Through volunteer support and funding, Optiv is helping bring practical cybersecurity education directly to communities in Bangalore and New Delhi. In-person sessions are held at residential facilities and community centers, providing participants with the knowledge they need to recognize threats, protect themselves online and use digital tools more confidently.

 

 

Building Confidence Through Education

The two-hour workshops cover real-world topics participants encounter every day, including:

  • Safe digital payment practices
  • Recognizing phishing emails, texts and fraudulent links
  • Protecting personal information and privacy
  • Avoiding online scams, extortion attempts and digital arrest fraud

     

The goal is to equip participants with practical skills they can immediately apply in their daily lives.

 

"Supporting this effort is not just a responsibility; it’s something I’m doing from the heart," Jhancy says. "Giving back to the generation that paved the way for us makes every bit of the effort worthwhile."

 

 

A Shared Commitment to Cybersecurity

The initiative is supported by Optiv employees and leaders across India, including Jhancy and Optiv India senior vice president and managing director, Maninder Bharadwaj, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness beyond the workplace.

 

One key message is repeated throughout every session:

Pause. Verify. Then Act.

 

Whether responding to a phone call, text message, email or online request, taking a moment to verify before acting can significantly reduce the risk of fraud.

 

For the volunteers involved, the program's impact is measured not by statistics, but by the people it reaches.

 

"People as old as 90 have participated, and they're taking something meaningful away from it," Jhancy says. "That makes a real difference, and that's what makes this work so rewarding."

 

More information is available at: https://www.dsci.in/content/meri-digital-suraksha

 

Other links:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/meridigitalsuraksha-seniorcitizens-meridigitalsuraksha-ugcPost-7498612661790609409-Zsuu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGZV3IBZ9F6zu__9nUF-TCAYzuUqAYh8SQ

About Optiv Security: Secure greatness.® 
Optiv is the world’s largest pure-play cybersecurity company. With unmatched technology partnerships and deep technical expertise, Optiv securely enables the AI era for more than 6,000 clients. From financial services and health care, to government, energy and retail, organizations trust Optiv to advise, deploy and operate cybersecurity programs that reduce risk and deliver real results. Learn why Optiv is the most trusted brand in cyber at optiv.com.