UP marks Rs95 crore for cyber security operations centre

The UP govt approved an allocation of Rs95 crore for the establishment of a state-of-the-art cyber security operations centre (SOC) in Lucknow. Officials described the move as a decisive push to secure critical information infrastructure (CII) and protect sensitive installations across UP from escalating cyber threats.Officials in the IT and electronics department said the SOC will function as a centralised command and monitoring hub for cyber security operations in the state. It will be equipped with advanced threat detection systems, real-time network monitoring tools, and predictive analytics capabilities to identify, assess and neutralise cyber risks before they escalate into large-scale breaches. The primary mandate of the SOC will be to safeguard critical sectors such as power, banking, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare, govt data centres and other strategic installations. Officials said the centre will continuously monitor digital networks linked to these assets to detect anomalies, malware intrusions, ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns and other sophisticated cyber threats.The facility will integrate artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems to enable behavioural analysis, early warning mechanisms and predictive threat modelling. This will allow authorities to anticipate emerging vulnerabilities and deploy preventive countermeasures in advance. Sources said the SOC will also coordinate with law enforcement agencies, cyber police stations and national cyber security bodies to ensure seamless information sharing and rapid response during cyber incidents. It will serve as a nerve centre for incident response, digital forensics support and capacity building of departmental cyber security teams. With cybercrime and digital attacks becoming increasingly complex and transnational in nature, officials termed the Rs95 crore allocation a strategic investment in building a resilient and technology-driven security ecosystem.The establishment of the CSOC is expected to significantly enhance the state's preparedness against cyber warfare, data breaches and attacks on critical infrastructure, reinforcing UP's broader push towards secure digital governance and smart administration, said another officer.