By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
If cybercriminals were the villains of a high-stakes thriller, then Goa’s parish priests just became the unexpected heroes in the fight against digital deception. Much like Neo from The Matrix, who learns to navigate a world of illusions, 176 parish priests across Goa have now been trained to see through the smokescreens of cyber fraud and online scams.
Under the banner of Cyber Surakshit Goem, the cybercrime cell of the Goa Police conducted a comprehensive Cyber Awareness Campaign, turning churches into information hubs for digital safety.
According to The Times of India The initiative was executed in three phases, ensuring no corner of the state remained vulnerable to cyber threats.
Phase One: Enter the Cyber Arena
The campaign’s first phase kicked off on February 13 at Milagres Church Hall, Mapusa, where 50 parish priests from North Goa gathered. These priests took their first step into a new role—not just as spiritual guides but as digital defenders.
The session focused on unraveling the many faces of cybercrime—phishing, financial fraud, and identity theft—arming the attendees with the knowledge to detect and prevent online threats.
Phase Two: The Awakening
A week later, on February 20, the initiative moved to Old Goa Church Hall, where 56 priests from Tiswadi engaged in the next chapter of their training. Think of it as The Empire Strikes Back—where heroes deepen their knowledge and sharpen their skills.
The discussions covered more advanced cyber fraud techniques, the psychology behind digital scams, and how hackers manipulate emotions to exploit victims. The priests learned that in today’s world, awareness is the strongest weapon against cybercrime.
Phase Three: The Final Stand
The last session, held on February 27 at John Paul Complex, Borda, Margao, saw 70 priests from South Goa stepping into their new role as community cybersecurity advocates.
This session focused on practical strategies to disseminate their knowledge, ensuring that congregations, schools, and local communities benefit from their training. Imagine it as The Avengers Assemble—where each priest, now equipped with cyber wisdom, returns to their community to fight digital deception.
The battle against cybercrime is far from over, but with Cyber Surakshit Goem, Goa has taken a bold step in safeguarding its citizens—not just through laws and enforcement but through awareness and empowerment.
And in this new era, faith and cybersecurity walk hand in hand.
