Cybersecurity experts in India have issued an urgent call for enhanced defense mechanisms and investigative processes driven by artificial intelligence (AI), following a significant surge in attacks reportedly originating from “non-friendly countries.” This demand arose during a national conference held at Gauhati University, organized by the National Institute of Electronics, Information & Technology (NIELIT), which focused on the inadequacies of current methods in countering sophisticated cyber threats.
Keshri Kumar Asthana, Microsoft’s Head of Public Sector, underscored the severity of the situation by presenting alarming statistics: India experienced a staggering loss of ₹2,845 crore due to cyber fraud in 2024, reflecting a 205.6 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, over 36 lakh financial fraud cases were reported that year. The national nodal agency, CERT-In, recorded approximately 20.5 lakh cybersecurity incidents in 2024, up from 15.9 lakh in 2023.
Asthana warned that the average cost of a data breach is projected to soar to ₹22 crore in 2025, primarily due to gaps in security and governance. He emphasized the need for defense strategies that think in non-linear patterns, stating, “The attackers are not thinking linearly but in graphs, and the defense too has to think on graphs to stop their graphical thinking.”
At the conference, experts discussed various obstacles impeding effective cyber investigations. Shreekrishna Ashutosh of Cellebrite highlighted systemic issues, including outdated IT infrastructure and insufficient remote capabilities, noting that 60 percent of investigators still depend on ineffective methods. This has contributed to case backlogs in 50 percent of agencies, with investigators spending an average of 69 hours reviewing digital evidence per case.
Asthana pointed out that digital evidence has become essential in criminal cases, with 90 percent of such cases involving it and 98 percent of prosecutors considering it crucial. He and other experts advocated for the rapid adoption of advanced AI tools and thorough training for users and investigators.
Amid technical discussions, there was a strong emphasis on public awareness. Sandesh Jadhav, Global Data Privacy Officer at Wipro, warned citizens about the pervasive surveillance in the digital space, urging them to exercise caution on social media and other platforms.
The two-day conference, themed “Cyber Secure Bharat: Fortifying India’s Digital Future,” featured notable officials, including L. Lanuwabang, Director of NIELIT Assam & Nagaland. Lanuwabang, who chaired the conference, emphasized the importance of expanding cybersecurity outreach in the North-East and promoting advanced training and improved digital forensic infrastructure.
He concluded, “Cyber Secure Bharat is not merely a theme; it is a national mission. A secure India is the foundation of a strong digital future.” The conference is set to continue with sessions focused on emerging threats and the methodologies of digital investigation.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-experts-sound-alarm-on-cyber-crisis-seek-ai-driven-defense-and-investigation-overhaul.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-11-19 23:58:00
