GUWAHATI, November 19 (MExN): Citing growing instances of cyber attacks from “non-friendly countries,” cybersecurity experts called for a resilient AI-driven defence mechanism and investigation process, alongside greater public awareness.
At a national conference, experts highlighted that IT system constraints, too many disconnected threads, and limited remote capabilities were holding back investigations, which could be fast-tracked with the adoption of proper AI tools and skilling of users.
The conference on 'Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics and Intelligence' was organised by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) at Gauhati University.
Citing alarming data, Keshri Kumar Asthana, Head of Public Sector at Microsoft, said, “India lost Rs 22,845 crore to cyber fraud in 2024, a 205.6 per cent surge from the previous year.”
He stated that over 36 lakh financial fraud cases were reported during the year, and around 20.5 lakh cybersecurity incidents were reported to CERT-In in 2024, up from 15.9 lakh in 2023.
Asthana added that the average cost of a data breach in India in 2025 is Rs 22 crore, the highest on record, driven by gaps in governance and security. “Around 83 per cent of organizations experience more than one data breach in their lifetime. The cost is high as the incidents are being caught late,” he said.
He emphasised that defenders must adopt a “graphical thinking” approach to counter attackers who already use such methods.
Sandesh Jadhav, Global Data Privacy Officer of Wipro, cautioned people to be vigilant while using social media and digital platforms, warning, “You are being watched continuously.”
Shreekrishna Ashutosh of Cellebrite pointed to operational challenges, noting that 50 per cent of agencies report case backlogs yearly, and 60 per cent of investigators still rely on outdated methods. “The average time spent per case reviewing digital evidence is 69 hours,” he said.
Asthana underscored the critical role of digital evidence, stating, “90 per cent of criminal cases include digital evidence and 98 per cent of prosecutors say it is pivotal. Digital evidence is no longer optional but essential.”
The two-day event is being organised by NIELIT Assam & Nagaland under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), in association with Assam Police and Gauhati University. The conference is being held under the theme “Cyber Secure Bharat: Fortifying India’s Digital Future.”
Delivering the welcome address, L Lanuwabang, Director of NIELIT Assam & Nagaland and Conference Chair, highlighted the expansion of the conference to Guwahati to ensure wider participation across the North-East.
He emphasised the need for advanced cyber training, digital forensic laboratory infrastructure, coordinated cyber investigations, and multi-agency collaboration. “Cyber Secure Bharat is not merely a theme; it is a national mission. A secure India is the foundation of a strong digital future,” Lanuwabang remarked.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by K S Gopinath Narayan, Principal Secretary, IT, Government of Assam; Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor, Gauhati University; and Surendra Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, Assam, among others.
This year's conference features over 30 speakers from industry, defence, law enforcement, and academia, with more than 300 delegates in attendance.
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Santanu Borgohain, Additional Director, NIELIT Guwahati. The second day will feature technical sessions and panel discussions on emerging threats and cybercrime trends.
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