2024 Cybersecurity Summit: New Delhi , AI-Based Attacks , Events

New Delhi Cybersecurity Summit Explores AI's Dual Role

Security leaders, policymakers and experts tackled top cybersecurity issues at Information Security Media Group's Cybersecurity Summit: New Delhi, including the transformative role of artificial intelligence in both cyber defense and cyberattack, national cyber resilience strategies and key tactics for combating emerging threats.

See Also: Mitigating Identity Risks, Lateral Movement and Privilege Escalation

The summit brought together industry leaders including Dr. Charru Malhotra, professor at the Indian Institute of Public Administration; retired Lt. Gen. M Unnikrishnan Nair, national cyber security coordinator for the Government of India; and retired Lt. Gen. Rajesh Pant, former national cybersecurity coordinator of the National Security Council Secretariat for the Government of India.

"The Delhi summit provided a great platform for in-depth conversations on relevant issues facing cybersecurity and data privacy leaders," said Rahul Neel Mani, vice president of community engagement and editorial at ISMG. "The dynamic mix of presentations, fireside chats, interactive simulations, masterclasses from leading experts and peer-to-peer networking provided a perfect learning environment to the delegates."

In his keynote address, Nair discussed strategies for protecting critical national digital assets. He detailed ongoing initiatives to enhance cybersecurity across government agencies and critical infrastructure sectors, including the implementation of advanced threat intelligence platforms and quantum-resistant cryptographic standards. Nair emphasized international cooperation in combating cyberthreats and outlined proposed frameworks for ensuring the integrity of emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT.

Pant's plenary session examined the intersection of cybersecurity and geopolitics. He presented case studies of recent state-sponsored cyberattacks, analyzing their technical sophistication and broader implications. Pant outlined strategies for enhancing organizational resilience, including the adoption of zero trust architecture and threat hunting programs. He also proposed steps for developing international norms related to AI use in cyber conflicts, including the establishment of a global cyber attribution database.

Malhotra's spotlight session - "AI in Cybercrime: Lowering the Barrier for Bad Actors" - dissected AI's dual nature in cybersecurity. She explained how machine learning algorithms are being used to create convincing phishing emails, automate vulnerability discovery and develop evasive malware. Malhotra also highlighted AI's defensive capabilities, such as identifying anomalous network behavior and correlating events to uncover complex attack patterns. She addressed implementation challenges, including the need for high-quality training data and mitigating risks of adversarial attacks on AI systems.

A panel discussion featuring Mohit Kalra, CISO at ORIX Leasing and Financial Services; retired Lt. Col. Harkamal Sidhu, vice president of strategic projects in cyber and IT at TM Systems; Sandeep Khanna, director of information security and CISO at UIDAI; and Ashu Agrawal, CISO of Raphe mPhibr, explored the challenges posed by AI-generated deepfakes and advanced social engineering tactics. The experts examined recent incidents of deepfakes in financial fraud and corporate espionage, discussing current threat detection limitations. They shared insights into emerging technologies for combating synthetic media and covered best practices for employee training against sophisticated phishing attempts.

Kapil Jaiswal, senior director of research in information security and AI/ML and CISO for the Government of India, led a master class on addressing the cybersecurity skills gap. He presented data on the current workforce shortage and outlined initiatives for attracting and retaining talent. Jaiswal explored ways AI could augment human capabilities in security operations centers and discussed the ethical implications of increased AI adoption in cybersecurity roles.

The summit concluded with interactive demonstrations of advanced cyberattack and defense scenarios. Kanishk Gaur, founder of India Future Foundation; Dr. Yusuf Hashmi, group CISO at Jubilant Bhartia Group; Siddharth Vijay, assistant vice president of engineering at Baazi Games; and retired Cdr Sanjeev Singh, CISO and data protection officer of Birlasoft, guided participants through a simulated incident response to an AI-powered ransomware attack and a red team versus blue team exercise using AI-enhanced tools. These hands-on experiences highlighted the complexities of securing AI systems and using AI in defensive operations, underscoring the need for continuous adaptation in cybersecurity strategies.

"This year's Cybersecurity Summit in New Delhi showcased the critical intersection of AI and cybersecurity," said Geetha Nandikotkur, vice president of conferences in Asia, Middle East and Africa at ISMG. "The sessions on AI's dual role in cyberthreats and defense provided invaluable insights to our attendees. These discussions underscored the urgent need for adaptive security strategies in an era of rapid technological change and global uncertainty."

Key Takeaways:

• AI is fundamentally altering the cybersecurity landscape, necessitating new defensive strategies and skill sets.
• Securing national digital infrastructure requires a coordinated approach involving government, private sector and international partners.
• Organizations must develop adaptive security postures capable of withstanding both technological and geopolitical disruptions.
• Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap is crucial for long-term resilience against evolving threats.

ISMG's Cybersecurity Summit: New Delhi provided a comprehensive examination of the current and future state of global cybersecurity. Join ISMG for AI's Double-Edged Sword: Navigating Risks While Unlocking Opportunities on August 15, 2024. Discover cutting-edge strategies and insights from industry experts to safeguard your organization against evolving cyberthreats.