Secure Bharat Summit 2026

About the Event

 

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Shruti Mantri, Senior Associate Director, ISB Institute of Data Science, who highlighted IIDS' ongoing efforts to advance research, capacity building, and policy engagement in the domains of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Ms. V. Neerja, IPS, Special DGP, Cyber Crime, Punjab Police, was the Chief Guest. In her special address on the "Use of AI in Law Enforcement in the Digital Age," she outlined how emerging technologies are transforming modern policing and strengthening law enforcement capabilities. Highlighting the growing misuse of deepfakes and AI-enabled cybercrimes, she stressed the need for citizen-centric and technology-driven cybersecurity frameworks that can proactively identify risks, strengthen institutional resilience, and safeguard public trust. She also underscored the importance of innovation, capacity building, and public-private partnerships in building a secure digital ecosystem.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Yashasvi Yadav, IPS, ADG, Maharashtra Cyber, spoke on "AI Safety and Cyber Defense: Strengthening Trust, Governance, and Resilience." Drawing from real-world incidents and emerging threat trends, he discussed the increasing prevalence of phishing attacks, UPI frauds, deepfakes, and cyber-enabled financial crimes. He also demonstrated how vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure can be exploited by malicious actors, underscoring the need for a more proactive and coordinated approach to cybersecurity. The keynote highlighted the importance of combining technological safeguards, regulatory frameworks, responsible AI adoption, and public awareness initiatives to build resilient and trustworthy digital systems.

Adding to the conversation, Major Vineet Kumar, Global President and Founder of the CyberPeace Foundation, reflected on the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape and the growing sophistication of cyberattacks. He emphasized the need for collective action, digital literacy, and stronger cyber resilience to effectively address emerging challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

A major highlight of the summit was a panel discussion titled "Building India's Cyber Defense Ecosystem: Role of AI, Policy, and Partnerships," moderated by Dr. Shruti Mantri. The session brought together Jai Shankar Sharma, Anandaday Misshra, and Lt. Col. Arminder Singh to explore the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the strategic interventions required to strengthen India's cyber preparedness.

The panelists examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping both cyber defense capabilities and threat vectors, creating new opportunities while simultaneously introducing new risks. They discussed the limitations of traditional security paradigms and emphasized the need for adaptive, intelligence-driven approaches capable of responding to increasingly sophisticated attacks. The conversation highlighted the critical role of agile policy frameworks, institutional preparedness, and continuous capacity building in ensuring cyber resilience across sectors.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of collaboration. The panelists stressed that cybersecurity can no longer be addressed in silos and requires deeper cooperation among government agencies, industry stakeholders, academia, law enforcement bodies, and legal institutions. They also highlighted the value of information sharing, coordinated response mechanisms, and digital trust in building a secure and resilient cyber ecosystem.

Across the keynote and panel discussions, a clear consensus emerged: cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence demands a holistic approach that integrates technology, governance, policy, and partnerships. As India continues its digital transformation journey, strengthening cyber resilience will require not only advanced technological capabilities but also responsible innovation, informed policymaking, and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.

The Secure Bharat: AI & Cybersecurity Summit 2026 reinforced the collective commitment of policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and technology leaders to creating a safer and more secure digital future. By fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and encouraging collaboration, the summit served as an important platform for advancing India's vision of a trusted, resilient, and cyber-secure digital ecosystem.