Goa: SAMVAAD 2026 conference discusses strengthening cyber security framework

The annual conference of CERT-In empanelled auditing organisations, SAMVAAD 2026, being hosted by Goa, has brought more than 500 delegates from India and abroad to deliberate on strengthening the country's cyber security framework. On the opening day of the three-day conference, themed ''Securing Digital Bharat through Future-Ready Audits: Adapting, Assuring, Advancing,'' several key initiatives were unveiled, including the launch of AMBAK- a blockchain-enabled cybersecurity audit platform. Addressing the gathering at the BITS Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the coastal state, traditionally known for tourism, is emerging as a hub for cybersecurity. ''Delegates from across the country and abroad have gathered here not just for Goa's scenic beauty but for meaningful discussions on securing the digital future,'' he said, while emphasising the importance of secure digital systems in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Digital India. Sawant highlighted the role of CERT-In as the national advisory body on cybersecurity and said initiatives such as audit monitoring and benchmarking are crucial for strengthening systems and ensuring accountability. He also pointed out that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence will have a major impact on sectors such as banking and healthcare, making robust cybersecurity frameworks even more critical. The Chief Minister lauded the 1930 cyber helpline and the Cyber Yoddha programme launched by the Goa Police, and congratulated stakeholders on the release of cybersecurity publications during the event. The conference will feature technical sessions, panel discussions and collaborative engagements over the next two days, focusing on emerging cyber threats and future-ready solutions for a secure digital ecosystem. S S Sarma, Senior Director, CERT-In; Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In; Suman Gundu, Director of BITS Pilani Goa Campus, along with experts from the cybersecurity domain, attended.

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