How is Kerala CM Vijayan Promoting Cyber Security as National Safety?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyber Security is integral to national safety and economic stability.
- Kerala is positioning itself as a leader in cyber resilience and innovation.
- Collaboration among various sectors is essential to effectively combat cyber threats.
- Training initiatives are vital for enhancing the skills of the cyber workforce.
- Public awareness, especially among youth, is key to preventing cyber crimes.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (NationPress) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the state's emerging status as a pivotal national and international center for cyber security during his speech on Saturday at a conference focused on cyber security awareness, policy, and innovation, as reported by officials.
The conference convened experts, law enforcement representatives, researchers, and industry leaders from more than twenty nations.
At Cocon 2025, a leading conference on cyber security awareness, policy, and innovation, CM Vijayan highlighted the crucial connection between cyber security and national security, stressing its significance for economic stability, citizen protection, and state sovereignty.
“As governance increasingly shifts to digital platforms, it is imperative for governments to be prepared to counter cyber attacks and cyber crimes. Cyber security is a matter of concern not only for the public and the industry but also for law enforcement and government agencies,” he articulated.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that this year's conference builds upon Kerala's trailblazing initiatives in cyber capacity building and child protection technologies, positioning the state at the forefront of discussions on artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and public-sector cyber resilience.
Training sessions at the event offered practical experience in various topics, including Windows kernel exploitation, multi-cloud security, offensive OSINT, telecom and automotive cyber security, and red-team operations, aimed at enhancing the investigative and technical skills of India's cyber workforce.
Cocon 2025 also launched the RC Engineering Village, an innovation hub dedicated to applications in radio-frequency, drone, and telemetry, featuring demonstrations of unmanned aerial systems, signal interception, and counter-drone technologies.
This initiative actively involves students from engineering institutions, equipping them with practical skills pertinent to national security.
Vijayan commended the Kerala Police for their innovative cyber initiatives such as Cyberdome, Drone Forensic Lab, the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Cell, CCTNS, and Pol-App, which have received international acclaim.
He underscored the necessity for public education, especially among children and youth, to thwart cyber crimes.
Stressing the conference's role as a collaboration platform, he noted it unites government entities, law enforcement agencies, academia, research institutions, and industry leaders to formulate strategies for safer cyber environments.
“Our goal is to develop innovative countermeasures against cyber threats and to ensure robust security for our digital assets,” he stated. CM Vijayan expressed optimism that Cocon 2025 would solidify Kerala's position as a frontrunner in cyber security and provide benefits to participants from India and abroad, promoting collaboration for a safer digital landscape.