Tamil Nadu's Cyber Financial Fraud Losses Serve As A Wake-Up Call to Empower Citizens with Technology Without Compromising Their Security, says Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister of IT and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, At AVAR 2024
- Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister of IT and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated AVAR 2024, the 27th edition of AVAR's Global Cyber Security Summits, bringing together over 250+ cyber security experts and technology leaders to share critical insights on evolving cyber threats and defenses
- With the theme 'The Battle for Cyber Supremacy' the inaugural session also witnessed Lt. General (Dr.) Rajesh Pant, Former National Cyber Security Coordinator for the Government of India and Chairman of the Cyber Security Association of India, and Mr. Kumar Jayant, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Services Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, sharing insights into the cyber technology landscape
Chennai, 5th December 2024: With Tamil Nadu's cyber financial fraud losses surpassing an estimated ₹1,100 crore between January and September 2024, there is a greater need than ever before to build resilient tech infrastructure by leveraging AI, stated Thiru Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister of IT and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, at AVAR 2024, the 27th edition of AVAR's global cyber security conferences, which took place in the city today. Addressing a large gathering of cyber security experts and global tech leaders, Thiru. Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan further emphasized the need for collaborative governance by promoting partnerships between the Public Sector, Private Enterprise, and International Allies, during his inaugural address at the conference.
The 27th edition of AVAR's summits, themed The Battle for Cyber Supremacy, is set to take place today and tomorrow with over 400 participants including CXOs, regulators, and law enforcement officials along with renowned speakers representing industry leaders such as Kaspersky, Google, and Zoho, participating in 40+ engaging sessions. These sessions will highlight breakthroughs in cyber threat analysis and explore topics such as Android malware for unauthorized ATM withdrawals, Generative AI for Revolutionizing Malware Analysis, Cyber Attacks in Asia, the Future of Cybercrime, Supply Chain Security Architecture, Cyber Defense Strategies in the Digital Era, Healthcare Cyber Attacks, and many more.
As part of his inaugural address, Thiru Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Minister of IT and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, "Conferences like AVAR 2024 are pivotal events. They provide a platform to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and build a united global front against cyber threats. I commend AVAR for its steadfast dedication to this mission over the past 26 years and for bringing the world's finest minds in cyber security to Chennai this year."
He further added, "In today's interconnected world, cyber security is not just a technical concern but a fundamental pillar of national security, economic stability, and societal trust. According to IBM's 2024 Cost of Data Breach Report, the global average cost of a data breach has risen to $5 million, a 10% increase from the previous year. India ranks third globally in cyber attacks, with the average breach cost exceeding $2.3 million. In Tamil Nadu, cyber financial fraud losses surpassed ₹1,100 crore between January and September 2024. These figures serve as a wake-up call. To address these challenges, Tamil Nadu launched its Cybersecurity Policy 2.0 recently, focusing on building resilient infrastructure by leveraging AI to reduce the average breach cost to over $2 million; capacity-building by establishing a cyber security training center; and collaborative governance with public-private partnerships. With the state spearheading projects such as Blockchain Backbone – Nambikkai Inaiyam aimed at ensuring that technology empowers every citizen without compromising their security, Tamil Nadu is committed to prioritizing digital safety while fostering a conducive environment for innovation."
Highlighting the growing importance of cyber security, Mr. Kesavardhanan J, CEO of AVAR and Founder & CEO of K7 Computing, said, "This year's theme, The Battle for Cyber Supremacy, was selected owing to the growing recognition of cyberspace as the 5th domain of warfare that has evolved to become a critical arena in global conflict, and includes national security, policy, and strategy. In our industry, we face a constant battle against highly skilled and resourceful adversaries. With technology equally accessible to both sides, the playing field is leveled and battles are intense. Conferences like AVAR 2024 serve as a platform to exchange vital research information in cyberspace, helping cyber security professionals reign supreme."
Adding to this, Lt. General (Dr.) Rajesh Pant, Former National Cyber Security Coordinator for the Government of India and Chairman of the Cyber Security Association of India, highlighted the pressing challenges posed by the 6th generation of cyber attacks during his presentation. He remarked, "In today's rapidly advancing technological landscape, cyber security has become an AI v/s AI battle with artificial intelligence continuously evolving. As sophisticated threats like zero-day attacks grow in frequency and complexity, adopting robust frameworks such as MITRE ATTACK is critical. These measures, driven by AI-powered strategies, enable proactive detection and mitigation, ensuring a resilient defense against emerging cyber threats."
Similarly, Mr. Kumar Jayant, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology and Digital Services Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, "India is continuously battling cyber attacks, supported by trained professionals and dedicated state-sponsored teams assessing vulnerabilities in government infrastructure. With the recently launched Cybersecurity Policy 2.0, we are building stronger teams and training developers to handle cyber security more effectively. Scammers, meanwhile, use psychologically compelling tactics that are difficult to resist once engaged, making it crucial to disconnect at the first sign of suspicion. At this same time, addressing issues like fragmented access controls and password management remains critical, as does creating awareness about sophisticated scams. Addressing these challenges through awareness, streamlined systems, and consistent frameworks is vital to enhancing cyber security and governance, and the Tamil Nadu government is working towards it."AVAR 2024 will also celebrate excellence in Indian cyber security with the prestigious CISO Awards, recognizing trailblazing contributions across five categories spanning the enterprise spectrum. This acknowledgment of regional leaders will further emphasize India's ability to drive impactful cyber security advancements on a global scale.
About AVAR – AVAR (the Association of anti Virus Asia Researchers) was formed in June 1998 with a mission to prevent the spread of malware and the damage caused by it. AVAR aims to do this by developing cooperative relationships among cyber threat experts in Asia. AVAR is an independent and non-profit organization which focuses on the Asia Pacific region and consists of prominent experts from 17 territories including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, and the USA.
