The three-day national cybersecurity conference CERT-In SAMVAAD 2025 officially commenced on May 19 at Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. Organized by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in collaboration with SkillsDA, the event brings together over 300 participants including government representatives, regulators, industry professionals, and empanelled cybersecurity auditing organizations.
The conference is dedicated to enhancing India’s cybersecurity audit ecosystem through collaborative discussions, capacity building, and sharing best practices among stakeholders.
In his keynote address, S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stressed the pressing need to “innovate in cybersecurity auditing, improve risk assessment methodologies, and focus on emerging technologies.” He noted that building cyber resilience requires a strategic and collaborative approach, and platforms like SAMVAAD provide a vital space for evolving auditing practices.
“Initiatives like SAMVAAD 2025 offer valuable opportunities for audit organizations to modernize practices and contribute to a cyber-resilient India,” Krishnan stated.
Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In, welcomed delegates by highlighting the uniqueness of SAMVAAD 2025 as “the first global conference dedicated solely to the auditing community.” He shared insights into the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team CERT-In’s structured framework for cybersecurity audits, including empanelment for penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and audits to ensure national cyber preparedness.
Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the importance of cyber resilience, especially given the increasing focus on India’s critical infrastructure by threat actors. He noted that sound architectures and frameworks are key to maintaining continuity during cyber incidents.
Speaking on advanced technologies such as AI, 5G/6G, and quantum computing, Dr. N. Subramanian, Executive Director of SETS, stated that these technologies present emerging challenges, but also opportunities to develop robust cybersecurity strategies.
Brajendra Navnit, Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, shared the state’s progress in cybersecurity and lauded CERT-In for organizing a nationally important event. He urged auditing bodies to move beyond “checklist” audits and tackle systemic cybersecurity risks.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled ‘Cybersecurity Audits & Regulatory Expectations: Bridging the Gap’, moderated by S.S. Sarma, Director Operations, CERT-In. Regulatory authorities offered practical guidance to audit firms on aligning their practices with compliance mandates.
Over the course of the next two days, more than 70 expert sessions will unfold across technical and management tracks:
Cybersecurity governance
C-suite risk strategies
Stakeholder communication
Human behavior in cybersecurity
Tools for audit automation
Security in next-gen tech: IoT, AI/ML, blockchain, quantum
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) adoption
Continuous auditing in cloud, APIs, and operational technology
SAMVAAD 2025 is geared toward helping cybersecurity professionals stay ahead of cyber threats by equipping them with the latest audit tools, automation techniques, and best practices. The aim is to elevate audit quality and help organizations better manage India’s fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
The conference will run until May 21, and is being attended by top officials from both central and state governments, industry experts, and leaders from over 300 CERT-In empanelled audit organizations.
The CERT-In SAMVAAD 2025 conference marks a significant step forward in India's commitment to building a robust and future-ready cybersecurity ecosystem. By bringing together key stakeholders from government, industry, and academia, the event serves as a dynamic platform for collaborative learning, strategic dialogue, and technical innovation.
As India rapidly embraces emerging technologies like AI, 5G, and quantum computing, the emphasis on proactive auditing, continuous risk assessment, and resilient frameworks becomes more critical than ever. Through insightful discussions, hands-on workshops, and cutting-edge presentations, SAMVAAD 2025 is not only shaping the national cybersecurity narrative but also empowering auditing bodies to rise to the challenges of a digitally connected world.
With participation from over 300 empanelled organizations, the conference reinforces the vision of a cybersecure India, where innovation and vigilance go hand in hand. As it concludes on May 21, SAMVAAD 2025 is set to leave a lasting impact on India’s digital governance and cyber resilience landscape.