Amrita University’s three-day International Conference on Cybersecurity – InCTFCon concluded

Mumbai, January 24, 2022: The 11th edition of InCTFCon - International Cyber Security Conference & Training was conducted virtually from January 21st to 23rd. The grand event was organized by the Amrita Center for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, one of India’s leading Cybersecurity research team. With 1000+ students participating and several inspiring sessions on both core and emerging areas of cybersecurity, privacy, and digital safety, the conference witnessed talks, interactive sessions, and panel discussions on important topics by eminent speakers from countries like Israel, USA, Germany, and India. 
 
Inaugural session was attended by prominent voices in the Cyber-security sector like Shri. Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairperson & CEO Salesforce India, Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant, National Cyber Security Coordinator, Shri. Atanu Chakraborty, Chairman, HDFC Bank sharing their expertise in the cyber security-sector.
 
The chief guest of the event, Shri. Ajay Prakash Sawhney spoke about India's present and future in cyberspace with regard to the rising number of cyber-attacks around the world. According to him, creating awareness and educating the masses about the best practices, cyber hygiene, vulnerabilities, threats etc. is the first step towards the goal. He emphasized the need for continuous innovation and startups in this space and the giant leap already made by India in being ranked amongst Top 10 countries in Global Cybersecurity Index. He appreciated Amrita’s efforts in giving training to thousands of students and professionals across the country in enhancing the cyber-security awareness and improving their skills.
 
Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya on her talk on “Cybersecurity and Trust” mentioned the importance of building trust among the increased rise in cyber-attacks during the COVID pandemic. She reiterated the initiative from Amrita on conducting the event as it has proven to be scalable and shows it can reliably take the students and young professionals into permanent, high-skilled cyber-security related works.
 
Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant spoke about the Cross Border Cyber Attacks' on SaaS and other cloud platforms, ransomware attacks, vulnerability mapping, and 0-day attacks. He said "InCTF is yet another feather on the cap of Amrita, grown from 2010. CTF is an excellent platform to excite, nurture, and showcase cybersecurity talent in the country.” Shri. Atanu Chakraborty gave the keynote address emphasizing the cyber security and challenges faced by the financial and banking sectors.
 
Panel discussions on critical topics "Online Child Abuse – We Must and Can Stop It" and “Fighting Cybercrime” was discussed in depth to understand, deliberate, and assess the requirements of the stakeholders in this problem – citizens, companies and the government in the changing working environment. The panelists were influencers from various walks of life, and they shared their personal experiences and views in the multiple roles they had served.
 
Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, Director of Amrita Center for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks during her address said “The big dream behind this conference is to inculcate a new generation of cybersecurity professionals to protect the globe from a cyber pandemic and to safeguard India's future in the digital atmosphere. CTFs have gained popularity with increased participation strength each year.”
 
“Through these contents and conference the cyber-security team at Amrita wants to educate and promote a culture of online and technology safety and security” said Mr Vipin Pavithran, a cyber-security veteran and chief-coordinator of the event.
 
Other eminent speakers of the event included Shri. Suvabrata Sinha, Chief Information Security Officer at NXP Semiconductors, Mr. Chris Caren, CEO, Turnitin, Mr. Joshua Brown, Vice President, Global Chief Information Security Officer H&R Block; and Dr. Richard Chow, University Research Manager & Scientist, Intel.