The Kochi cybersecurity conference c0c0n 2026 was inaugurated on Friday by Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala, with more than 200 speakers and 3,000 participants scheduled to discuss digital threats, artificial intelligence misuse and fraud prevention over two days.
Organised by the Kerala Police, the conference is being held across six tracks focused on emerging vulnerabilities and the evolving methods used by cybercriminals. Discussions are expected to cover ransomware, malware, cyber theft, phishing attacks, deepfakes and the protection of digital infrastructure.
In his inaugural address, Chennithala said threat actors were increasingly deploying advanced technologies and methods to target individuals, institutions and systems. He called for stronger coordination between ethical hackers and law enforcement agencies to identify and respond to vulnerabilities more effectively.
The minister also referred to the controversy surrounding Pegasus spyware, linking the issue to wider concerns about the effect of surveillance technologies on everyday life. “There are so many case studies in our day-to-day discussion about Pegasus,” Chennithala said. He added that discussions about how Pegasus operates in India raised questions because such technologies could threaten normal life.
The conference comes as public services, banking, commerce and communications increasingly depend on interconnected digital systems. The speakers’ focus on artificial intelligence reflects the growing use of AI-enabled tools in phishing campaigns and the creation of deepfakes, according to deputy national security adviser T V Ravichandran, who delivered the presidential address.
Ravichandran said cybercrime was rising alongside industrial and technological advancement. He emphasised the need for robust cybersecurity solutions and cooperation among policymakers, police personnel and ethical hackers to protect the country’s digital infrastructure.
State Bank of India chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty highlighted the financial impact of preventive cybersecurity systems. He said SBI’s measures helped prevent potential fraud losses of approximately Rs 28,000 crore during the 2025–26 financial year.
According to Setty, the bank’s real-time rules prevented suspicious transactions worth approximately Rs 1,000 crore, while transactions involving watch-listed accounts helped avert potential losses of about Rs 27,000 crore. The figures underline the role of real-time monitoring and account-level risk assessment in limiting financial fraud, although the statement did not provide further details about the number of transactions or cases involved.
The event also places ethical hackers and police agencies at the centre of the response to cyber threats. Law enforcement agencies increasingly require technical expertise to assess vulnerabilities, investigate attacks and protect systems, while security researchers need structured channels to report flaws and coordinate with authorities.
State police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar delivered the welcome address and noted the conference’s continuing role in building awareness about digital threats. DGP of the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau Manoj Abraham delivered the vote of thanks.
The two-day c0c0n 2026 conference will continue its discussions across six tracks, with participants examining emerging digital risks and approaches to cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
