- AI and armed forces unite to counter evolving cyber threats.
- Experts emphasize the balance of human intelligence and machine precision.
- Cross-sector collaboration hailed as the future of cyber defence.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Summit & Awards (GAISA 5.0) hosted a landmark session on “Predicting and Preventing Cyber Attacks,” bringing together India’s top cybersecurity minds and defence strategists for a deep-dive discussion on fortifying the nation’s digital frontlines. Held on April 19 at Hall 19, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the session came at a time when India’s cyber landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace—and so are the threats.
Chaired by Air Vice Marshal (Dr.) Devesh Vatsa VSM (Retd), an advisor in cyber and critical technologies, the session focused on how artificial intelligence and predictive models can be leveraged to strengthen cybersecurity posture. Dr. Vatsa highlighted that the modern digital battlefield requires agility, foresight, and multi-sector synergy to outpace sophisticated cyber attacks.
Pallab Maji, Founder & CEO of Gahan AI, demonstrated how AI-based systems can detect anomalies in real time and thwart potential threats before damage is done. He advocated for AI-enabled decision-making frameworks that evolve alongside the threat landscape.
Representatives from India’s tri-services – Group Captain B Karthik (IAF), Commodore Atul Deswal (Navy), and Brigadier JN Bhat (Army) – emphasized the growing significance of cyber warfare and the need for unified threat intelligence, joint protocols, and proactive defense infrastructure across all branches of the armed forces.
Chandra Ballabh, Head of Security & Privacy at HCL Technologies, discussed how enterprise security is no longer just a tech issue, but a boardroom priority. He called for deeper public-private alliances and investments in next-generation cybersecurity tools.
Cyber law expert Pavan Duggal underscored the pressing need for legal reform to complement technological advancement. He outlined how evolving cyber threats demand robust data privacy laws, stronger cybercrime enforcement, and international digital diplomacy.
Following the panel discussion, Shreyans Vasa, Country Manager (SAARC) at Suprema Inc., delivered a keynote on the role of AI in automating incident response and enhancing biometric defences—particularly within high-security and critical infrastructure.
The day concluded with a closed-door roundtable, chaired by Air Marshal Ajay Kumar Arora AVSM VSM (Retd), involving DRDO, DDP, armed forces, and leading industry CXOs. The session centered around actionable roadmaps for integrating AI-led cybersecurity into India’s defence apparatus.
As the world enters an age of digital dependence, the message from GAISA’s cybersecurity session was loud and clear: India is building a cyber defence system where foresight, technology, and national security converge—and it’s not waiting for the next attack to prepare.
