Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka has one of the most secure digital ecosystems in the world,Home Minister G. Parameshwara said while inaugurating the third edition of the CIDECODE Cybercrime Investigation Summit in Bengaluru on Friday.
The summit was organised by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR) at a private hotel in the city.
Addressing the gathering,the minister said Karnataka is not just a state but a global brand,with the world looking at Bengaluru as a hub of innovation and technology.
He added that the state government has taken stringent measures to curb cybercrime by establishing specialised cybercrime units equipped with advanced skills, training and technology to investigate cyber attacks and collect digital evidence.
He said the government has set up 43 Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police stations across all districts and major cities in the state to enhance cyber security for citizens.
Parameshwara also noted that the state has created a favourable ecosystem for cybersecurity innovation by collaborating with companies specialising in artificial intelligence,cloud computing, cybersecurity compliance and risk management.
He emphasised that partnerships with the private sector and international organisations are essential to enhance digital safety and address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
Discussions on issues such as dark web activities, cryptocurrency tracking,financial fraud prevention and strengthening digital forensic laboratories are particularly relevant in the current scenario,he said.
The minister added that the establishment of CCITR has significantly strengthened cybercrime investigation, enhanced research capabilities and equipped police personnel with advanced technical skills.
Since its inception, the centre has trained more than 62,000 personnel, including police officers and members of various state and central agencies.
Pointing out that cybercrime is not limited by geography and continues to evolve with technology, he stressed the need to tackle emerging threats such as financial frauds, cryptocurrency-based crimes, dark web drug networks and data breaches through both technological capability and stronger legal frameworks.
Emphasising the need for collaboration and innovation in tackling cybercrime, M.A.Saleem said the CIDECODE Summit has evolved into an important platform for strengthening the country’s cybercrime response.
Speaking at the CIDECODE-2026 Cybercrime Investigation Summit organised by the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR), he said the event brings together subject-matter experts from various domains and digital forensic partners to showcase the latest advancements in investigative technology.
The summit brought together over 150 senior police officers from Karnataka and about 60 officers from across India, along with experts from government, industry and international organisations to discuss emerging cyber threats and investigative strategies.
Addressing the gathering,Sunil Kumar Dhareshwar said the Infosys Foundation is proud to support the CCITR initiative hosted by the Criminal Investigation Department,with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) as its knowledge partner.
He said the initiative reflects a commitment to equip law enforcement agencies with advanced resources and training to counter rising cybercrime.
This year’s summit featured two parallel technical tracks for focused discussions and deeper technical engagement.
A hands-on cryptocurrency investigation workshop was also introduced to address the growing need for expertise in cryptocurrency forensics and financial fraud investigations.
Key themes discussed during the summit included emerging technologies,admissibility of blockchain evidence, cyber jurisprudence under the IT Rules, transnational digital evidence trails,CSAM enforcement, international cooperation in cross-border investigations and strengthening digital forensic laboratories.
Vinayak Godse said successive editions of the CIDECODE Summit demonstrate the commitment to standardising investigative protocols and strengthening institutional capacity to respond effectively to evolving cyber threats.
More than 12 leading digital forensic technology companies set up exhibition stalls at the event, showcasing innovative investigative tools and solutions and highlighting the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the technology industry in combating cybercrime.
The event was attended by M.A.Saleem,Pronab Mohanty, Sunil Kumar Dhareshwar and Vinayak Godse, among others.
