CERT-In Hosts ‘SAMVAAD 2026’: India Unveils Next-Gen Cybersecurity Audit Framework

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who inaugurated the event, emphasized the state’s emerging role beyond tourism.

In a major step toward strengthening India's cybersecurity architecture, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) successfully hosted its flagship three-day national conference, "CERT-In SAMVAAD 2026," bringing together over 500 cybersecurity leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to chart the future of cyber resilience in the country.

Held from April 27 to April 29, 2026, at BITS Pilani's K. K. Birla Goa Campus, the conference focused on the theme "Securing Digital Bharat through Future-Ready Audits: Adapting, Assuring, Advancing," highlighting the critical role of advanced cybersecurity audits in safeguarding India's rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

National Platform for Cybersecurity Leadership and Collaboration

The high-impact conference brought together Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), representatives from regulatory bodies, CERT-In empanelled auditing organisations, and cybersecurity professionals from across sectors.

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who inaugurated the event, emphasized the state's emerging role beyond tourism.

"Goa is not just about sun, sand and sea anymore—it is fast emerging as a hub for cybersecurity innovation and collaboration," he said, underscoring CERT-In's pivotal role as India's nodal agency for cyber preparedness.

Innovation Spotlight: Launch of AMBAK Cyber Audit Platform

A key highlight of SAMVAAD 2026 was the launch of AMBAK (Audit Monitoring, Benchmarking, Analysis and Kinetic Interventions)—a next-generation framework designed to modernize cybersecurity audits in India.

The platform represents a shift toward:

• Continuous monitoring and benchmarking of cybersecurity audits

• Data-driven risk analysis and intervention strategies

• Standardisation of audit practices across sectors

Experts say AMBAK could significantly enhance audit transparency, efficiency, and real-time threat response capabilities.

Future-Ready Audits for Emerging Technologies

The conference placed strong emphasis on preparing India's cybersecurity ecosystem for emerging and complex digital threats.

Key discussion areas included:

• Cybersecurity of space assets such as UAVs and satellites

• AI-driven cyber threats, including frontier AI models

• Blockchain security and quantum communication systems

• Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and future encryption frameworks

• Software and hardware bill of materials (SBOM, CBOM, QBOM, HBOM) implementation

Sessions also explored advanced audit methodologies such as AI-driven red teaming, automated auditing tools, and supply chain risk assessments—reflecting a transition toward predictive and adaptive cybersecurity strategies.

Skill Development Push: Cyber Certification for Rural Finance

In a significant move toward inclusive digital security, CERT-In, in collaboration with the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and NABARD, launched an advanced cybersecurity certification programme for Rural Financial Institutions (RFIs).

This initiative aims to:

• Strengthen cybersecurity awareness at the grassroots level

• Build institutional capacity in rural banking systems

• Protect vulnerable financial networks from cyber threats

Over 87 Technical Presentations Showcase Cutting-Edge Solutions

The conference featured a rigorous selection of over 87 presentations from more than 200 submissions, covering both technical and management tracks.

Delegates were exposed to:

• Automation in cybersecurity audits

• Risk-based audit frameworks

• Cloud, API, and operational technology security

• Compliance enhancement strategies

• Continuous improvement models for audit quality

These sessions provided actionable insights into strengthening audit readiness and building resilient digital infrastructures.

Industry-Government Synergy Drives Cyber Resilience

A high-level panel discussion on "Auditing the Future: Securing Emerging Technologies through Next-Generation Cybersecurity Audits" brought together experts from institutions including the Reserve Bank of India, BSE Limited, Airtel Payments Bank, and the Satcom Industry Association of India.

Speakers emphasized the need for:

• Stronger public-private collaboration

• Standardised audit frameworks

• Continuous upskilling of cybersecurity professionals

CERT-In officials highlighted that SAMVAAD 2026 serves as a critical platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Strengthening India's Digital Security Backbone

With India rapidly advancing toward a digital economy powered by AI, fintech, and digital public infrastructure, the importance of robust cybersecurity mechanisms has never been greater.

Senior Director at CERT-In, Shri S. S. Sarma, noted that the conference is instrumental in enabling auditing organisations to upgrade practices and collectively strengthen national cyber resilience.

Towards a Secure Digital Future

The outcomes of SAMVAAD 2026 underscore India's proactive approach to cybersecurity—shifting from reactive defenses to proactive, audit-driven resilience.

With the introduction of advanced frameworks like AMBAK, focus on emerging technologies, and expansion of skill development initiatives, India is laying the foundation for a secure, scalable, and future-ready digital ecosystem.

As cyber threats grow in complexity and scale, initiatives like SAMVAAD signal a decisive step toward safeguarding Digital Bharat while enabling innovation and economic growth.