CSSA – WORKSHOP ON CYBER SECURITY

Workshop on “Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: Threats, Defenses, and Opportunities”
Date: 19 September 2025
Venue: Seminar Hall, Convergence Academia Complex, Mahatma Gandhi University

Inauguration

The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of the Director, Prof. Dr. Bindu V. R., and respected professors Prof. Dr. Anuj Mohammed, Prof. Dr. Pushpalatha K. P., and Prof. Dr. Jyothisha J. Nair. The dignitaries, invited speakers, faculty, and participants were warmly welcomed. It was reported that the workshop’s objective was to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Prof. Dr. Bindu V. R. delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the growing importance of safeguarding digital systems in an era of rapid technological advancement.

Session I: Understanding Cybersecurity in Today’s Digital World

The first technical session was conducted by Mr. Vishnu R. G., a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience in digital forensics, penetration testing, SOC operations, and security automation. He was reported to have been serving as a Security Specialist at H&R Block and had previously spent over a decade at CDAC India, where he supported law enforcement agencies in cybercrime investigations.

In his session, Mr. Vishnu introduced the foundations of cybersecurity and discussed real-world case studies that illustrated the evolution of attackers and the corresponding defense mechanisms. He elaborated on cyber defense strategies and highlighted the industry perspective, with special reference to skills, roles, and career opportunities in the field. He concluded by addressing the gradual integration of Artificial Intelligence into security practices. Participants reported that his session was clear, practical, and highly relevant to the current cybersecurity landscape.

Session II: AI and the Future of Cybersecurity

The second session was handled by Ms. Anjana J., a distinguished PhD Researcher at Digital University Kerala, specializing in computer and network security. Her research was reported to focus on incident response, anomaly detection, and secure network design. She was recognized as the developer of REINFENSE, a neuro-symbolic framework for real-time anomaly detection, and as an active contributor to the ASPER project funded by MeitY.

In her presentation, Ms. Anjana introduced AI and ML concepts relevant to cybersecurity and explained how attackers were employing AI to design adaptive threats, while defenders were using AI for anomaly detection, intrusion prevention, and automated responses. She further elaborated on the challenges of bias, adversarial AI, and ethical dilemmas in AI-driven security. She concluded her talk by outlining potential research opportunities and career paths in AI-driven cybersecurity, which the participants found highly forward-looking and intellectually stimulating.

Discussion and Interaction

A joint discussion was held with both speakers, Mr. Vishnu R. G. and Ms. Anjana J., who addressed the queries of students and faculty members. It was reported that the interaction successfully combined real-world industry experience with cutting-edge academic research, providing the participants with a well-rounded understanding of both practice and innovation in cybersecurity.

Vote of Thanks and Conclusion

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Dr. Jyothisha J. Nair, who expressed gratitude to the Director, faculty members, the invited speakers, and all participants for their support and active involvement.

The event was formally closed with a photo session, which marked the conclusion of a successful and intellectually enriching workshop.