Pune: The IdentityShield Summit 2026, India’s premier platform dedicated to AI-powered identity security, successfully concluded today of high-impact deliberations in Pune on January 16 and 17th. Organized by miniOrange, the event has brought together cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, policymakers, defense officials, and technology innovators from across the country.
The opening day set the tone for a robust two-day agenda featuring in-depth discussions on Zero Trust frameworks, Identity and Access Management (IAM), digital trust architectures, AI-driven cyber threats, post-quantum cryptography, and real-world cyber defense strategies.
“India must transition from being a service provider to becoming a global cybersecurity producer. We need a ‘Cybersena’ movement to bridge the gap of nearly two million skilled cybersecurity professionals,” said Anirban Mukherjee, Founder & CEO, miniOrange.
“Over the past 14 years, miniOrange has remained completely self-sustained, investing more than USD 65 million without external funding to build world-class cybersecurity products. This summit brings global-standard intelligence to India by uniting government, industry, and innovators. By fostering a strong domestic product ecosystem and practicing rigorous digital hygiene, India can secure its digital future and emerge as the world’s trusted cybersecurity backbone,” he added.
Highlighting the need for technological sovereignty, Maj Gen Krishnendu Kumar Chakrabarti, Chief Signal Officer, Southern Command, emphasized the importance of indigenous cybersecurity capabilities.
“India must progressively shift from foreign cybersecurity vendors to indigenous solutions to ensure national autonomy,” he said at the summit.
Referring to India’s success in long-distance Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), he urged startups and public sector undertakings to lead the development of quantum-secure communication systems, stressing that bridging the talent gap and achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat are critical to navigating the evolving cyber battlefield.
Brijesh Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra.
“Cyber threats to democracy will intensify over the next 10 to 20 years, with information warfare emerging as a major national security challenge. Defence today is no longer limited to borders; it includes digital infrastructure, financial systems, corporate networks and, most importantly, public trust. In a software-driven, cyber-physical world, disinformation can weaken institutions, erode confidence and shape outcomes even before any physical conflict begins.”
Pravin Swami, Head of Cyber Cell, PCMC.
“Traditional online OTP and lottery scams are no longer the primary threat; investment-related frauds are rising at an alarming rate. The Maharashtra Police has already recovered and handed over nearly ₹24 crore to victims. Citizens must restrict online shopping to trusted and verified platforms only. Of the approximately ₹50,000 crore lost to investment fraud across India last year, nearly ₹1,000 crore originated from Mumbai alone. A major enabler of these crimes is the easy availability of mule accounts, which can be procured for amounts ranging from as little as ₹2,000 to as high as ₹5 lakh”
Speaking during a dedicated session on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration, Commander Vivek Yadav, Director (Cybersecurity and Quantum), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), said:
“Legacy algorithms can still be adapted to provide adequate quantum resilience for existing security infrastructures for a reasonably long duration. Meanwhile, post-quantum cryptographic algorithms must continue to evolve and mature through rigorous evaluation and real-world field testing.”
Addressing the rising threat of digital fraud, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Member of Parliament, Telangana, called for a unified national response.
“India needs a coordinated defense involving banks, telecom operators, and the media to secure our digital ecosystem against UPI frauds and phishing scams. By aligning with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ plan to raise 5,000 ‘Cyber Commandos,’ we can significantly strengthen our national cyber infrastructure. Proactive policy measures and grassroots awareness are key to protecting every citizen in this rapidly evolving digital age,” he said.
The summit hosted over 5,000 participants and more than 75 cybersecurity experts from India and abroad, making it one of the largest identity-centric cybersecurity gatherings in the country.
The two days featured keynote addresses, high-energy panel discussions, expert roundtables and interactive sessions, with conversations focused on practical execution frameworks, cross-sector collaboration and positioning identity security as a foundational pillar of national digital trust.
As Pune continues to strengthen its reputation as a technology and innovation hub, discussions at the IdentityShield Summit 2026 highlighted India’s growing role in shaping future global cybersecurity standards and identity-led security frameworks.