DGP Abraham warns AI-driven threats strain cyber defences

Kochi recently hosted the Kerala Cyber Suraksha Summit 2026, where Director General of Police and Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Manoj Abraham warned about the growing threats posed by AI-driven cybercrime. Speaking at Le Meridien, Abraham highlighted the rapid acceleration of cyberattacks, stating they can now cripple nations, disrupt critical infrastructure, and interfere with military operations without using traditional weapons.

Citing a 389% year-on-year increase in ransomware victims worldwide, he attributed part of this surge to the accessibility of AI-enabled crime tools and automated attack capabilities. In India, reported losses from online fraud reached Rs 19,813 crore in 2025, with about 21.77 lakh complaints filed via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Abraham emphasized that AI has transformed the economics and operational reach of cybercrime, automating tasks that previously required more technical expertise, time, and manpower. This shift demands that organizations develop systems capable of preventing breaches, maintaining essential operations, and recovering quickly from attacks.

Moreover, a global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, estimated at 4.8 million according to ISC2's 2024 workforce study, further compounds the challenge. Abraham noted that Kerala's human capital could potentially address this demand, provided training keeps pace with evolving threats. Speaking at the summit, Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair stressed that cybersecurity alone is insufficient; India must bolster its artificial-intelligence capabilities to ensure true security.

He argued that future conflicts and industries will increasingly blur the lines between physical and digital domains, making sovereign technological capacity crucial. Nair also advocated for developing indigenous AI systems rather than relying solely on foreign technologies. Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden inaugurated the summit and welcomed F9 Infotech's initiative to offer free cybersecurity training, awareness programs, and certification to government educational institutions across Kerala.

F9 Infotech founder Jayakumar Mohanachandran stressed that cybersecurity must encompass ordinary users, businesses, and public institutions, noting that cyber fraud complaints in India have risen to Rs 56,000 crore over the past three years, with over 32 lakh complaints responded to, yet response systems have prevented losses exceeding Rs 11,000 crore.