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 Saturday.The summit was organised by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research (CCITR) in the city.The Minister said Karnataka is 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 established 43 Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police stations across all districts and major cities in the State to enhance cybersecurity for citizens. Mr. Parameshwara 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 CCITR, since its inception, 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.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. More than 12 leading digital forensic technology companies set up exhibition stalls at the event.Published - March 07, 2026 06:57 pm IST