c0c0n 2025 cybersecurity conference in Kochi: Dates, speakers, workshops & key highlights

Kochi: The 18th edition of c0c0n, one of Asia’s biggest and oldest cybersecurity and hacking conferences, is set to take place in Kochi from October 7 to 11, 2025. Hosted at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty, this five-day event will bring together cybersecurity researchers, law enforcement, policymakers, industry leaders, and ethical hackers from across the globe to collaborate on securing the digital future.

Organised by Kerala Police in association with the Information Security Research Association (ISRA), c0c0n 2025 will follow the mission of “Connect | Collaborate | Contribute”, with the theme: “Securing the Cyber Future Together.”

Speaker line-up and 6 dynamic conference tracks

The conference will feature an elite roster of national and international cybersecurity experts, including:

• Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary (Chief Guest)
• Dr Ajay Kumar, Chairman, UPSC
• Rear Admiral Sanjay Sachdeva, Director General, Defence Cyber Agency
• Nathan Hamiel, Sr. Director of Research, Kudelski Security

Cyber leaders from NPCI, Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, and top global security firms

Talks will span six core tracks: Policy, Technical, AI, Finance, Online Child Safety (CSEA), and Law Enforcement. Topics range from AI threats, national security, cybercrime law, fintech security, to child protection in the digital age.

In addition to the keynotes, the conference will feature a broad roster of experts delivering talks across multiple tracks:

* Rajesh Kumar (CEO, I4C, Ministry of Home Affairs)

* Hea-Eun Moon (Director, Red Alert Lab, South Korea) on air-gap and ICS security

* Pravin Kumar (CISO & DPO, NPCI)

* Johnson K Jose (CTO, Federal Bank)

* Sony A (SGM, Digital / Technology, South Indian Bank)

* Christopher Dio Chavez (Chief Hacking & Defence Officer, RADAR IT)

* Nick Pailthorpe (Global Director, Government Relations, Kodex)

* Jairam Ramesh (Director Cyber Security, AIA Digital+)

* Sunho (Marvin) Lee (Senior Security Researcher, NSHC)

* Suresh Sharma (EVP, Group CISO, Motilal Oswal)

* Others from cyber, fintech, product security, incident response, academic research, law and enforcement

Session titles include:

* Defending The Future in an Uncertain World: AI, Risk, and Resilience (Nathan Hamiel)• Silent Protocols Piercing the Air-Gap: Blind Spots in ICS Security (Hea-Eun Moon)

* Other tracks cover Law Enforcement, AI/ML, Technology/Research, GRC / Policy, and specialised topics such as cloud, telecom, hardware, secure code, etc.

14 elite workshops and themed villages for hands-on hacking

Before the main conference begins, three days of intensive workshops (Oct 7–9) will equip 400+ participants with hands-on skills in:

* Windows Kernel Exploitation (Foundation & Advanced)

* Multi-Cloud Security (AWS, Azure & GCP) [2025 Edition]

* Offensive OSINT

* Android Security Primer

* Automotive Security (hands-on)

* Telecom / RAN & Core Network Protection (Mastering Telecom Security)

* SIGINT / ELINT / COMINT / Electronic Warfare sessions

* StealthOps (Red Team Operations 2025 Edition)

* HackTheWeb: Pentesting Beyond Basics

* Secure Code Audit – Exclusive Edition

* Hacking Android, iOS, IoT apps by Example

* Breaking Smart Kiosks with Windows 11 OS Hardening

* Offensive Tradecraft Development

Meanwhile, the interactive “Villages” zone will run on Oct 10–11, offering real-world, immersive experiences in:

* RC Engineering Village

* Radio Village

* AI Village

* Telecom Village

* Adversary Village

* IoT Security Village

* Lock Picking Village

* Phishing Village organisers are drawn from security communities, research groups, and domain experts.

Special events, innovation displays & national participation

The event will also feature:

– Drone Exhibition with display of the latest payload-carrying drones

– Technological display by VSSC

– Launch of revamped KIDGLOVE initiative

– Humanoid AI Robotics display

– Cyberdome projects display.

C0c0n 2025 expects over 3,000 attendees including police officers from across India, representatives from NIA, CBI, RAW, IB, NCRB, CERT-In, startups, ethical hackers, students, and global tech firms.

The Opening Ceremony will be held on October 10, 2025, inaugurated by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, in the presence of MP Hibi Eden. The Closing Ceremony on October 11 will be led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Organisers emphasise that cybersecurity needs to evolve beyond traditional policing, and c0c0n serves as a rare platform where government, industry, academia, and civil society converge to address emerging threats in the cyber domain.