The 10th Annual Cyber Security Summit 2024, a landmark event in Sri Lanka’s cybersecurity calendar, was held on 25 and 26 November at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, with Visa as its Strategic Partner for the sixth consecutive year.
This milestone summit brought together global and local cybersecurity experts to address critical challenges arising from Sri Lanka’s rapid digital transformation. As the country advanced in ICT skills and awareness, gaps in cybersecurity implementation continued to threaten essential sectors such as banking, finance, and telecommunications. Challenges included strained IT infrastructure and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, many of whom sought opportunities overseas.
Visa’s ongoing partnership underscored its dedication to bolstering Sri Lanka’s cybersecurity ecosystem. The company contributed its expertise in data protection, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity, focusing on areas like data breach prevention, safeguarding sensitive information, and addressing leak vulnerabilities.
CICRA Group Director/CEO Boshan Dayaratne remarked: “Visa’s consistent support over six years has been instrumental in the success of our summit. Their contributions enriched our efforts to tackle Sri Lanka’s pressing cybersecurity challenges.”
Visa Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Avanthi Colombage added: “Visa is proud to support CICRA’s 10th Annual Cyber Security Summit, bringing our global expertise in payments security. In an era where AI and organised cybercrime are on the rise, it’s essential to invest in risk infrastructure and implement security by design to protect organisations. Visa remains committed to enhancing Sri Lanka’s payments ecosystem through innovation and partnerships for safer digital experiences.”
The summit served as a vital platform for knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and collaboration, equipping Sri Lanka with actionable strategies to fortify its expanding digital landscape against cyber threats.