Cloud Sentinel 2024: Advancing Cloud Security in National Defence

Ministry of DefenceThis workshop, a significant initiative spearheaded by Director of DCC Brig. Dhammika Vidanalage  and aligned with the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) roadmap, highlighted the growing importance of cloud security adaptation in modern defence and national security strategies. President of the CSA Sri Lanka Chapter Mr. Neranjana Dasanayake provided unwavering support in this programme significantly enhancing the value and impact of the event.

Ministry of DefenceThe Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Maj. Gen. Ruwan Kulathunga graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, the CNI emphasized the critical role of secure cloud frameworks in safeguarding sensitive information and enhancing operational capabilities in the defence sector.

Ministry of Defencecloud Sentinel 2024 encompassed sessions on various pivotal topics. All the sessions were conducted by well-qualified professionals from the CSA Sri Lanka Chapter, who have extensive experience in the cloud security domain as follows:

1.     “AI-Powered Cyberattacks and the Rise of Autonomous Threats”; by Brigadier KVP Dhammika USP, Director of DCC – Exploring the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. This session delved into the evolving threat landscape posed by autonomous technologies.

2.     “Collaborative Threat Intelligence: Sharing Insights and Strengthening Defences” by Mr. Lakmal Embuldeniya – Showcasing the power of cooperative intelligence-sharing among cybersecurity stakeholders.

3.     “Shifting Left with DevSecOps: Building Security into the Development Lifecycle” by Mr. Chamil Jeevantha, an expert from SLASSCOM – Focusing on integrating security early in development processes to pre-empt vulnerabilities.

4.     “Advanced Application Security: Protecting Against Modern Web and Mobile Threats” by Mr. Shamila Waduthanthree – Providing actionable insights to counter the ever-changing spectrum of application-level threats.

5.     “Achieving Continuous Cloud Security with CSPM” by Mr. Lasantha Priyankara – Demonstrating how Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) facilitates sustained security compliance in dynamic cloud environments.

6.     “Decoding Cloud Privacy: Building Confidence in Cloud” by Mr. Mohan Chathuranga.

7.     “Cloud security legal framework” by Mr. Samagi Rajakaruna.

8.     “Building a Sovereign Cloud Security Ecosystem for Emerging Nations in the Digital Age” by Mr. Chamath Malinga.

Participants from CSC member countries joined the workshop virtually, ensuring regional representation and collaboration. Attendees included representatives from various organizations under the Ministry of Defence, members of the Sri Lanka Police, and delegates from the CSA. This diverse participation underscored the workshop's role as a unifying force in promoting collective security measures.

The workshop underscores the Defence Ministry’s unwavering commitment under the visionary leadership of the Defence Secretary to fostering innovation and resilience in cybersecurity. The DCC Director’s initiative in organizing Cloud Sentinel 2024 highlights the proactive steps taken by the DCC to address emerging threats and advantage advanced technologies for national and regional defence.

As part of the CSC roadmap, Cloud Sentinel 2024 serves as a testament to the shared commitment among regional partners to strengthen cyber resilience and adapt to the evolving technological landscape. With the success of this workshop, the DCC and CSA Sri Lanka Chapter have set a benchmark for future initiatives, reinforcing the importance of cloud security in the broader context of national and regional defence strategies.