Kerala is witnessing a strong wave of reverse migration as professionals return home, signaling renewed confidence in the state’s economy and job market, said Industries Minister P. Rajeev.
Speaking at the Kerala Cyber Security Summit 2025 in Kochi, organised by F9 Infotech, the minister said that in the first seven months of 2025 alone, nearly 40,000 professionals working abroad have come back to Kerala.
“This isn’t just anecdotal,” Rajeev said. “LinkedIn analytics clearly show the trend. It’s a reflection of Kerala’s growing economic resilience and the expanding scope for high-end jobs and businesses within the state.”
F9 Infotech Launches Free Cybersecurity Support
The minister also announced a major initiative by the Dubai-based F9 Infotech, which will offer 24/7 Cyber Security Monitoring and Alerting completely free of cost to the first 500 companies that register within the next 30 days.
Calling it a “landmark move,” Rajeev said the offer would help startups, MSMEs, and small enterprises access enterprise-grade cybersecurity insights without the usual financial burden.
“This means professional-level assessments of vulnerabilities and defences — something that many smaller firms can’t afford,” he said. “It’s world-class cybersecurity support, offered free to strengthen our ecosystem.”
Participating companies will also receive a comprehensive Security Architecture Review and Assessment, he added.
Cybercrime Now a $10.5 Trillion ‘Economy’
In his keynote address, Gopan Sivasankaran, Director – Middle East, Sophos, noted that cybercrime has grown so vast that it is now considered the third-largest economy in the world, after the US and China.
“Cybercrime is estimated to cost the world around USD 10.5 trillion, and the threats are only getting more sophisticated,” said Sivasankaran, a cybersecurity veteran with two decades of experience. He detailed the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and the need for robust security architecture to counter them.
Summit Focuses on MSMEs and Startups
The Kerala Cyber Security Summit 2025 (KCSS), jointly organised by F9 Infotech, the Government of Kerala, and the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), focused on strengthening the cyber resilience of MSMEs and startups.
The summit underscored a growing awareness among Kerala’s business community about cyber threats, and a strong push to make cybersecurity an integral part of the state’s innovation story.
