Kanpur, February 16, 2025: C3iHub, the Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Kanpur, officially inaugurated the Grand Finale of the HACK IITK Global Security Hackathon 2025. The three-day event, which began on February 16, will conclude with a valedictory session on February 18 at IIT Kanpur. Bringing together some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, the hackathon offers a platform for showcasing cutting-edge skills and innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing security challenges of the digital age.

The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Gulshan Rai, former National Cybersecurity Coordinator and former Director General of CERT-In, who attended as the chief guest. He was joined by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Project Director of C3iHub and Dr. Tanima Hajra, COO and Interim CEO of C3iHub. Their participation was pivotal in setting the tone for the event’s success.

Dr. Gulshan Rai took the opportunity to emphasize the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, stating, “There is a paradigm shift in cybersecurity as new challenges emerge every day. The entire cybersecurity space is becoming more complex than ever, making the themes of this hackathon—Web3 Security, IT Security, and Cyber Crime—highly relevant.” His words highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world and set the stage for the event's discussions and innovations.

Prof. Manindra Agrawal also highlighted the significance of hackathons in the context of skill development, noting, “Hackathons play a crucial role in developing technical expertise, and young talent can contribute significantly to the field of cybersecurity.” His remarks resonated deeply with the diverse group of participants, reinforcing the hackathon’s role as an essential platform for nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

HACK IITK 2025 is backed by an impressive line-up of partners, including Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), Saptang Labs, SecureDApp, State Bank of India (SBI), and Amazon Web Services (AWS) as the Cloud Partner, alongside Hack2Skill and Prutor as Platform Partners. These strategic partnerships have played a vital role in ensuring the hackathon offers not only a world-class competitive experience but also the essential resources, mentorship, and industry expertise required to push the boundaries of cybersecurity innovation.

With over 7,000 registrations in the Solution Track and 35 pioneering startup ideas in the Startup Track, HACK IITK has quickly become a key event in the global cybersecurity space. The competition offers over ₹30 lakhs in prizes, including ₹5 lakhs in cash and AWS Cloud Credits for the winners. The Solution Track welcomes students from all levels to tackle pressing cybersecurity issues, such as IT Security, Cyber Crime, and Web3 Security. At the same time, the Startup Track provides emerging startups with a platform to showcase innovative solutions across a wide range of topics, including AI/ML Security, Automotive Security, and Privileged Access Management (PAM).

As the competition enters its final stages, the Solution Track has seen 201 participants from 54 teams qualify for the finals, while 11 startups have been shortlisted in the Startup Track. These teams, along with their innovative solutions, reflect the high level of participation and the caliber of ideas presented. Their inclusion in the finals marks this event as a true celebration of innovation in cybersecurity.

Alongside the hackathon, C3iHub is excited to announce the call for applications for the second cohort of the Cyber Security Accelerator Program (CSAP) under the CPS-DIAL initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This program is designed to accelerate the growth of promising cybersecurity startups by offering funding support of up to INR 2 Crore, expert mentorship, and access to IIT Kanpur’s extensive innovation ecosystem. Over a 9-month period, selected startups will receive tailored guidance to refine their business strategies and accelerate their growth. The program builds upon the success of its first cohort and aims to empower startups working in emerging cybersecurity domains, including Web3 Security, Privacy Enhancing Technologies, Mobile Security and Mobile Forensics, Supply Chain Security, Threat Intelligence, Automotive Security, Adversary AI Threat Detection & Security of AI, and LLM Security.

C3iHub’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting cybersecurity entrepreneurs underscores the growing importance of such initiatives in the digital age. As the hackathon and the CSAP continue to empower participants and startups alike, C3iHub stands as a critical hub for cybersecurity innovation and entrepreneurship in India.

About C3iHub, IIT Kanpur

C3iHub is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. C3iHub addresses the cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems in its entirety. C3iHub detects security vulnerabilities in critical cyber-physical systems, develops security tools to address the vulnerabilities, nucleates start-ups and partners with industries to commercialize the security tools, and provides training to the next generation of cybersecurity researchers.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.