Shikha Goel, Director of Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, along with Avinash Mohanty, Cyberabad Police Commissioner; Joel Davis, Joint CP Traffic, Cyberabad, and Ramesh Kaza, secretary general of Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) at a meeting on the announcement of SHIELD 2025 cyber security conclave at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
With cybercrime becoming an increasingly pressing concern, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) announced SHIELD 2025, a cybersecurity conclave aimed at strengthening the State’s digital defence.
The details of the event were unveiled at a curtain-raiser held at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in Banjara Hills on Monday.
Scheduled to take place on February 18 and 19 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), SHIELD 2025 aims to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, industry leaders, academia, NGOs, financial institutions, and government bodies.
This comes at a time when India recorded cybercrime losses of ₹22,812 crore, with Telangana alone recording 1,20,869 cases. The TGCSB helped return ₹183 crores to 17,912 victims. The rising instances of cybercrime underscore the urgent need for collaboration among key stakeholders to secure the State’s critical digital infrastructure, especially given Telangana’s thriving IT sector and extensive e-governance services, the officials said.
The event will feature panel discussions and workshops covering topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital forensics, ransomware, cryptocurrency, deep fakes, misinformation on social media, AI-driven solutions for cybercrime, and the cybersecurity challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises. Special focus will be given to the role of cybersecurity in safeguarding women and children in the digital space.
A key highlight of SHIELD 2025 will be an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge innovations from leading cybersecurity companies and startups across the globe. Visitors can expect to witness demonstrations of advanced technologies, including interactive robots and drone systems designed to enhance digital security frameworks.
In addition, exclusive closed-door sessions for law enforcement officials will be conducted, featuring domain experts who will devise strategies to tackle emerging cybercrime – including mule hunting, VOIP frauds, ransomware attacks, cryptocurrency scams and financial fraud. These high-level discussions aim to equip law enforcement with actionable plans to tackle cybercrime effectively.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration between technology, governance, and society to counter the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty said that the conference will serve as an essential platform to strengthen partnerships and develop actionable strategies for the prevention of cybercrime.
Echoing similar sentiments, SCSC secretary general Ramesh Kaza pointed out that the conclave presents a unique opportunity to bridge gaps between industry and law enforcement, ultimately paving the way for a cybersecurity framework that is future-ready and globally competitive.
Published – January 27, 2025 10:01 pm IST
