Hyderabad, February 19th, 2025: SHIELD 2025, a two-day premier Cybersecurity Conclave begins at HICC in Madhapur, Hyderabad.
With cybersecurity becoming a critical priority globally, the conclave has brought together the best minds to address the challenges and opportunities of a safer cyberspace.”
The Conclave serves as a transformative platform to enhance Telangana’s cybersecurity ecosystem and will showcase cutting-edge technological innovations to address emerging challenges in cybercrime.
It is the first time that more than 900 stakeholders, such as law enforcement, industry, academia, NGOs, BFSI, and government agencies, have come together to collaborate and fight cybercrimes & cybersecurity threats, together.
Sri Anumula Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister, and Shri D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Industries & Commerce, and Legislative Affairs, Telangana inaugurated the same in the presence of Mr Ravi Guptha, Special Chief Secretary to Government of Telangana – Home Department; Dr Jitender, DGP Telangana; Shikha Goel, Director of Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB); Mr. Avinash Mohanty, Commissioner of Cyberabad Police; Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General of SCSC
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Mr. Revanth Reddy declared ‘we endeavour to make Telangana the number one state in Cybersecurity in India. Digital safety is important for the future of the state’.
Indians lost a staggering Rs 22,812 crore to cyber fraud last year across the country, highlighting a significant rise in cybercrime incidents in India. It is a big threat to our economy. Fake News, misinformation, and deepfake are a few other big threats. My government has been working with experts, and IT companies, allocating sufficient resources to build a robust cybersecurity system. We have developed a dedicated Cyber Crime Helpline 1930. Telangana is one of the few states in India to have a dedicated, 24×7 Cyber Security Bureau. To strengthen effective enforcement, last year the state opened 7 Cyber Crime Police Stations, he added.
We are also changing laws and our governance along with the changing times, Chief Minister added.
Cyber crimes unlike conventional crimes can be committed from anywhere, anytime without being in person unlike in conventional crimes. And it is very tough to nab them after the crime is committed as they operate from different parts of the world. So the best way is to prevent cybercrimes. It is the responsibility of the police. The law enforcement agencies across India and all stakeholders must work together as one single unit, Mr Revanth Reddy suggested
SHIELD 2025 conclave is the first and best initiative and lauded the efforts of the state police.
Telangana must stand as an ideal state to the rest of other states in India in containing cybercrimes he said in his parting words.
Mr D. Sridhar Babu added that the entire world lost 10 trillion US dollars to cybercrimes last year. And India lost Rs 15000 crore. Though losses in Telangana have gone up, our law enforcement agencies could control and minimise the loss.
Our approach should be proactive. Our Chief Minister has come out 2.0 growth strategy for the state. As part of that soon we would like to launch a new Cybersecurity Policy/ Digital Security Policy that will align with digital privacy and a robust cybersecurity ecosystem in the country.
We have set up a Young India Skill University. We are upskilling the government employees. We are forging new collaborations and partnerships to enhance the safe and secured cyber security landscape, D. Sridhar’s Babu informed.
Our recent collaboration with Google is one such example of accelerating AI-led transformation across sectors, Sridhar Babu shared. Plans are also on the anvil to establish a Cyber Defence Center in the state, he shared.
The Chief Minister Virtually launched of Cyber Fusion Centre (CFC) which integrates intelligence for proactive cybercrime prevention; the Child Protection Unit (CPU) dedicated to combating online child exploitation and ensuring digital safety for children and the Security Operations Centre (SOC), a real-time threat monitoring and response.
The SHIELD 2025 logo was also launched on the occasion.
Ravi Guptha, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana said digital security is not just a concern but a priority. Threats, vulnerability, and risks are no longer just confined to the IT Sector but also to Governments and businesses. Security is not just a one-time fix. But it is a continuous effort.
Dr Jitender, Director General of Police (DGP) of Telangana termed SHIELD 2025 as the critical initiative. Technology is at the forefront of modern policing he said. Cyber vigilant can’t be built by law enforcement agencies alone, but all stakeholders’ mutual ties and cooperation are also equally important, he said.
Shikha Goel, Director of Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) said the Hon’ble CM gracing the occasion reflects the commitment of the state to a safe and secured cybersecurity ecosystem in the state.
Over the two days 40 speakers, 15 sessions, 10 panels and 5 workshops will be held on various subjects and topics of importance to cybersecurity, she informed. Delegates from 14 different states are participating in the same.
In a digital era, cybersecurity is throwing a challenge universally. AI-driven threats demand a unified response from all states. SHIELD 2025 is not a conference, it is a mission. It has a dedicated workshop for MSMEs.
SHIELD 2025 forged partnerships with ISB, IIT Hyderabad and NALSAR University. We will soon formalise this partnership by exchanging MoUs with them, the officer announced.
Shri Avinash Mohanty, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad Police said that the conclave has brought together finer minds from all worlds of society to give direction to enhance cyber security to bring down cyber threats.
Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General of the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) graced the occasion and proposed a vote of thanks.
Before the inaugural ceremony, a few keynote addresses were held on the “Future of Cyber Security in a Hyperconnected World”; “AI-Generated CSEAM and Innovation in Policing” and “Beyond Perimeters: Privacy by Design, Security by Default”.
Lt. Gen M.U. Kumar, National Cyber Security Coordinator; Bhuwan Ribhu, Founder, of Just Rights for Children and Dr RS Sharma, Independent Director, Senior IAS Officer, Tanla delivered the keynote address.
Lt. Gen M.U Nair who brings with him experience and expertise in the field of cyber warfare, signal intelligence, and communication and information technology said perfect Cybersecurity is a myth. The cybersecurity and technology landscape is complex and ever-changing. Being aware of cybersecurity tools and practising cyber hygiene.
He urged Telangana state to be part of The Bharat National Cybersecurity Exercise (Bharat NCX), an annual event that helps India prepare for cyber threats.
Dr Sharma who has been a pivotal force in shaping the country’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) policies said India is a hugely hyper-connected country in the world.
India issued 1.4 billion Aadhar cards. Not a single card data was leaked. When Aadhar was conceived several years ago Data Privacy was not a big issue, but, still, it was built so well that it is safe under any modern threats. Similarly, we have 2.4 billion records of Covin. Its data is also safe and secure.
Somany paneil discussions were held during the day. Panelists in various panels shared their diverse perspectives, opinions, and experiences on cybersecurity-related topics and subjects of topical importance to the domain.
A panel on “Tackling Ransomware, Phishing, and Advanced Attacks & securing Critical Infrastructure” focused on strategies to tackle ransomware, phishing, and advanced cyberattacks while implementing robust measures to secure critical infrastructure, ensuring resilience and protection of essential systems. Sidhu Sreedara, CVP Blocking and Tracking, AT & T moderated and other panellists were Santosh Kumar Pydipalli, Scientist_E/ Additional Director at CERT-In; Narendra Nath, JS, GOI; and Benjamin Ambrose, Chief Information Security Officer, NPCI, Hyderabad
“Beyond the Surface: AI’s Role in Deepfake Cyber Threats and Blockchain” panel explored AI’s dual role in deepfake technology. This topic delved into its use in creating deceptive media content and the application of blockchain for enhancing trust, security, and authenticity in combating such cyber threats. Abhishek Kumar, Senior Director Microsoft Threat Protection–Research moderated and the Panelists were Manoj Abraham, IPS, ADGP L&), Kerala; Krishna Sastry Pendyala, Partner-Cyber Security Ernst & Young LLP and Prkshna CV Grandhi, Senior Advocate, JD.
Dr Sampurna Behura, ED ICP moderated a panel participated by OP Singh, IPS (retd), a former DGP, UP & Advisor, ICP; Ravi Kant, Senior Advocate & Country Head, JRCA and Amit Dubey, National Security and Cyber Security Expert on “Shielding Innocence–Combating CSEAM” explored emerging threats, financial linkages, policy-level interventions, and legal frameworks to combat this grave issue and protect vulnerable children worldwide.
The all-women panel discussed on “Empowering Women Fighting Online Harassment & Mobile Mayhem”. The panellists were Ajeetha Begum, IPS; Sakshi Verma, IPS; Dharmendra Sharma, IPS; Bhavani Sri, IAS and Sudarvizhi, IPS addressed online safety for women, tackling harassment and misuse of mobile platforms while exploring challenges, solutions, and the impact of SCSC’s community-driven initiatives in fostering safer digital spaces. Vanita Datla, Vice Chairman, Elico & Managing Director of Elico Healthcare Services moderated
Moderator and a panel comprised of Dhananjay Tingal, ED, AVA; V. Neeraja, IPS, ADGP Cybercrimes, Punjab; Vinny Sharma, Professor, Forensic Science, Galgotias University and Jez Stanley, British High Commissioner discussed International Collaboration and case study on CSEAM (Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material) cases.
The last panel of the day was on “Cyber Predators: The Dark Side of Social Engineering Targeting Industry & Society’s Most Vulnerable”. It discussed the methods to deal with online predators who exploit women & teens for sexual and violent purposes. Sidhu Sridhara, CVP Blocking & Tracking at AT & T; Triveni Singh, IPS (Retd), SP, UP; Vandana Verma, Security Relations Leader, Snyk/OWASP Leader and Sriram B, CEO, Data Security Council of India (DSCI) were the panellists.
Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), Telangana Police, Cyberabad Police, and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) organised the SHIELD 2025 Conclave with the support from India Child Protection (ICP) and Tanla
The key focus areas of SHIELD were Ransomware and Cryptocurrency; Deepfakes and social media; Cyber Resilience for MSMEs; Decoding Nation-State Actors; Protecting Women in the Digital Age; Mule Hunters, Breaking the chain; AI to Redefine Defense strategies; Securing the Supply Chain; Shielding innocence – Combatting CSEAM and VOIP Vigilantes: Internet based scams.
It also featured keynotes, panels, and workshops on critical topics like child and women safety, AI-driven security, and cybercrime prevention.
Besides talks, panels, workshops, and stalls offer an immersive experience featuring cutting-edge Technology Experience Zone, an interactive passage where delegates can engage directly with the most advanced innovations in cybersecurity.
Some of the highlights and Next-Generation AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solutions at the Technology Experience Zone include
• AI-Powered Cybersecurity • Next-Gen Malware Protection • Advanced Email Encryption • AI-Driven Passwordless Authentication,
• Payment Fraud Protection • Facial Recognition • State-of-the-Art Digital Forensic Tools, Live Simulations; Interactive AI Cyber Defense and others.
One of the biggest attractions was the Humanoid Robo—an AI-powered interactive machine that engaged the delegates. In addition, organizations specializing in red-teaming and blue-teaming conducted live cyberattack simulations, demonstrating real-world attack scenarios and defence strategies. This exhibition is not just about showcasing products—it’s about real-time interaction and immersive learning.
Mr Harshvardhan IPS, SP, Cybersecurity & Admin; Mr Naved Khan, CEO, SCSC and prominent CXOs were among the dignitaries who graced the inaugural function of the SHIELD 2025.