Hyderabad, February 19, 2025:
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), Cyberabad Police, and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) successfully inaugurated SHIELD 2025, Telangana’s premier cybersecurity conclave, at HICC, Hyderabad. The conclave was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Anumula Revanth Reddy, in the presence of Guest of Honour, Shri D. Shridhar Babu, Minister for IT & Industries, Telangana, Shri Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, Dr. Jitender, IPS, Director General of Police, Telangana, Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director General CID & I/C Director, TGCSB, Shri Avinash Mohanty, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad & Chairman, SCSC, and Shri Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General, Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC).
The conclave received an overwhelming response, bringing together 900 delegates, including top leaders from law enforcement, industry, government, academia, and students. Attendees included senior officers from law enforcement agencies across 14 states in India, cybersecurity experts, representatives from the IT sector, BFSI, telecom, defense, and public policy organizations, as well as leaders from global tech companies and startups. The event also saw active participation from students and academic institutions, encouraging the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Additionally, the conclave was live-streamed at three different locations, at a parallel hall in the venue, Cyberabad Commissionerate – where 100 cyber warriors were actively engaged and Society for Cyberabad Security Coouncil (SCSC),. The discussions highlighted the growing importance of collaborative cybersecurity efforts, ensuring a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr. Anumula Revanth Reddy, in his keynote address, emphasized the growing cyber threats in an increasingly digital Telangana and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure. He highlighted how cyber resilience is crucial for protecting businesses, government systems, and citizens, especially as Telangana continues to expand its digital footprint. He commended TGCSB’s proactive efforts in cybercrime prevention, particularly its role in the development of the Centralized Cybercrime Portal, which is now used by 27 states, and its efforts in victim restitution, ensuring ₹183 crores were refunded to 18,000 victims in 2024 alone.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, law enforcement, tech leaders, and academia to develop a future-ready cybersecurity framework. He highlighted the importance of leveraging AI, blockchain, and cloud security to strengthen Telangana’s digital infrastructure and emphasized building a skilled workforce in cybersecurity by encouraging young professionals and students to take up careers in this field. He further reiterated the government’s focus on investing in
cybersecurity innovations, enhancing intelligence-sharing frameworks, and establishing key partnerships to ensure a safer digital ecosystem for the state.
Mr D. Sridhar Babu, IT Minister, spoke about Telangana’s rapid digital transformation and how cybersecurity is integral to the state’s IT growth. He emphasized the importance of securing critical infrastructure, fostering cybersecurity startups, and integrating cybersecurity into government initiatives and policies. Additionally, he announced that discussions are underway to establish the Telangana Cyber Defence Center (TGCDC), a dedicated initiative to proactively defend police departments and government agencies against cyber threats. This center will serve as a centralized hub for monitoring, mitigating, and responding to cyber risks, ensuring enhanced security across government institutions.
Sri Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, emphasized the critical need for cybersecurity preparedness across government departments and public services. He spoke about how cyber threats are evolving rapidly, impacting governance, financial systems, and critical infrastructure, making robust security policies and swift action essential. He highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, enforcing best practices, and fostering innovation to stay ahead of cyber threats.
DGP Dr. Jitender commended TGCSB’s significant achievements, including the refund of ₹183 crores to 18,000 victims in 2024, demonstrating the state’s commitment to ensuring swift action and victim restitution. He also highlighted the use of AI-driven investigative tools like Crime OS, which have helped law enforcement enhance cybercrime detection and improve response times. He also emphasized the need for advanced training programs and specialized task forces to tackle emerging threats such as ransomware, financial fraud, and AI-powered cyberattacks.
Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director, TGCSB, highlighted the rising threats of AI-driven cybercrime, deepfakes, and financial frauds, emphasizing the need for proactive countermeasures. She announced that MOUs will be signed with IIT Hyderabad, NALSAR, and ISB, academic partners of SHIELD 2025 for future collaborations in cybersecurity research, policy reforms, and skill development. She also underscored the role of AI-powered tools like Crime OS and real-time threat intelligence systems, along with upcoming collaborations with Google, in strengthening Telangana’s cyber defenses. Reaffirming that SHIELD 2025 is about action, not just discussions, she emphasized the importance of collaboration in shaping a more resilient cybersecurity framework and called for collective efforts to build a safer digital future.
Sri Avinash Mohanty, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad & Chairman, SCSC, highlighted the growing role of technology in law enforcement and crime prevention. He emphasized that cybersecurity is no longer a niche concern but a mainstream law enforcement priority, requiring collaborative efforts between police, private sector security firms, and academic institutions. He spoke about Cyberabad Police’s efforts in tackling cybercrime through
technology-driven policing, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships with industry experts.Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General of SCSC, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, and attendees for their active participation in making SHIELD 2025 a meaningful and action-driven cybersecurity conclave. He acknowledged the collective efforts of law enforcement, industry leaders, and academic partners in fostering a safer digital environment and encouraged continued collaboration to enhance cyber resilience in Telangana and beyond.
The inaugural session set the stage for two days of high-impact discussions, keynote speeches, technology showcases, and strategic collaborations, marking a major milestone in Telangana’s cybersecurity landscape. A significant highlight of the event was the virtual launch of the Cyber Fusion Center (CFC), Cyber Protection Unit (CPU), and Security Operations Center (SOC), by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, these units will play a pivotal role in strengthening Telangana’s cyber defense capabilities. These initiatives aim to enhance real time threat monitoring, streamline cyber incident responses, and fortify the security infrastructure of police and government departments.
A key attraction at SHIELD 2025 is the Technology Experience Zone (TEZ), where delegates can explore AI-driven cybersecurity innovations, live cyberattack simulations, and hands-on defense technologies. The zone features AI-powered threat detection, digital forensics tools, neural network-based facial recognition, AI-driven authentication and payment fraud protection, as well as surveillance drones and AR/VR cybersecurity training modules. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to interact with AI-powered humanoids and witness how AI, drones, and immersive technologies are reshaping cybersecurity.