The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), Cyberabad Police, and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC) jointly inaugurated SHIELD 2025, a high-impact two-day conclave on cybersecurity, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). The event was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Anumula Revanth Reddy, who launched the conclave in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Shri D. Shridhar Babu, Minister for IT & Industries, Telangana, Shri Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, and Dr. Jitender, IPS, Director General of Police, Telangana.
SHIELD 2025, Telangana’s flagship cybersecurity conclave, was attended by over 900 delegates, drawing key leaders from law enforcement, government, academia, and industry. The event brought together senior officers from law enforcement agencies across 14 Indian states, cybersecurity experts, industry leaders from sectors such as IT, BFSI, telecom, defense, and public policy organizations. A special focus was placed on engaging the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, with students from various academic institutions participating in the conclave.
A unique aspect of SHIELD 2025 was its live-streaming across multiple locations, including a parallel hall at the venue, the Cyberabad Commissionerate, where 100 cyber warriors were actively engaged in real-time discussions, and the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), ensuring widespread participation. The discussions highlighted the growing need for collaborative cybersecurity efforts, aimed at building a future-ready and resilient digital ecosystem.
The Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Anumula Revanth Reddy, delivered a powerful keynote address emphasizing the importance of strengthening Telangana’s cybersecurity infrastructure amidst growing digital threats. He highlighted the role of TGCSB in preventing cybercrimes, citing its notable achievement in the development of the Centralized Cybercrime Portal, which is now used across 27 states in India. The portal’s role in victim restitution was also mentioned, with ₹183 crores refunded to over 18,000 victims in 2024 alone.
Shri Reddy stressed the importance of building a skilled cybersecurity workforce and fostering collaboration among government agencies, industry leaders, and academia. He called for the integration of advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, and cloud security into Telangana’s digital infrastructure. He also underscored the state’s commitment to investing in cybersecurity innovations and enhancing intelligence-sharing frameworks to ensure a safer digital environment for citizens and businesses alike.
IT Minister Shri D. Sridhar Babu further emphasized Telangana’s rapid digital transformation and the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect critical infrastructure. He also announced the ongoing discussions to establish the Telangana Cyber Defence Center (TGCDC), a centralized unit designed to defend police departments and government agencies against evolving cyber threats.
Ravi Gupta, IPS, Special Chief Secretary, Home Department, Telangana, echoed the importance of preparedness across government sectors. He outlined the state’s dedication to strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, enforcing best practices, and fostering innovation to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.
The Director General of Police, Dr. Jitender, applauded TGCSB’s proactive approach to combating cybercrime, highlighting the success of AI-driven investigative tools such as Crime OS. He emphasized the need for specialized training programs to tackle threats like ransomware and AI-powered cyberattacks.
Smt. Shikha Goel, IPS, Director of TGCSB, spoke about the rising threat of AI-driven cybercrimes, such as deepfakes and financial fraud. She announced that SHIELD 2025 would foster collaborations with institutions like IIT Hyderabad, NALSAR, and ISB to enhance cybersecurity research, policy reforms, and skill development. She also highlighted upcoming collaborations with Google to further enhance the state’s cyber defenses.
The Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, Shri Avinash Mohanty, focused on the role of technology in modern law enforcement. He reiterated the necessity of integrating cybersecurity into law enforcement operations and discussed how technology-driven policing and awareness campaigns are helping curb cybercrime.
The event culminated with the launch of several strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering Telangana’s cyber defenses. The Chief Minister inaugurated the Cyber Fusion Center (CFC), Cyber Protection Unit (CPU), and Security Operations Center (SOC), all designed to enhance real-time cyber threat monitoring and incident response. These units will serve as essential assets in the state’s ongoing efforts to fortify its cybersecurity capabilities.
A standout feature of SHIELD 2025 was the Technology Experience Zone (TEZ), where attendees could explore cutting-edge cybersecurity innovations. The zone featured live cyberattack simulations, AI-powered threat detection systems, digital forensics tools, and immersive technologies such as AR/VR training modules. Delegates also had the opportunity to interact with AI-powered humanoids, showcasing the role of AI, drones, and other technologies in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and skill development, SHIELD 2025 proved to be a transformative platform for the state of Telangana, as well as for the broader cybersecurity community. The event successfully bridged the gap between government, law enforcement, academia, and industry, driving forward the vision of a safer and more resilient digital future.
As SHIELD 2025 sets the stage for the future of cybersecurity, the ongoing partnerships and initiatives formed during the conclave are expected to play a pivotal role in addressing the dynamic challenges of the digital age. Through continued collaboration and innovation, Telangana is poised to lead the way in cybersecurity, ensuring a safer digital environment for all.
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