SHIELD 2025 Concludes with Strong Call for Cybersecurity Awareness, Innovation, and Collaboration
(Judicial Quest News Network)
Hyderabad, February 19, 2025 — The much-anticipated Two-Day Conclave on Cybersecurity, SHIELD 2025, concluded at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) on Wednesday evening, marking a significant step forward in the fight against cyber threats in India. The event, which was a maiden initiative by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, drew attention to critical cybersecurity challenges, from ransomware to protecting vulnerable digital spaces.
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana’s Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) departments, who was the chief guest at the closing ceremony, lauded the event’s success and praised the Cyber Security Bureau for its efforts. Speaking at the event, Ranjan highlighted the growing urgency of cybersecurity in the face of rising digital threats.
“We are now in the midst of a cyber warfare,” Ranjan stated, recalling the Prime Minister’s remarks during the launch of Digital India. “While physical wars may not be ongoing, cyber warfare is very real and increasingly impactful.” He noted that the widespread adoption of digital transactions, accelerated by demonetization in 2016 and the COVID-19 pandemic, has made cybersecurity a priority for both individuals and businesses alike.
A key message from Ranjan was the importance of two-factor authentication (2FA) for securing digital transactions. “The faster people realize its importance, the better their digital footprint will be protected,” he emphasized, stressing that while many initially ridiculed 2FA, its necessity is becoming evident as cyberattacks become more sophisticated.
Ranjan also urged enterprises and startups to prioritize cybersecurity. “Startups should not think cybersecurity is only for big corporations and tech giants. They are equally vulnerable to cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. A breach could harm their reputation and jeopardize their future,” he warned, urging business owners to adopt robust security measures early on.
He went on to highlight the role of the Security Operations Centre (SOC) in shielding Telangana’s government assets from cyberattacks. Set up in 2017, the SOC has successfully prevented any major cyber threats to government infrastructure. “The Telangana police have demonstrated exceptional capability in solving even the most complex cybercrime cases, earning them a stellar reputation,” Ranjan added.
The conclave also saw the signing of MoUs with prestigious institutions such as IIT Hyderabad, ISB, and NALSAR University, further strengthening the collaborative efforts to advance cybersecurity in India. Ranjan suggested adding partnerships with organizations like C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) and the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE), emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and collaboration to tackle evolving cyber threats.
DGP Dr. Jitender, who was the guest of honor, spoke about the growing impact of cybercrimes on innocent people’s finances. “Cyber frauds are causing immense financial harm to citizens, and we must ensure that the public’s hard-earned money is protected,” he said, reaffirming the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and other stakeholders in combating cybercrime.
Shikha Goel, Director of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), expressed her satisfaction with the success of SHIELD 2025, highlighting the event’s focus on critical cybersecurity topics such as ransomware, cryptocurrency threats, cyber resilience for MSMEs, deepfakes, and the protection of women in the digital age. “This is just the beginning,” she stated, noting that the partnerships forged at the conclave will be formalized through MoUs in the near future.
The conclave featured over 1000 delegates from 14 states and included interactive panels, talks, and workshops covering a range of cybersecurity topics. One of the highlights was the Technology Experience Zone, where delegates had the opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge innovations in the cybersecurity space.
Among the notable figures at the conclave were Avinash Mohanty, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, who welcomed delegates, and other prominent officers such as Joel David, Jt CP and Harshvardhan IPS, SP Cybersecurity & Admin. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ramesh Kaza, Secretary General of SCSC.
With a focus on public-private partnerships, SHIELD 2025 has set the stage for a more secure digital future, where innovative solutions and collaborations are key to tackling the growing threat of cybercrime.
