Cybercrime and cybersecurity threats are not only a growing global concern but also a major local threat, particularly in Hyderabad, due to a strong IT sector. A case in point is the ever-increasing incidences of cybercrimes in Telangana State, which tend to impact all sections of society.
According to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), in 2024, as many as 1,20,869 persons fell prey to various cybercrimes in Telangana State. On its part, after dealing with these many cases, the TGCSB could manage to return about Rs 183 crore to 17,912 victims
The significant increase in cybercrime highlights all stakeholders’ urgent need for action. Given the huge presence of the State’s IT sector and critical e-governance services being offered, there is a dire need to secure the State’s digital infrastructure against malicious attacks, Shikha Goel, DG CID, and In-charge Director, TGCSB, on 27 January 2025 said.
To have a better response to tackle these threats, the TGCSB has introduced ‘SHIELD’, a premier annual cybersecurity conclave from this year onwards. The SHIELD 2025, the first in the proposed series of annual cybersecurity conclaves, was officially announced today at a curtain-raiser event at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), Banjara Hills on 27 January 2025.
The conclave, which will take place from February 18 to 19 in Hyderabad, will bring together and foster collaboration among key stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, industry professionals, academic institutions, NGOs, global technology leaders, policymakers, and government bodies.
The conclave will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops on various topics such as Al, blockchain, digital forensics, ransomware, cryptocurrency, deepfakes, misinformation in social media, Al-driven solutions for cybercrime, cyber resilience for MSMEs, nation-state actors, industry resilience, women & child safety in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
The event will also feature exhibitions and stalls from leading cybersecurity companies and startups from around the world. They will showcase their latest innovations, such as interactive robots & drone technology, to name a few.
“SHIELD-2025 is more than just a conclave. It is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together in building a secure and resilient digital future. With cybersecurity becoming a critical priority globally, this event will bring together the best minds to address the challenges and opportunities of a safer cyberspace,” Shikha Goel said.
