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India’s national cybersecurity competition, Hack Sky, is launched by Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru

Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru have launched Hack Sky, a national 48-hour hackathon from July 29–30, 2025, to train young cybersecurity talent against real-world digital threats. The event includes AI, infrastructure, and social engineering challenges, with prizes and expert mentoring for winners. A new effort is bringing India’s most talented young people to the forefront of digital defence as cyberattacks increase in complexity and impact. Global cybersecurity pioneer Kaspersky and the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Bengaluru, are collaborating to develop Hack Sky, a 48-hour hackathon that will be held nationwide on the MIT Bengaluru campus from July 29 to 30, 2025. Students, young professionals, and cyber enthusiasts between the ages of 16 and 25 are invited to participate in this intense, real-world cybersecurity competition to put their talents to the test, create workable defences, and tackle new digital threats, such as deep fake misinformation, industrial infrastructure attacks, and scams powered by artificial intelligence. “Developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is crucial as cyber threats become more sophisticated and widespread,” stated Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Cybersecurity Education at Kaspersky. “Hack Sky is a platform that allows researchers, coders, and aspiring white-hat hackers to address real-world threats and create meaningful solutions.” A Hackathon with Real-World Impact Hack Sky is a challenge based on the actual cybersecurity battlefield; it’s not only about code. Three challenging challenge tracks are part of the hackathon, which was created by Kaspersky’s worldwide team: Under Siege: Participants will identify weaknesses and create defence plans for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which are the foundation of vital infrastructure. AI vs. AI: This track challenges participants to develop tools to identify and neutralise a new type of digital deceit, including deep fakes, false information, and scams created by artificial intelligence. Trapping the Honey Trapper: This task, which tests social engineering defence, focuses on spotting and stopping phoney identities and online traps intended to trick people and obtain private information. The winning team or individual will receive ₹1 lakh in cash, cybersecurity training from Kaspersky, and one-on-one mentoring from top international experts as part of the grand prize. MIT Bengaluru, MAHE, supports the prize, demonstrating the school’s dedication to providing tech education that is relevant to the industry. A Growing Cybersecurity Ecosystem In October 2024, Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which Hack Sky abides by. The collaboration seeks to create a long-term cybersecurity innovation pipeline by exchanging knowledge, developing curricula, and providing skills training. “Hack Sky is a Launchpad, not just a competition,” stated Dr. Iven Jose, Director of MIT Bengaluru. “We’re connecting academia and industry with this event, assisting students in solving high-impact problems and providing them with hands-on experience in the future of cybersecurity.” Beyond the Hackathon: Gamified Learning On July 31, one day after the hackathon ends, Kaspersky will organise its well-liked Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS) to wrap up the event. In a high-stress setting, this gamified cybersecurity training experience helps participants develop their strategic thinking and incident response skills by simulating actual corporate intrusions.

Cyber-attacks on India continue even after the understanding with Pakistan: Cyber officials

Cyber-attacks on Indian government sites persist despite de-escalation with Pakistan, with threats emerging from Bangladesh, the Middle East, and beyond. Maharashtra Cyber has intensified efforts against cyber fraud, misinformation, and cyber slavery, saving ₹600 crore since 2019. Maharashtra On May 26, cyber officials said that even after India and Pakistan, hackers from Bangladesh, the Middle East, and the surrounding nations are still attacking Indian government websites, agreed to halt military hostilities. According to officials, just 150 out of the 1.5 crore cyberattacks that were launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam were successful. A top officer from the Maharashtra Cyber Department denied claims to reporters that hackers had stolen information from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, targeted the Election Commission website, and hacked aviation and municipal systems. Investigating cybercrime and upholding security are the responsibilities of Maharashtra Cyber, a central organisation under the Maharashtra government. “The analysis discovered that when India-Pakistan hostilities ceased, cyberattacks on Indian government websites decreased, though they did not entirely stop. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and other Middle Eastern nations are still launching these attacks,” the person stated. According to him, 38 out of 83 fake news items have been removed by Maharashtra Cyber, which has started a focused effort against false information on social media. Under the “Nation First Fact First” campaign, the cyber department will combat false information about the Indian government and military, the official continued. Specialised helplines were established to educate the public about online fraud. To get emergency assistance, citizens can ring 1930 or 1945. The official stated that approximately 100 phone lines are operational at the same time and that analysts contact the caller after receiving the distress call. He stated that both the 1930 and 1945 numbers receive 7,000 calls per day. Since 2019, cyber officials have prevented cyber fraud by taking prompt action against cybercriminals, saving Rs 600 crore. “In the last six months, Rs 200 crore has been saved”. According to authorities, a 39-year-old CA student was detained in Indore for reportedly using seven profiles on X to disparage Hindu deities. Since 2021, the accused has reportedly insulted Hindu deities. BJP MP Medha Kulkarni brought this matter to the attention of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to the official, Maharashtra Cyber has rescued six young people from Maharashtra who were ensnared in cyberslavery in Laos. If the confined teenagers refused to commit cybercrimes, they were tormented by being shocked with electricity and having their nails pulled out. According to him, Maharashtra Cyber has learned that 29 Indians are ensnared in cyberslavery in the Southeast Asian nation.

Andhra police arrest international cyber fraud syndicate, 33 held

Andhra police busted an international cyber fraud ring posing as Amazon support, arresting 33 and seizing tech gear and cash. The gang targeted US citizens via VoIP scams. An alleged worldwide cyber fraud gang based in Achyutapuram, Andhra Pradesh, has been busted by the police, who have arrested 33 individuals and confiscated expensive tech equipment and Rs 3 lakh in cash. Following a Village Revenue Officer’s report and information, Anakapalli district Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnu Swaroop conducted concurrent searches at three key locations on 22 May. Computers, network equipment, and upscale furniture were among the items confiscated. Swaroop told PTI on Friday that this was a full-fledged contact centre that used Amazon support as a front to target US individuals with impersonation and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) fraud. Police claim that job seekers were recruited via internet job boards, educated in impersonation tactics, and then used in scam calls to obtain private financial data from US citizens. Food and lodging were given to the recruits, who were primarily from Assam and northeast India. He claimed that after a week of training, they were on calls the following week. The fraud had four layers: managers, American bank representatives, and dialers impersonating Amazon assistance used “gift card redemptions” and other strategies to trick unsuspecting Americans.

WhatsApp Launches Official App for Apple iPad with Full Feature Support

WhatsApp is now available on the Apple iPad, offering full support for calls, messaging, and multitasking features. The app uses end-to-end encryption and syncs across devices. Following years of requests from tablet users seeking a smoother method of accessing the company’s end-to-end messaging service, Meta announced the debut of WhatsApp for Apple iPad users. Owners of Apple iPads may now share their screen, use the front and rear cameras, and make voice and video chats with up to 32 people using WhatsApp. Slide Over, Split View, and Stage Manager on compatible devices are a few iPadOS multitasking features. This enables users to send messages or view multiple apps simultaneously while online browsing. While on a call, users can also browse the web. Users of Apple iPads will also be able to use the conversation lock feature. Meta mentioned that the software was available for download through the software Store and encouraged users to submit comments. Users’ Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil devices can also be used with Meta’s WhatsApp for iPad. “Regardless of the platform or device you’re messaging on, WhatsApp for iPad uses our industry-leading multi-device technology to keep everything in sync across your iPhone, Mac, and other devices while protecting your messages, calls, and media with end-to-end encryption,” Meta wrote in a blog post announcing the update.

Adidas Confirms Data Breach Exposing Customer Contact Information

Adidas Data Breach claims that a hack using a third-party service resulted in the theft of customer contact information. Payment information and passwords were not stolen. Adidas has revealed that its customers’ personal information was taken in a cyberattack. According to the sportswear giant, “certain consumer data” that “mainly consists” of the contact details of those who have interacted with its support desk was stolen by crooks. Adidas asserts that passwords and credit card credentials were not compromised in any way. “We remain fully committed to protecting the privacy and security of our consumers, and sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern caused by this incident,” it wrote on its blog. It makes sense that Adidas customers would be concerned that hackers may try to use their data, thus it’s critical that Adidas offers precise and timely updates to affected shoppers and supports them in taking steps to protect themselves,” said Lisa Barber, of the consumer advocacy organisation Which? She suggested that those who may be impacted closely monitor their credit reports and bank accounts for any unusual activity. They should also be cautious of unexpected calls, emails, or social media posts claiming to be related to the hack, she said, as these could be scammers attempting to profit from the cyberattack. It comes as significant hacks have attacked retailers like Co-op and Marks & Spencer. There is no evidence that Adidas has experienced a comparable circumstance to theirs, in which the intrusions caused significant disruptions to business operations. “Adidas recently became aware that an unauthorised external party obtained certain consumer data through a third-party customer service provider,” stated the business. “We collaborated with leading information security experts as quickly as we could to contain the problem and start a comprehensive investigation. “Adidas is in the process of informing potentially affected consumers as well as appropriate data protection and law enforcement authorities consistent with applicable law.” Since April 2025, a number of cyber events have been reported, and some specialists have discovered connections between them. Police in the UK are investigating the possibility that the M&S cyberattack was caused by Scattered Spider, a well-known group of English-speaking hackers. Hacks on the Co-op and Harrods are thought to have been carried out by the same group, but M&S was most severely affected. According to M&S, the company will lose around a third of its profit as a result of the cyberattack. There is no indication that this group is responsible for the Adidas data hack. However, the company disclosed earlier this month that data breaches had occurred in other areas of its global empire, including its South Korean and Turkish arms.

Joint Airtel-Jio-Vi initiative: Will the telecom behemoths unite to combat fraud and cybercrime

Joint Airtel-Jio-Vi initiative: Airtel has proposed a joint initiative with Jio and Vodafone Idea to combat rising telecom-related cybercrimes and frauds, citing over 1.7 million complaints in early 2024. The plan calls for real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination to strengthen user safety. Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (VI), India’s three main private telecom companies, may unite in an uncommon attempt to fight telecom fraud, scams, and cybercrime. The second-largest telecom provider in India by market share, Airtel, claims that it just sent a call to action to Jio and Vodafone, urging them to band together to combat these nefarious frauds and scams. The telecom giant claims that in the first three quarters of 2024, India received over 1.7 million complaints about cybercrime, which led to losses of ₹11,000 crore. India has recently witnessed a notable increase in cybercrime, ranging from identity theft to phishing links, “digital arrest” frauds, and fraudulent loan offers and payment forms. Customers received the following message from Airtel last week: “Airtel is now The Safe Network.” To keep you safe, our fraud detection tool prevents bogus URLs from opening. Additionally, for the past month, Airtel has begun adding “scam” cautions before suspected texts for a large number of consumers. However, the operator led by Sunil Mittal aims to do more. “…it became clear that more coordinated industry action was required, given the recent alarming rise in phishing attempts and malicious URL-based scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.” In letters to Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal and TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahotia, it stated that these sophisticated fraud schemes frequently take advantage of the lack of cooperation between service providers. “Through real-time fraud intelligence sharing and cross-network coordination, this initiative would bring all TSPs together to collaboratively detect, prevent, and mitigate telecom fraud and scams across our networks,” Airtel continued. The challenge for Jio, Vodafone, and the other two companies involved in this program is to prevent unsolicited commercial communications (UCC), which are the source of the majority of scams, without interfering with the enterprise services that are properly provided by the telecom networks. This might include establishing a centralised platform for data sharing, which raises additional privacy concerns. However, that is a matter for another time. Currently, it is up to Ambani-led Jio and Vodafone Idea to agree to Airtel’s proposal for a collaborative task force to combat cybercrime based on telecoms.

Odisha Police Train 700 Officers in Digital Investigation Techniques

Odisha Police: Around 700 police investigating officers from Odisha’s Eastern Range attended a digital investigation workshop on May 21, 2025, to enhance skills in e-investigation, evidence management, and case documentation. The initiative reflects Odisha Police’s commitment to modernising law enforcement through technology. Odisha’s Balasore (PTI) On May 21, 2025, around 700 police investigating officers (IOs) attended a workshop on the latest methods and knowledge in digital investigation, evidence management, and case documenting. The State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) conducted a workshop for the IOs of the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, and Mayurbhanj on e-investigation, e-sakshya, and e-sign, according to Satyajit Naik, DIG Eastern Range. The DIG stated, “The training aimed to equip IOs with the latest skills and knowledge in digital investigation, evidence management, and case documentation.” The police department uses technology to improve the efficacy and efficiency of investigations, which ultimately ensures the delivery of justice. According to the DIG, this project demonstrates the Odisha Police’s dedication to implementing creative solutions and keeping up with the most recent advancements in law enforcement. He stated that this capacity-building operation is expected to have a good effect on crime investigation and public service delivery in the area, and that the Eastern Range Police stand to gain enormously from it.

SRM University and Officers Training Academy sign an MOU

SRM University: SRM Institute of Science and Technology and the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, signed an MoU on May 26, 2025, to launch a diploma program in Cyber Security and IT for officer cadets. The initiative aims to enhance cadets’ technical skills and digital readiness for modern defence challenges. On May 26, 2025, the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and the SRM Institute of Science and Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide its officer cadets with additional training through a diploma program in Cyber Security and Information Technology. The program is intended to cover important topics including cybersecurity, data protection, and IT principles, according to a Defense announcement. The Memorandum of Understanding documents were signed by Officers Training Academy (OTA) Commandant Lt Gen Michael AJ Fernandez and Vice Chancellor Dr. C Muthamizh Selvan at the Officers Training Academy headquarters here. During his speech, Lt. Gen. Michael Fernandez stated that the days of thinking about warfare without utilising new technologies were long gone. He also urged the officer cadets to continue learning to stay up to date with the changes. He conveyed his expectation that the new course will empower future army commanders with cybersecurity and information technology capabilities, giving them the technical know-how and digital competency needed in the quickly evolving defence environment of today. SRM IST Vice Chancellor Dr. Muthamizh Selvan stated in his speech that the OTA officer cadets are welcome to use the university’s laboratories for their research and projects. Selvan maintained that it is time for educational establishments to transition from rigidity to flexibility and from tradition to innovation.

Department of Telecommunications Launches FRI Tool to Detect Risky Mobile Numbers in Cyber Frauds

The Department of Telecommunications has launched the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to help banks and payment platforms identify risky mobile numbers linked to cyber fraud. Platforms like PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay are integrating the tool to enhance transaction security. The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), a new multi-dimensional analytical tool created as part of the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), was unveiled on Wednesday. Its purpose is to assist financial institutions in preventing cyber fraud by providing them with advanced, actionable intelligence. In order to combat financial crime and cyber fraud, FRI facilitates improved intelligence sharing with banks, UPI service providers, and other financial organizations. A cell phone number can be categorized as having a Medium, High, or Very High risk of financial fraud using this risk-based criteria. In the event that a mobile number is deemed to be at high risk, the action is expected to assist banks, non-banking financial institutions, and UPI service providers in giving enforcement top priority and implementing further client protection measures. The digital payment provider PhonePe, which was among the first to implement FRI, has utilised it to reject transactions associated with Very High FRI mobile numbers and to show a notice on the screen as part of the PhonePe Protect feature. According to the DoT, PhonePe is working to show a proactive user alert for Medium FRI numbers before authorising the transaction. PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay, which collectively manage over 90% of UPI transactions, have begun integrating DIP notifications into their systems, the DoT claims. Fraud detection According to the department, “this classification is the result of inputs obtained from various stakeholders, including intelligence shared by banks and financial institutions, reporting on DoT’s Chakshu platform, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4Cs). The list of mobile numbers that were disconnected due to their involvement in cybercrime, failure to re-verify, and violating limitations is shared by the DoT every month. Financial fraud also frequently uses these numbers. The life of a cell number used in cyber frauds is usually a few days, and complete verification might take several days, therefore, the DoT believes that an advanced signal of risk associated with such numbers is quite important. As a result, when a stakeholder flags a suspected mobile number, it is subjected to multi-dimensional analysis, which determines whether it carries a Medium, High, or Very High financial risk. It is then promptly shared with all stakeholders via DIP.

OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s AI Startup io for $6.4 Billion in Major Hardware Push

OpenAI is acquiring Jony Ive’s AI device startup, io, for $6.4 billion in an all-equity deal, marking its major push into hardware. I’ve will lead design efforts at both OpenAI and io, while io integrates with OpenAI’s San Francisco teams. On May 21, 2025, OpenAI announced that it would acquire Jony Ive’s AI device startup, io, for roughly $6.4 billion in an all-equity transaction, solidifying the AI company’s entry into the hardware market. The company said in a statement that Ive will be taking on “deep creative and design responsibilities across OpenAI and io.” Ive and LoveFrom, his “creative collective,” will continue to operate independently. According to OpenAI, while io will be coming in-house. Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a blog post on May 21 that Ive launched io a year ago with the help of Apple alums Scott Cannon, Tang Tan, and Evans Hankey, who temporarily filled Ive’s position at Apple after he left. In order to collaborate more closely with the research, engineering, and product teams in San Francisco, the io team—which is dedicated to creating products that inspire, empower, and enable—will now join with OpenAI, according to the post. OpenAI, which already controls 23% of the business, stated that it is paying $5 billion in the deal. Ive is “the greatest designer in the world,” according to Altman’s post on X. This is by far OpenAI’s biggest acquisition to date, and it comes weeks after the business agreed to pay $3 billion to acquire the AI-assisted coding tool Windsurf. Before that, in 2024, OpenAI paid an unknown amount to purchase the analytics database startup Rockset. To launch LoveFrom, Ive declared in 2019 that he was leaving Apple, where he had served as chief design officer for several years. In 2020, Airbnb announced that I had been advising the business on hiring and upcoming features. Last year, the New York Times revealed that LoveFrom’s designers were working on projects for Christie’s, Airbnb, and Ferrari at the time, and that the company’s clients pay it up to $200 million annually. Ive and designer Marc Newson formed LoveFrom, according to the company’s website, but it makes no mention of io or what the business does. Apple’s most recognisable products, such as the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air, were all designed by Ive. Additionally, he contributed to the design of Apple Park, the company’s new Cupertino headquarters, which was started in 2004 and formally opened in 2019. As competitors like Google, Anthropic, and Elon Musk’s xAI are making significant investments and frequently releasing new products, OpenAI, which was recently valued at $300 billion in a funding round spearheaded by Soft Bank, is scrambling to remain ahead of the competition in the generative AI space. Strengthening its hardware operations is one way to keep ahead of the competition. To advance its hardware objectives, OpenAI in November named the former leader of Meta’s Orion augmented reality glasses project to lead its robotics and consumer hardware initiatives. The position would “initially focus on OpenAI’s robotics work and partnerships to help bring AI into the physical world and unlock its benefits for humanity,” according to a statement made at the time by Caitlin “CK” Kalinowski. Additionally, in November, OpenAI invested $400 million at a valuation of $2.4 billion in Physical Intelligence, a robot company based in San Francisco. Among the other investors was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. By creating extensive AI models and algorithms to drive robots, the business aims to “bring general-purpose AI into the physical world,” according to its website.

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