CCITR Launches Second Edition of 24-Hour Cyber Hackathon in Collaboration with PES University

Bengaluru, March 8: The Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training and Research (CCITR), an initiative of CID Karnataka, Infosys Foundation, and Data Security Council of India (DSCI), proudly announces the commencement of its second 24-hour Cyber Hackathon, in partnership with PES University. This event brings together some of the brightest young minds to tackle cutting-edge challenges in cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year’s hackathon focuses on innovative problem statements aimed at addressing emerging cyber threats. Participating students will work on developing solutions for:

1. Deepfake Detection – Creating tools to identify and combat manipulated media content.
2. Blockchain-Based Digital Evidence Chain of Custody – Ensuring tamper-proof documentation and preservation of digital evidence.
3. IoT Device Evidence Extractor – Designing methods to retrieve forensic evidence from Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The event, hosted at PES University, kicked off at 09:30 AM today and will run non-stop for 24 hours, concluding on March 09, 2025. 50 teams comprising 175 students were shortlisted out of 850 students registered from various institutions across the region participating, showcasing their technical expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills under the mentorship of industry experts and law enforcement professionals.

Inaugurating the hackathon Dr M A Saleem IPS, DGP CID Karnataka, said “CCITR is committed to fostering innovation in cybersecurity and bridging the gap between academia and real-world challenges”.

“This collaboration with PES University and CCITR reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation to build a safer digital future.” Said Dr Suryaprasad J, Vice Chancellor, PES University.

The hackathon provides a platform for students to demonstrate their technical prowess and aligns with CCITR’s mission to advance research and training in cybercrime investigation. Winners will be recognized during the Annual Cybercrime Summit on 15th March 2025 for their groundbreaking solutions and may have the opportunity to further collaborate with CCITR and its partners.

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