IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub Hosts Grand Finale of HACK IITK 2025, Showcasing Cybersecurity Excellence

IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub is hosting the Grand Finale of HACK IITK 2025, providing a platform for top cybersecurity talent to showcase their skills and innovative solutions.

IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub Hosts Grand Finale of HACK IITK 2025

C3iHub, the Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, inaugurated the Grand Finale of the HACK IITK Global Security Hackathon 2025. This three-day event brings together top cybersecurity talent, providing a platform to showcase cutting-edge skills and innovative solutions to address critical security challenges in the digital era. The hackathon will conclude with a valedictory session. The event was graced by Dr. Gulshan Rai, former National Cybersecurity Coordinator and former Director General of CERT-In, as the chief guest. He was joined by Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Project Director of C3iHub, and Dr. Tanima Hajra, COO and Interim CEO of C3iHub.

HACK IITK 2025

As the competition reaches its final stages, 201 participants from 54 teams have qualified for the Solution Track finals, while 11 startups have been shortlisted in the Startup Track. Their solutions highlight the event's strong participation and the exceptional calibre of ideas presented. The finalists' selection underscores HACK IITK as a platform celebrating innovation in cybersecurity.

With over 7,000 registrations in the Solution Track and 35 startup ideas in the Startup Track, HACK IITK has emerged as a major event in the global cybersecurity landscape. The competition features prizes worth over INR 30 lakhs, including INR 5 lakhs in cash and AWS Cloud Credits for the winners. The Solution Track invites students at all levels to tackle critical cybersecurity challenges, such as IT Security, Cyber Crime, and Web3 Security. Meanwhile, the Startup Track provides a platform for emerging startups to showcase innovative solutions in areas like AI/ML Security, Automotive Security, and Privileged Access Management (PAM).

Application for Cyber Security Accelerator Program (CSAP)

In parallel with the hackathon, C3iHub has invited applications for the second cohort of the Cyber Security Accelerator Program (CSAP) under the CPS-DIAL initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This program aims to fast-track the growth of promising cybersecurity startups by providing funding support of up to INR 2 crore, expert mentorship, and access to IIT Kanpur’s robust innovation ecosystem.

Over nine months, selected startups will receive tailored mentorship to refine their business strategies and drive growth. Building on the success of its first cohort, the program aims to empower startups innovating in key cybersecurity domains, including Web3 Security, Privacy-Enhancing Technologies, Mobile Security and Forensics, Supply Chain Security, Threat Intelligence, Automotive Security, Adversary AI Threat Detection, AI Security, and LLM Security.

Dr. Gulshan Rai took the opportunity to emphasize the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, stating, “There is a paradigm shift in cybersecurity as new challenges emerge every day. The entire cybersecurity space is becoming more complex than ever, making the themes of this hackathon—Web3 Security, IT Security, and Cyber Crime—highly relevant.” Prof. Manindra Agrawal also highlighted the significance of hackathons in skill development, noting, “Hackathons play a crucial role in developing technical expertise, and young talent can contribute significantly to the field of cybersecurity.” 

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