MeitY and DSCI launch Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0
Combined prize money is Rs 6.85 Cr
Registration open from January 15 to February 14, 2025, for innovative
solutions in API Security, Data Protection, Wearable Privacy, Clone App
Mitigation, AI Threat Detection, and Biometric Security.
This initiative will provide mentorship, capability-building and market access,
aligning with the goals of Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat:
S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY
The Ministry of
Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) today launched the second edition of Cyber Security Grand
Challenge i.e. CSGC 2.0 by S
Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. CSGC 2.0 being implemented by Data
Security Council of India (DSCI)
The initiative
focuses on strengthening the
nation's cybersecurity competencies and capability building in
key areas paving the way for a more
secure digital future. Most notably, Cyber Security Grand Challenge
boasts a substantial increase in total prize money of INR 6.85 crores from INR 3.2
crores compared to its first edition, making it one of the most attractive and
rewarding cybersecurity challenges in the nation.
Registrations are
now open. All information around the challenge and registrations can be found
at: https://innovateindia.mygov.in/cyber-security-grand-challenge/
Tackling cybersecurity challenges with IPR ownership
MeitY invites
innovators, startups and budding entrepreneurs to participate in the Grand
Challenge. A unique feature, the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the
product being developed as part of the challenge will be owned by the
respective startup. The whole process of CSGC 2.0 will run under various stages
wherein mentorship will be provided at each stage.
Under the Grand Challenge, participants need to create
solutions around six defined
problem statement areas which include, API Security, Data
Security, Wearable Device Security and Privacy, Clone and Fake App Mitigation,
AI for Threat Detection and Incident Response, and Securing Next-Generation
Biometric Systems.
Stages
of Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0
Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 features an additional
stage, the Go-to-Market stage, in addition to three stages namely Idea, Minimum
Viable Product (MVP), and Final Product Stage. It expands the scope of recognition
by qualifying six startups for each problem statement at the Idea Stage, resulting in a total of 36
startups recognized in the early stage receiving INR 5 lakh each, and 18
startups receiving INR 10 lakh each at the Minimum
Viable Product stage.
Throughout the challenge, startups will be provided with
technical and business mentorship, helping them mature into successful
ventures. At the Final Stage, winners will be declared for each of the 6
problem statements receiving INR 25 lakh each. After the Go-to-Market Stage, which is the final stage of the Grand
Challenge, the Platinum Winner will receive a prize of INR 1 crore whereas Gold
Winner and Silver Winner will receive INR 50 lakh and INR 25 lakh respectively.
Launching the Grand
Challenge 2.0, Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, said, “The
Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 is a major government-backed initiative with
a significant amount of prize money of INR 6.85 crores and a focus on
recognizing startups offering innovative cybersecurity solutions. The problem
statements are current and in sync with the latest cybersecurity threat
landscape. This initiative will provide mentorship, capability-building and
market access, aligning with the goals of Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and
Viksit Bharat. I hope the participants and winners will lead change and bring
out home grown innovative security solutions to empower India’s digital
journey.”
Abhishek
Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, said, “We need continuous innovation to combat
emerging threats, especially with the advent of new technologies like AI and
quantum computing to enhance cyber security capabilities of the nation. We hope
that the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 will serve as a momentum to ideate
and innovate cutting-edge solutions.
Vinayak
Godse, CEO, DSCI, said, “We
thank MeitY for hosting the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 and increasing
the prize money to foster innovation. The support of government bodies, PSUs,
and industry experts has been crucial in shaping the challenge and its problem
statements.