India: Cyber Security Innovation Challenge 2023

This ground-breaking initiative is set to scout for remarkable innovations and startups in the realm of cybersecurity.

The challenge focuses on leveraging cutting-edge Cyber Security Infrastructure and technologies, including Intrusion Detection Techniques, Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Data Science, Smart Decision tools, Vulnerability Handling and Penetration Testing, Network Protocols, and Data Flows.

The Challenge’s Core Objective

• The primary goal of this challenge is to unite stakeholders from India’s startup ecosystem, from visionary entrepreneurs to astute industrialists, forward-thinking investors, cybersecurity experts, government representatives, and budding startup enthusiasts. Together, they aim to put innovative solutions to the test, refine them, and validate their potential to tackle the most pressing cybersecurity challenges of the time.

Problem Statements Designed for Impact

• The problem statements for this challenge have been meticulously crafted through close collaboration with State Government Departments and industry partners. These statements represent real-world challenges and provide startups with a unique platform to showcase their capabilities in emerging technologies.
  • Detecting and Mitigating Monitoring and Alteration of Duplicate Websites
    • The prevalence of duplicate websites poses a significant threat to user security and privacy. Malicious actors often create duplicate versions of legitimate websites to trick users into disclosing sensitive information or downloading malware.
  • Detecting and Mitigating Phishing Emails Luring Users to Pay False Claims
    • Phishing emails continue to be a prevalent cyber threat, with attackers using deceptive techniques to trick users into paying false claims or providing sensitive information. This cyber security challenge aims to assess the effectiveness of email security.
  • Enhancing Cybersecurity for Remote 3D Printing Operations to Prevent Intellectual Property (IP) Theft
    • The use of remote 3D printing operations has become increasingly popular, offering convenience and efficiency. However, this convenience also introduces security risks, as attackers may attempt to hack into the communication.

Incentives

The selected start-ups will be felicitated with financial reward of up to INR 30 Lakhs for creating impact at a scale.

• Winner
  • INR 5.00 lakhs
  • (Per each problem statement)
• First Runner-up
  • INR 3.00 lakhs
  • (Per each problem statement)
• Second Runner-up
  • INR 2.00 lakhs
  • (Per each problem statement)
• Non-Fiscal Incentives
  • Incubation Support
  • Mentorship Support
  • Access to funding schemes
  • Piloting & Procurement Support

Rewards beyond Recognition

• Apart from the prestige of recognition, the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge offers substantial incentives, including cash prizes of up to INR 30 Lakhs, distributed among the winning teams, first runners-up, and second runners-up. The selected startups will also gain invaluable access to:
  • Incubation Space: A nurturing environment to foster their innovations.
  • Mentoring: Expert guidance to refine their solutions and business strategies.
  • Access to Funding Schemes: Assistance in securing the necessary capital to bring their innovations to life.
  • Procurement Support: Guidance for prototyping and piloting opportunities within the state.

Who Can Apply?

• If you are a start-up, an early-stage organization or working in collaboration to solve problems in the Cyber Security Space, you are eligible to apply meeting the following requirements:
  • Demonstrating the existence of a legal structure: Company should comply with the start-up definition as defined by DPIIT.
  • Products/Services should not violate/breach/copy any product already launched and/or copyrighted or patented
  • IPR/ Patent registered for the product (if any) should be owned by the nominating Indian company
  • The product/ Prototype/MVP submitted should have been designed and developed in India
• Participants will have to come up with solutions that can be called ‘innovative’, ‘radical’, ‘unconventional’ or ‘out-of-the-box’. The solutions provided should be thoroughly researched, must not include any sort of plagiarism, carried out as a student effort with a feasible work plan and should be presented with required deliverables.

For more information, visit Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society.