The recent cyber security conclave SHIELD 2025 held in Hyderabad has paved the way for increased coordination between States in tackling cybercrimes, according to officials. Following the successful interaction at the event, Hyderabad is now preparing to host a crucial meeting in March, where senior police officials from southern States will convene to enhance inter-State collaboration and devise effective strategies to combat online frauds that transcend borders.
The meeting will see the participation of top cybercrime investigators from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. With a focus on improving cooperation between States and addressing challenges in cyber investigations, the discussions aim to streamline efforts and facilitate swifter actions in combating cyber threats.
Shikha Goel, Director of Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), highlighted the importance of sharing insights and recommendations from the Shield 2025 conference at the upcoming meeting. Key challenges, solutions, and suggestions identified during the cybersecurity summit will be presented to relevant departments for necessary reforms. Policy recommendations will also be forwarded to the Central government for further action, ensuring a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity.
The Shield 2025 conference played a crucial role in easing inter-State coordination challenges in cybercrime investigations, as noted by officials. By bringing together police officials from 14 States, the event facilitated better cooperation and created a mechanism for addressing cyber threats collectively. Discussions at the conference delved into various key areas such as tackling cryptocurrency frauds, ransomware threats, AI-driven cyber threats, financial fraud, and misinformation.
Key officials who participated in the closed-door discussions included Rajesh Kumar, CEO of Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), V. Neerja, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) (Cybercrimes) Punjab, Ajeetha Begum, Kerala Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rajneesh Gupta, Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations Joint Commissioner, Pronab Mohanty, DGP CID (Cybercrimes) Karnataka, Sharat Kavi Raj, IGP (Cybercrime) Rajasthan, and O P Singh, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh. The discussions also emphasized the need to enforce mandatory reporting requirements for financial institutions, telecom providers, and social media platforms, as well as enhancing AI-powered investigative tools and strengthening cross-border intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
With the upcoming meeting in March, officials are optimistic about furthering the collaboration between States and enhancing cyber security measures to effectively combat online threats. The insights and recommendations gathered from both the Shield 2025 conference and the upcoming meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cybersecurity initiatives in the region.
Published on February 21, 2025, at 07:23 pm IST, the efforts to strengthen inter-State coordination and combat cybercrimes signify a significant step towards bolstering cybersecurity in the southern States of India.