CipherCop<>2025
Code. Protect. Transform.
India’s first-of-its-kind law-tech hackathon, where the brightest minds collaborate to reimagine the future of policing through artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
Presented by
An Annual Conclave by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau
🗓️ 5th February, 2026 Venue: Hyderabad
The SHIELD conclave series, conceptualized and organized by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), serves as the State’s flagship platform for advancing cybersecurity dialogue, collaboration, and action.
Registration Open Now
Last date to Register is on 21st January 2026.
SHIELD 2026 Presents
CipherSprint
A national cyber Innovation challenge
Organised by Cyber Security Bureau, Telangana Police
Immersion: 🗓️ 27th Jan - 4th Feb, 2026
Finale: 🗓️ 5th February, 2026 Venue: Hyderabad
CipherSprint is a key Cyber Innovation Challenge under the SHIELD ecosystem and it focuses on identifying top working cyber solutions in the country.
Registration Open Now
Last date to Register is on 21st January 2026.
About SHIELD
The SHIELD conclave series, conceptualized and organized by the Telangana Cyber
Security Bureau (TGCSB), serves as Telangana's flagship platform for advancing
cybersecurity dialogue, collaboration, and action. SHIELD 2025 established the foundation for a national, action-oriented cybersecurity ecosystem, with participation from over 900 delegates, including law enforcement officers from 14 states, senior government officials, global technology leaders, industry representatives, academic institutions, startups, and students.
This year, under SHIELD 2026, CipherSprint is conceptualized as a Key National innovation challenge under the SHIELD ecosystem, aligned with the expanded vision. While SHIELD provides a platform for strategic dialogue and policy alignment, CipherSprint focuses on execution and implementation, identifying working cyber solutions and enabling their refinement through direct engagement with TGCSB.
Organized By
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) is a state’s dedicated agency under Telangana Police, which stands to combat cybercrime & bolster the cybersecurity architecture across Telangana. Our mission is to create a secure digital environment through transparent, unbiased, and efficient cyber practices supported by cutting-edge technology and advanced forensic expertise.
What is CipherSprint?
CipherSprint is a flagship Cyber Innovation Challenge under the SHIELD ecosystem, focused on identifying the country’s most promising working cyber solutions and to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world adoption, accelerate the transition of solutions from concept to operational use in policing and public safety.
We invite both technical and non-technical applications from research students, startups, MSMEs, government agencies, and other companies to showcase us their cyber solutions across the following thematic areas.
We invite applications for innovative, deployable cyber solutions across the following thematic areas for CipherSprint.
Themes for CipherSprint
We invite both technical and non-technical solutions spread across (but not limited to) any of the following thematic area:
AI++
Leveraging advanced AI to support Cybersecurity and prevent Cybercrime.
Women Safety & Child Protection Technologies
Strengthening prevention, detection, and response mechanisms for vulnerable groups online.
Social Media Monitoring & Analysis
Identifying misuse, manipulation, and emerging threats across social media platforms.
Dark Web & Deep Web Intelligence
Understanding and tracking illicit activities operating beyond the open internet.
Deepfake Detection and Mitigation
Support addressing the creation, spread, and impact of synthetic and manipulated media.
Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Investigations
Tracing illicit financial flows and strengthening investigations in virtual assets.
Cyber Forensics
Enhancing digital evidence collection, analysis, and investigative processes.
We invite applications for innovative, deployable cyber solutions across the following thematic areas for CipherSprint.
Who Can Participate?
We invite applications from the below categories:
Research students
Startups & MSMEs
Other Private Companies & Government agencies
Evaluation Metrics
Evaluation of applications will be undertaken by a multi-disciplinary jury drawn from leading law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, cybersecurity professionals, CXOs, GCC heads, policy-makers, etc., following a structured framework. Broad evaluation metrics are listed here:
Evaluation Criteria
Problem relevance & solution clarity
Impact & uniqueness
Research, technology & AI usage
Deployment readiness & time
Live demo / PoC
Documentation & transparency
Compliance & Eligibility Check:
Not an AI-generated-only submission (human design & logic evident with transparent disclosure of AI usage)
Team is not a System Integrator / Partner pitch
Workable prototype & not a mere concept/ppt
Prerequisites for Application
Each application must be accompanied by a working prototype/solution, with a demonstrable Proof of Concept (PoC) and/or live demo.
The proposed solution must align with one or more of the CipherSprint thematic areas mentioned above. We invite both technical and non-technical solutions.
Solutions should clearly demonstrate usability, scalability, and deployment readiness for real-world application, particularly in policing and cyber safety contexts.
Solutions will be reviewed and evaluated category-wise, (Research Students, Startups and MSME's, Other Private Companies and Government agencies) with each category assessed against appropriate benchmarks to ensure fairness and parity.
Structure For CipherSprint (Important Dates)
CipherSprint is structured from a national announcement and open application phase to shortlisting and an intensive immersion with Cyber Security Bureau to refine solutions for real-world law enforcement needs. The journey culminates at the SHIELD Conclave, where the CipherSprint Grand Finale takes place alongside keynote sessions, fireside chats, panel discussions, and multiple other cybersecurity engagements, bringing together government, industry, academia, and innovators.
Last date for submission of applications
21 JAN 2026
IMMERSION PROGRAM
27 jan - 4 feb 2026
VENUE - IIIT, Hyderabad
This stage involves POC/LIVE demos of the shortlisted applications
Shield Conclave
(Ciphersprint Finale)
5 FEB 2026
VENUE - HYderabad
Shield conclave will feature Finale of ciphersprint along with keynote sessions, fireside chats, panel discussions, and more!
ciphersprint Winner will be awarded a Grant of ₹5 Lakhs.
The detailed agenda for the IMMERSION PROGRAM and SHIELD CONCLAVE (CipherSprint Finale) will be released soon.
What’s in it for You?
01
₹5 Lakh Winner Grant
02
A chance to showcase solutions in front of Law enforcement officers, GCC Heads, CXOs, Policymakers, etc
03
Coinnovation opportunity with TGCSB
04
A chance to network with eminent leaders from the govt. and industry at the Shield Conclave.
05
Stall & Exhibition facility at the Shield Conclave.
Applications are open.
REGISTER NOW!
What’s in it for You?
₹5 Lakh Winner Grant
Direct mentorship from law enforcement experts
Prototype validation for real deployment
Exposure to policymakers, CXOs & GCC heads
Exhibition & demo opportunities at SHIELD 2026
What’s in it for You?
₹₹₹ in cash prizes
Mentorship from top law enforcement, cybersecurity, and academic experts
Networking with top-tier institutions and government bodies
Chance to pilot your solution with real agencies
Certificate of Participation for all valid entries
Ready to Code for a Safer Tomorrow?
Registrations are now closed!
Academic Partner
Event Partner
Strategic Partners
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