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  • Cyber Security Grand Challenge
    Cyber Security Grand Challenge
  • About Grand Challenge
  • Problem Statements
  • Awards and Outcome
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Overall Process
  • Timeline
  • Stages
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CLICK HERE TO FILL FINAL STAGE NOMINATION FORM Congratulations The Jury has Shortlisted Submissions of the following 6 Start-ups in MVP Stage of Cyber Security Grand Challenge. All 6 Shortlisted startups will proceed to the Final Stage of Grand ChallengeClick here to view the Selected Participants in Final Stage The Jury has Shortlisted Submissions of the following 12 Start-ups in Ideation Stage of Cyber Security Grand Challenge You will now move to the next stage after clearing the necessary verification.Click here to view the Selected Participants in Ideation Stage

About Grand Challenge

With more than half a billion internet subscribers, India is riding high on the digital front. All facets of the economy are leveraging technology for wider reach, convenience and effectiveness. Quick technology adoption by enterprises has made mobile-banking, on-line shopping, on-line trading and social networking possible. The base of these efforts lies in government's emphasis on developing infrastructure to enable affordable internet access for every Indian.

However, as this digital transformation unfolds, it has potential to create significant cyber security challenges. At the same time, India is well poised to be a cybersecurity industry hub, catering to both global and domestic Indian markets.

With an ecosystem of 175+ product companies, Indian cybersecurity product landscape has already begun to create a promising story. More than 70% of these companies have been incorporated in last decade with 60%+ Y-O-Y growth rate of several new age startups.

In light of these developments, Grand Challenge for Cyber Security has been announced by the Hon'ble Minister of Electronics & Information Technology. This initiative provides impetus to the growth of Indian cyber security industry and seeks to nurture start-ups that diversify the industry and boost the development of niche and advanced solutions.

The Grand Challenge for Cyber Security is designed to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by building key cybersecurity capabilities in the country. Participants will compete in teams at 3 stages: Idea, Minimal Viable Product (MVP) and Final Product Building. In the first stage, teams will propose implementable ideas to solve identified Cyber Security Problem statement(s). During the course of the event, participating teams would be provided with award money and mentorship. Top 3 teams would be awarded with a total prize money of INR 2 Cr.

Budding entrepreneurs are invited to submit their ideas in a chance to fast track their growth, be mentored by the best and win remarkable prizes. Industry experts are invited to contribute to the national cybersecurity building initiative and explore an opportunity to mentor the best talent in the country.

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Problem Statements

Developing System that heals itself in case of a Security Compromise

Devices, things, and mobility options demanding access have been increasing significantly. Their surface to the external world is expanding, exposing their assets to a variety of attack possibilities. The IT system goes through millions of operating situations. One out of these situations may compromise security.

Assurance of Security of Hardware Devices, Products and Components

Exploitable flaws and vulnerabilities are often discussed in the context of software. Hardware carries similar risks, but its ramifications could be quite significant. The threat landscape is moving from software stack to lower levels. The rapid growth of accessible devices, fueled by the pervasive mobile technologies and an aggressive drive for digital innovation..

Defending against advanced attack vectors on Biometric Identification and Authentication Systems

Biometric authentication in the current age mostly relies on fingerprint authentication, facial authentication, voice & video recognition, and behavioral contexts. The attack ecosystem has evolved to adopt capabilities to circumvent the authentication system using fake video, audio, and even by playing with behavioral attributes.

Securing Microservices and Services Mesh Architecture

In a microservice architecture, an application is decomposed into multiple services.  Many organizations are adopting microservices architecture to become agile, scalable, and resilient. However, microservices architecture is likely to expose a lot more of your system’s functionality directly to the network.

Securing against IoT Edge Device threats through programmable network elements

The convergence of devices, IoTs with evolving edge computing, opens up newer opportunities to devise an intelligent network environment. Deployment of IoTs/IIoTs sensors and various devices for various purposes like smart cities, and intelligent transportation, is gaining more momentum on the one hand.

Development of Automated System to enable Privacy Preserving Analytics/Forensics

Modern-day innovations are increasingly relying on data. The quantum of innovation with data generated by proliferating digital applications, products, and services gives rise to many new ideas of making use of data. Without providing access to the data and sharing, it would be challenging to realize the true potential of digitization.

Awards and Outcome

Fast Track your future

A platform to innovate and demonstrate capabilities.

VISIBILITY

A high viewership platform provides you with an opportunity to showcase and promote your innovation to the ecosystem.

REWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Win lucrative prize money at various stages of the program.

EXPAND YOUR REACH

Opportunity to meet peers, domain experts and other stakeholders.

BE MENTORED BY THE BEST

Opportunity to gain mentorship and guidance under the best Cyber Security Experts.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who want to participate in Grand Challenge must comply with the definition of startup as notified by DPIIT vide order no G.S.R. 127(E) dated 19th February 2019. An entity shall be considered as 'start-up':
  • Upto a period of ten years from the date of incorporation/ registration, if it is incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India.
  • Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded one hundred crore rupees.
  • Entity is working towards innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services, or if it is a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.
    -Provided that an entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a 'Startup'. Innovative Security Products being developed should not have violated/ breached/ copied any product already launched and/or copyrighted or patented.
  • For the product to be developed as part of Grand Challenge, if any IPR/Patent is being used, contesting entity must possess the legitimate rights to use the IPR/Patents.
  • The product to be developed for Grand Challenge should be designed and developed in India.
  • Any group of individuals, which is not registered as startup and wants to participate in Grand Challenge may participate with the condition that the group must register the entity by 15th May 2020 and submit the copy of registration to organizing committee failing which submitted proposal will not be considered further.
If Participating Team is not yet registered, they are still allowed to submit ideas, but are required to be registered as private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India (as per definition available in the latest notification of DIPP at http://startupindia.gov.in) before 15th May, 2020

Overall Process

Launch of the Grand Challenge
Registration and Idea Submission by the participants
Jury Evaluation and Shortlisting
Mentorship Workshops
MVP Development by the shortlisted teams
Jury Evaluation and Shortlisting
Final Product Development
Award Ceremony

INNOVATE

Team Leader will use this portal for:

Team Registration/ Idea Information/ Form Submission/ Company Registration/ Detail Submission

OPEN FORGE

Team Leader will use this portal to upload

MVP/Simulation/Source code

EVALUATION PORTAL

This Portal will be used by the Jury to evaluate the submitted ideas/ prototypes and final products

Timeline

Activity Date
Grand Challenge Launch 15 January, 2020
Last Date for Registration of Team 30 April, 2020 23:59:59 hrs
Last Date for Submission of Idea Nomination form with Startup Details
Only Incorporated/ registered startups can apply
30 April , 2020 23:59:59 hrs
Last Date for Submission of Legal Entity Registration Details
As private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India (as per definition available in the latest notification of DIPP at http://startupindia.gov.in)
15 May , 2020 23:59:59 hrs
Result for Idea Stage 3 July , 2020
Click here to view the Selected Participants in Ideation Stage
Last date for Submission of Minimum Viable Product 21 October, 2020 23:59:59 hrs
Result for Minimum Viable Product Stage 9th December, 2020
Last Date of Submission of Final Product 5th April, 2021 23:59:59 hrs
Awards Ceremony To be Announced

Stages

Idea
Stage

The intent of this stage is to invite participants to propose innovative solutions for the identified cyber security problem statements. Ideas should be implementable and have relevance in today's industry. Furthermore, ideas should also stand the test of time.

Submitted Ideas will undergo a first level of screening by Grand Challenge for Cyber Security organizing team to check for adequacy of data and eligibility.

Ideas will be evaluated by a distinguished jury panel comprising of government, industry and academia experts. Maximum 12 startups will be shortlisted and will get award money of INR 5 lakh each and move to the next leg of the challenge.

If you feel, your idea has what it takes to solve these cyber security challenges, please submit your nomination form to enter into the competition.

One startup can submit ideas for all the problem statements. Per problem statement, only one idea can be submitted by one startup. From a startup, only one Idea will be shortlisted at this stage of screening.

Minimum Viable
Product (MVP) Stage

Maximum 12 startups which are shortlisted at the Idea Stage will proceed to build a minimum viable product around their proposed idea. To provide guidance and required mentorship, workshops will be conducted.

The startup members will have to build a minimum viable product of their idea which can be converted into a fully deployable product. The time allocated for building minimum viable product is 8 weeks.

After 8 weeks, startups have to submit, product code as well as documentation on the portal. MVP developed by these startups will be judged by a jury panel.

Based on the decision of the jury maximum 6 startups will be shortlisted and will advance to the next stage.

Shortlisted startups at this stage will be provided with INR 10 lakh as award money to further develop the product.

Final
Stage

Startups shortlisted in the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Stage would move to the next stage and start building a deployable product based on their MVP. The teams will also be facilitated with the mentorship workshop for guidance on further development. The time allocated for building deployable product from the start of this stage is 12 weeks.

Startups have to submit product code as well as documentation on the grand challenge portal. Final product developed by these startups will be evaluated by the jury panel.

The winning team will be awarded a prize money of Rs 1 crore. Furthermore, first and second runner up will receive prize money of Rs 60 lakh and Rs 40 lakh respectively.

More Information

Click the below icons to view the Information
  • Registration Process
  • Evaluation Process & Parameters
  • Rules & Guidelines

Contact Us

grand-challenge[at]meity[dot]gov[dot]in
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Last Updated:July 29, 2020 at 10:24 am - innov-145