New Delhi, June 30: The University Grants Commission (UGC) had recently urged higher education institutions across India to participate in the “CCTV Surveillance Security & Forensics Hackathon 2.0”, an initiative led by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), Ministry of Home Affairs. The Hackathon, aimed at advancing innovation in indigenous, secure, and cost-effective surveillance and forensic solutions, witnessed strong interest from academia, start-ups, and research institutions. A curtain raiser for the initiative was held on May 9, 2025.
Registration for the Hackathon closed on June 28, 2025, following a nationwide call to students, faculty members, researchers, and technologists to develop solutions that meet the operational and investigative needs of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). Participants will now engage in problem-solving activities focused on real-world CCTV and forensic challenges.
SECURITY TODAY, India’s leading magazine on security management, has lauded the initiative, stating:
“In an era where cyberattacks increasingly target CCTV infrastructure and connected security systems, this Hackathon is a much-needed intervention. It not only encourages technological self-reliance but also directs attention to the cyber resilience of our surveillance networks.”
The editorial team further noted that this effort comes at a crucial time, dovetailing with the Indian government’s STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) mandate for CCTV manufacturers. This regulation seeks to ensure that surveillance equipment deployed in the country meets minimum security and quality standards—underscoring the growing recognition that hardware security is just as critical as cybersecurity in today’s threat landscape.
By linking innovation, regulatory compliance, and public-private-academic collaboration, the Hackathon signals a forward-thinking approach to securing India’s evolving surveillance infrastructure.
