Ahmedabad, Aug 19 (IANS) Cybercrime could become a bigger challenge than traditional offences such as theft and robbery over the next 10 years, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Wednesday as he called for sustained collaboration between the police, technology experts, start-ups and young innovators to strengthen the state’s cyber security capabilities.
Speaking at the national-level KANAD S.H.I.E.L.D. Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 organised by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime at the KCG Campus (i-Hub Gujarat) in Ahmedabad, Sanghavi said the growing threat could no longer be treated as an issue confined to Gujarat and required collective efforts.
“Over the next 10 years, cybercrime is likely to increase compared to traditional crime. This is no longer an issue limited to Gujarat but has become a global challenge. To prevent such serious crimes that affect society, collective and sustained efforts are essential,” he said.
Sanghavi said the hackathon was intended to go beyond a competition and help identify technological solutions that could give Gujarat Police a new direction in tackling cybercrime.
The event has brought together youth, start-ups and innovators from across the country to develop and showcase software-based solutions for law enforcement.
He said major projects were generally entrusted to corporate companies. Still, the hackathon had created an opportunity for young innovators to demonstrate their ideas and potentially contribute directly to government projects.
“One of the key requirements today is an AI-based automated software system. At present, we receive visual footage through CCTV cameras, but there is a need to introduce an AI-based automated software system,” Sanghavi said.
He said the state announced a special Rs 51 lakh challenge to integrate the state’s CCTV network and develop an AI-based system.
The initiative aims to use technology more effectively in policing and strengthen law enforcement agencies’ ability to analyse surveillance data.
Sanghavi also stressed that the hackathon’s objective was not limited to prize money.
“This project is not merely about winning prize money. Active consideration is also underway to provide the winning youth and their start-ups with an opportunity to work directly with the State Government in the future,” he said.
He urged the state’s technology-oriented youth to participate in such initiatives and use innovation to contribute to the development of a “Viksit Gujarat”.
The hackathon aimed to strengthen cyber security in the digital era and equip law enforcement agencies with modern technological tools.
Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik, Additional Chief Secretary (Education Department) Mukesh Kumar, Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, Home Secretary Nipuna Torwane, Ahmedabad Range Inspector General of Police Raghavendra Vats, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal, senior police officers, cyber security experts, i-Hub representatives and IT professionals and young participants attended the event.
–IANS
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