Policy Watch
5G-Powered Policing: Vimarsh 2023 Hackathon Puts Cybersecurity Center Stage
NEW DELHI: In a groundbreaking event that promises to revolutionize the way law enforcement agencies harness the power of technology, the Curtain Raiser of Vimarsh – 2023, a National Hackathon focused on 5G technology use for the police, was inaugurated on Thursday in New Delhi. The event not only marked the beginning of an exciting journey but also saw the unveiling of a teaser and the official website of the Hackathon, https://vimarsh.tcoe.in, by none other than Balaji Srivastava, Director General of the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).
Distinguished Figures on the Dais
Joining Balaji Srivastava on the dais were several notable figures who play a pivotal role in shaping India’s cyber security landscape. Ajay Kumar Sahu, Chairman of Telecom Centre of Excellence; Chandraker Bharti, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); Anupama Nilekar Chandra, ADG BPR&D; Rekha Lohani, Director (Modernisation), BPR&D; and Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), all graced the event with their presence.
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A National Priority
Securing a Cyber Safe India has become a top priority for the Ministry of Home Affairs. The government of India is steadfastly committed to strengthening the technological capabilities of our law enforcement agencies. Recognizing the global significance of cyber security, India aims to emerge as a cybersecurity stronghold.
BPR&D Takes the Lead
The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) has been designated as the Centre of Excellence for 5G applications within the Ministry of Home Affairs. In line with this, BPR&D has launched the Vimarsh 2023 Hackathon with the primary objective of developing tools to address the challenges encountered by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
For this monumental endeavor, BPR&D has formulated nine distinct Problem Statements. To ensure a comprehensive approach, the Department of Telecom (DOT) and its subsidiary, Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE), have joined hands with BPR&D to conduct the Hackathon. These Problem Statements, complete with detailed descriptions and multimedia content, are now accessible on the dedicated website https://vimarsh.tcoe.in.
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Three Stages to Success
The Vimarsh 2023 Hackathon will progress through three stages, involving both virtual and physical components. Stages I and II, dedicated to the screening of ideas, will be conducted virtually. In contrast, Stage III will be hosted at nodal centers in physical mode, featuring 5G testbeds, private networks, and labs.
During the physical Stage III, a jury comprising members from BPR&D, I4C, DOT, and industry experts will evaluate the solutions presented. Subsequently, the winners of each of the nine Problem Statements will be announced during the Valedictory Session in February 2024, with each winning team receiving an award of Rs 1.5 Lakhs.
Investing in the Future
To foster the development and utilization of the winning ideas, a significant sum of Rs 2.5 Lakhs has been earmarked for productization and the creation of Proof of Concepts (POCs). This investment will drive further incubation, incentivization, and funding to transform these concepts into practical tools and solutions for the benefit of Law Enforcement Agencies.
Vimarsh 2023 signifies a significant leap forward in India’s efforts to harness the potential of 5G technology for the safety and security of its citizens. As the Hackathon unfolds and brilliant minds converge to tackle the challenges faced by law enforcement, the future of cyber safety in India appears brighter than ever.