The InfoSec University Hackathon (IUH), India’s Premier Virtual Cybersecurity Hackathon, successfully concluded on January 31, 2025, with impressive participation and facilitation of exceptional talents in the field of Cybersecurity. Organized by Synchrony in collaboration with the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE), the hackathon saw thousands of students from across India come together to showcase their skills in tackling real-world cybersecurity challenges.

The event began with Round 1 (MCQ) from December 21-22, 2024, followed by Round 2: Capture the Flag (CTF) on January 11, 2025. Over 2,000 registrations were received, with 800+ participants advancing to the final round. The winners will take home a share of ₹3+ Lakhs in prizes. In addition, shortlisted pre-final and final year students will be offered valuable internships and the opportunity to interview for roles at Synchrony.

This year’s successful edition has set the stage for an even larger and more impactful event in the coming years.

InfoSec University Hackathon Winners:

• India Top 3: Puru Singhvi, Dyanesh S and Pratik Puri

• Women Top 2: Deepali Kewat and Shruti Sarawagi

• Best Write-up Top 2: Aayush Aggarwal and Om Sagar

Congratulating winners and applauding Synchrony & CCoE’s initiative, Sri Harshvardhan, IPS, RR, SP, TGCSB, Hyderabad, Chief Guest, IUH, said, "With 40% women participation, the InfoSec University Hackathon is fostering diversity and showcasing top cybersecurity talent. Initiatives like Hackathons, including recently concluded CCoE and TGCSB’s Great AppSec Hackathon, highlight the growing interest and industry demand for skilled professionals in the field of Cybersecurity.

"Thank you for making the Infosec University Hackathon a grand success. It was incredible to see all the talent on display from our next-gen cybersecurity professionals. We hope this immersive experience will inspire all the participants to continue innovating and shaping the future of cyber security. Most importantly, all these key contributions today will resonate as part of the broader effort to build a secure digital world.” said Pravesh Sharma, Head of Information Security India at Synchrony.

"We are excited to see such an overwhelming response to the InfoSec University Hackathon from across India and around the world. This initiative is crucial for fostering a robust cybersecurity ecosystem," added Dr. Sriram Birudavolu, CEO, CCoE-DSCI.

The hackathon not only provided a competitive platform for students but also fostered collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity. It also paved the way for future leaders of cybersecurity to enhance their skills and embark on career opportunities in the industry.