Kattankulathur, November 8, 2025:
The Department of Networking and Communications at the School of Computing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), proudly inaugurated the Grand Finale of H7CTF 2025.
This prestigious national-level cybersecurity competition gathered participants from leading universities and prominent industry teams, drawing a diverse array of competitors from India and across 20 countries, marking it as a cornerstone event in India’s cybersecurity landscape.
Mr. Md. Shakeel Akhter, I.P.S. (Retd.) and the State Chief Information Commissioner of Tamil Nadu, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
In his address, he underscored the escalating significance of cybersecurity across various facets of modern life, urging students to transcend mere victory and instead focus on making meaningful contributions to public digital safety.
“Today, cybersecurity is not confined to a niche; it permeates every sector. Compete not solely for triumph but for enlightenment, growth, and the pursuit of the possible. Each challenge you tackle propels us towards a more secure digital realm,” he articulated.
He further accentuated the onus on the younger generation, remarking, “In addition to innovation, the youth must take an active role in fostering awareness. A secure society hinges on informed and responsible youth.”
The event witnessed the presence of the institution’s academic and administrative leadership. Dr. Leenus Jesu Martin M., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at SRMIST-KTR, addressed the audience, stating, “In an ever-evolving world, practical skills eclipse theoretical knowledge.
Hackathons like H7CTF offer invaluable exposure to real-world problem-solving, which the industry demands from day one. Your capacity to implement foundational concepts and innovate will chart your professional path.”
He also highlighted SRMIST’s groundbreaking initiative to award academic credits for participation and achievements in hackathons, seamlessly integrating competitive learning with academic advancement.
Mr. Venkata Sastry N., Director of the Career Center at SRMIST-KTR, elaborated on the shifting landscape within the industry and the pressing demand for innovation. The future is the domain of innovators.
As industries pivot towards AI-integrated transformations, cybersecurity emerges as a continuously expanding realm of opportunity.
Events like H7CTF cultivate mindsets adept at addressing genuine challenges, fostering collaboration, and devising scalable solutions, he emphasized, reinforcing SRMIST’s transition from a placement-centric to an innovation-driven model of career development.
Further, SRMIST reaffirmed its enduring partnership with EC-Council, a venerated entity in cybersecurity education.
Ms. Sujithra Menon, Regional Manager (South) at EC-Council, shared her insights into their longstanding collaboration: This campus has consistently nurtured talent that is poised for the future.
Cybersecurity transcends industry-specific skills; it is now a vital life skill. Platforms like H7CTF shape not just experts but committed guardians of our digital landscape.
Dr. M. Lakshmi, Professor and Head of the Department of Networking and Communications at SRMIST-KTR, reflected on the initiative’s student-driven inception.
H7CTF began as a spark ignited by our students and has blossomed into a national platform with robust industry collaboration and participation from across the nation.
We proudly host 2,500 participants and 26 finalist teams on our campus, she remarked, acknowledging the decade-long partnership with EC-Council that has facilitated students in acquiring globally recognized certifications such as CEH.
Mr. Abdul Rahman, a final-year cybersecurity student and Student Coordinator, elaborated on the competition’s extensive array of challenges: H7CTF epitomizes the convergence of knowledge and innovation.
With challenges ranging from blockchain security to binary exploitation, this platform primes the forthcoming generation of cyber defenders to safeguard our digital future.
He also noted the involvement of over ten cybersecurity industry partners, a testament to the competition’s growing national significance.
The ceremony culminated in the official declaration of the competition’s opening, setting the stage for rigorous bouts of technical problem-solving, digital forensics, ethical hacking challenges, and collaborative cybersecurity drills.
Source link: Expressnews.asia.
