Kattankulathur, November 8, 2025:
The Department of Networking and Communications, School of Computing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), inaugurated the Grand Finale of H7CTF 2025, a national-level cybersecurity challenge that brought together participants from premier universities and industry teams across India and beyond. The final phase welcomed over 2,500 participants representing more than 20 countries, marking the event as one of India’s largest and most anticipated cybersecurity challenge platforms.
The event was graced by Mr. Md. Shakeel Akhter, I.P.S. (Retd.), State Chief Information Commissioner, Government of Tamil Nadu, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, he highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity in every aspect of life and encouraged students to look beyond winning to contributing meaningfully to public digital safety.
“Cybersecurity today is not a specialised field; it is a necessity across every sector. Compete not just to win, but to learn, to grow, and to push the boundaries of what is possible. Every challenge you solve brings us one step closer to a more secure digital world,” he said. He further emphasised the responsibility of young technologists, adding, “Apart from innovation, the younger generation must also play a major role in creating awareness. Society will be safe in the hands of informed and responsible youth.”
The event was presided over by the academic and administrative leadership of the institution. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Leenus Jesu Martin M., Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRMIST-KTR, stated, “In today’s world, skill has greater value than theoretical knowledge alone. Hackathons like H7CTF provide real-world problem-solving exposure that industries now expect from day one. Your ability to apply fundamentals and innovate will define your future.” He also highlighted SRMIST’s initiative to award academic credits for hackathon participation and achievements, enabling students to convert competitive learning into academic progression.
Mr. Venkata Sastry N., Director, Career Center, SRMIST-KTR, spoke about the evolving industry landscape and the accelerating need for innovation. “The future belongs to innovators. As industries adapt to AI-driven change, cybersecurity remains a domain of expanding opportunity. Events like H7CTF develop the mindset to solve real problems, collaborate effectively, and create solutions that scale,” he said, emphasising SRMIST’s shift from placement-focused to innovation-driven career development.
SRMIST also acknowledged its continued collaboration with EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity education. Ms. Sujithra Menon, Regional Manager (South), EC-Council, shared her reflections on the long-standing association, stating, “This campus has consistently nurtured talent that is future-ready. Cybersecurity is no longer just an industry skill, but a life skill. Platforms like H7CTF help shape not just experts, but responsible defenders of the digital world.”
Dr. M. Lakshmi, Professor and Head, Department of Networking and Communications, SRMIST-KTR, highlighted the student-driven origins of the initiative. “H7CTF began as an idea initiated by our students, and today it has grown into a national platform with industry collaboration and participation from across the country. We are proud to host 2,500 participants and 26 finalist teams on campus,” she said, while acknowledging the decade-long EC-Council partnership that has enabled students to earn globally recognized certifications such as CEH.
Mr. Abdul Rahman, Final Year Cybersecurity Student and Student Coordinator, spoke about the competition’s broad domain challenges: “H7CTF is where knowledge meets innovation. With challenges ranging from blockchain security to binary exploitation, this platform prepares the next generation of cyber defenders to secure the digital future.” He also noted the participation of over 10 cybersecurity industry partners, reflecting the competition’s expanding national influence.
The ceremony concluded with the formal declaration of the competition open, setting the stage for intense rounds of technical problem-solving, digital forensics, ethical hacking challenges, and collaborative cybersecurity drills.
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