The event is designed to foster collaboration between innovators, researchers, and academicians across the country
Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s leading public sector banks, has announced its inaugural Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024-25 under the theme “Code Against Malware.” The initiative aims to address the growing threat of cybercrime and strengthen the cybersecurity landscape in the banking sector.
The event is designed to foster collaboration between innovators, researchers, and academicians across the country. It emphasises the importance of partnerships between financial institutions, technology experts, and research communities to stay ahead of the evolving cyber threat landscape.
The hackathon is open to students, researchers, and professionals from academic institutions, research organisations, and the tech community. Participants, whether competing individually or in teams, will work on key focus areas including:
Malware detection and removal using intelligence-powered solutions.
Real-time threat monitoring and mitigation tools.
Ransomware resilience mechanisms.
Development of next-generation antivirus tools.
Comprehensive attack surface management frameworks.
Participants are tasked with developing innovative cybersecurity frameworks tailored to the banking sector. These solutions are expected to detect, mitigate, and prevent malware attacks effectively.
The winners of the competition will not only receive cash prizes totalling INR 11 lakhs (approximately USD 13,000) but will also gain the opportunity to deploy their solutions in real-world banking environments. This unique chance will enable participants to tackle critical cybersecurity challenges with practical implications.
The initiative is in alignment with the Ministry of Finance’s directives and the Department of Financial Services’ mandate for Public Sector Banks to organise annual hackathons. The hackathon underscores PNB’s commitment to leveraging technology for robust cybersecurity measures as the banking sector continues its digital transformation.
By launching this programme, PNB reaffirms its position at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation, focusing on protecting customer data and safeguarding sensitive financial information amidst increasing digital threats.
