Power System Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024: A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration

The Power System Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 concluded successfully on October 15th, marking a vibrant two-day event that celebrated innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Hosted by the Department of Water Resources Development and Management (WRD&M) and the Centre for Sustainable Energy at IIT Roorkee, in association with iHub DivyaSampark and THDC India Limited, the hackathon aimed to find innovative solutions to secure power systems against cyber threats. Participants hailed from prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and various government and private organizations across India, reflecting a broad spectrum of talent and expertise.

A Month and a Half of Preparation

The hackathon spanned over a month and a half, during which participants engaged in various rounds of online scrutiny. The competitive nature of the event was evident as numerous entries were submitted, showcasing a wealth of innovative cybersecurity solutions. After rigorous evaluations, ten teams were shortlisted to advance to the final phase, which took place over two days—October 14th and 15th—at the IIT Roorkee campus.

Day One: Presentations and Demonstrations

The event kicked off on October 14th with an engaging series of poster presentations, followed by live demonstrations where the ten shortlisted teams showcased their projects. These teams had been working tirelessly to develop cybersecurity solutions tailored to protect the power sector from vulnerabilities and attacks. Each team brought unique perspectives and ideas to the table, demonstrating their technical prowess and commitment to addressing critical cybersecurity challenges.

Day Two: Prize Distribution and Felicitation Ceremony

The second day of the hackathon, October 15th, was dedicated to the prize distribution and felicitation ceremony, where the final winners were announced and honored. The ceremony began with a welcome address by Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah, Hackathon Coordinator and Head of WRD&M. He emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure and highlighted how such initiatives can drive innovation and strengthen the power sector.

Following this, Prof. Soumitra Satapathi, Head of the Centre for Sustainable Energy, introduced participants to ongoing research activities and encouraged collaboration on future projects in the field of cybersecurity and sustainable energy. Prof. Abdul Saleem Mir, another Hackathon Coordinator from the Electrical Engineering Department, provided an overview of the hackathon process, tracing the journey from the online rounds to the offline demonstrations. He praised the participants for their innovative approaches and efforts throughout the event.

Unveiling Research and Recognizing Excellence

The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a special book titled ‘Research Metrics of Hydro-Electric Systems Group of WRD&M Dept.’ This publication highlights the research accomplishments of the Hydropower Simulation Lab (HSL) and Power Electronics & Hydroelectric Machines (PEHEM) Laboratories, showcasing the depth of research being conducted in the field.

The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived with the announcement of the hackathon winners. The top three teams were recognized for their outstanding contributions, with prizes awarded by Prof. Deepak Khare, Chief Guest and Dean of Finance and Planning at IIT Roorkee. In his address, Prof. Khare emphasized the national importance of cybersecurity in the power sector, citing examples such as the 2021 Mumbai blackout, and highlighted how this event aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Shri Kapil Gupta, Guest of Honour and Chief Manager and Head of Electrification & Automation Business Development at Siemens Ltd., spoke about the industrial significance of the hackathon and the relevance of the participants’ solutions in addressing current and future challenges.

Celebrating Achievements

The event concluded with the presentation of mementos to the guests, judges, and student coordinators, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks by Prof. Premalata Jena, Hackathon Coordinator from the Electrical Engineering Department. She expressed her gratitude to all those involved in making the hackathon a success and motivated the participants by stating, “Each of you is a winner.”

The winners of the hackathon were:

• Winner: Subal Beura and Amit Kumar from IIT Ropar, receiving a prize of ₹40,000.
• First Runner-Up: Shewtank Agarwal and Ashish Kumar from IIT Roorkee, awarded ₹25,000.
• Second Runner-Up: Prabhat Kumar Vidyarthi and Sugandha Kumari from NIT Patna, with a prize of ₹16,000.

In addition to the top three prizes, three teams were recognized for their innovative solutions with ₹8,000 each, and four teams received consolation prizes of ₹5,000 each.

A Cultural Experience

After the event, participants were taken on an industrial tour to the Pathri Power House in Haridwar, where they witnessed hydropower generation systems in action. This was followed by a visit to Har Ki Pauri, where they experienced the cultural significance of the location and participated in the evening Ganga Aarti, enriching their experience beyond the technical realm.

A Message of Encouragement

The organizing committee extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants, faculty members, sponsors, and industrial partners who contributed to making this event a grand success. The Director of IIT Roorkee, Prof. K.K. Pant, sent a congratulatory message to all participants of the Power System Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024, praising their innovative solutions and teamwork. He commended the organizing team for their dedication and successful execution of the event, expressing his best wishes for the participants’ future endeavors and sharing his hope for more such impactful events in the future.

In conclusion, the Power System Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024 not only showcased the innovative spirit of young minds but also highlighted the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in the power sector. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, events like these play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and driving advancements in technology that can safeguard our critical infrastructure.