Kaspersky teams up with MIT Bengaluru for HackSky cybersecurity contest

Alongside the hackathon, Kaspersky will host the Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS), a game-based cybersecurity training at the same venue that simulates real-world attacks to build awareness and response skills

Kaspersky has partnered with the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Bengaluru, MAHE, to launch HackSky, a 48-hour on-campus hackathon scheduled for July 29–30, 2025. The event is open to tech students, young cybersecurity professionals, and enthusiasts from across India and will be hosted at the MIT Bengaluru campus. HackSky aims to foster innovation and collaboration within the cybersecurity community.

The winner, whether an individual or a team, will receive a grand prize of ₹1 lakh, sponsored by MIT Bengaluru, MAHE. Additionally, winners will gain access to specialized cybersecurity training courses and mentorship from Kaspersky experts, providing valuable support for their career growth in the field.

“As cyberthreats grow more sophisticated and widespread, the need for a new generation of cybersecurity experts has never been greater,” said Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Cybersecurity Education at Kaspersky. “We expect this hackathon to bring together the brightest tech minds, coders, cybersecurity professionals, and enthusiasts to tackle real-world challenges like disinformation, deepfakes, and AI-driven scams. Through our partnership with MIT Bengaluru, one of India’s premier institutions, we aim to nurture emerging talent, encourage adversarial thinking, and build solutions that strengthen digital security and cyber resilience.”

HackSky Tracks

HackSky will feature three challenge tracks, each designed by Kaspersky experts to reflect real-world, high-impact cybersecurity threats:

1. The Transformation of ICS and the Emergence of Cyber Threats

Industrial Control Systems (ICS), once a niche area, now form the backbone of critical infrastructure — expanding the attack surface for malicious actors. Participants will identify vulnerabilities in ICS systems and design solutions to protect critical infrastructure from evolving threats.

2. AI vs AI: Detecting Deepfakes and Misinformation

AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes are increasingly used for political manipulation, social engineering, and cyber warfare. This track challenges participants to harness AI to detect and neutralize deepfakes, malicious algorithms, and AI-powered scams.

3. Trapping the Honey Trapper

Fake personas and social media honey traps are among the most deceptive forms of social engineering. Participants must develop techniques to detect and dismantle malicious content and fake profiles used to manipulate and extract sensitive information.

“We are delighted to host HackSky in collaboration with Kaspersky at our Bengaluru campus,” said Dr. Iven Jose, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, –MAHE. “This prestigious event offers a dynamic platform for emerging and established tech talent to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. Our partnership with Kaspersky underscores our deep commitment to nurturing a future-ready cybersecurity workforce by equipping students with cutting-edge skills and hands-on industry exposure.”

Participants can register as individuals or in teams of up to three members. HackSky is open to all residents of India aged 16-25 years who are enrolled at academic institutions in the country.

KIPS Game

In addition to the hackathon, Kaspersky will also host the Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS) competition on 31st July 2025 at the same venue. KIPS is a game-based cybersecurity training that simulates real-world cyberattacks, helping participants build security awareness and incident response skills.

The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Kaspersky and MIT Bengaluru in October 2024, aimed at promoting knowledge exchange, curriculum development, and the expansion of India’s cybersecurity.