Prayagraj: Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), in collaboration with Central Bank of India, has launched the Cyber Security Hackathon-2026. The event invites students from IITs, NITs, and other government institutions to develop innovative solutions aimed at combating the rising threat of online banking frauds.
Competition Structure
The hackathon will be conducted in three stages. In the first phase, ideas and concepts submitted by participants will be screened. The second round will require selected teams to present their prototypes and proof-of-concept models.
The final round will be held at the MNNIT campus in Prayagraj, where the top eight teams selected by an expert jury will compete for the grand prize. The winning team will receive a cash award of Rs 5 lakh.
Focus on AI and Behavioral Authentication
Officials explained that the primary goal is to prevent cybercriminals from accessing bank accounts through phishing, stolen credentials, and account takeover techniques. The hackathon will heavily emphasize behavioral authentication systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
Participants are required to create systems capable of identifying genuine users based on their behavioral patterns, rather than relying solely on passwords. If an individual attempts to log in from an unusual device or exhibits behavior that deviates from their regular usage pattern, the AI-based system would instantly detect the anomaly and trigger a security alert.
Cutting-Edge Technologies
According to Prof. Mayank Pandey, a member of the organizing committee, participants will work on advanced technologies such as AI-driven fraud detection systems, real-time cyberattack monitoring, secure digital transaction platforms, and sophisticated data encryption methods.
Registration Details
Online registrations for the competition will remain open until May 18. Interested students from eligible institutions are encouraged to apply and contribute to the fight against cybercrime in the banking sector.
