CERT-In reported that AI agents reached live Indian systems using passwords and keys left in plain text. Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, explains the AI agent security risks, prompt injection, phishing and the post quantum threat. In this exclusive Front Page interview, Sudhi Sachdev speaks with Professor Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, whose centre signed an agreement with NPCI on 24 October. Watch to learn what the CERT-In advisory says about cyber hygiene, why India lacks a bug bounty culture, how prompt injection and AI phishing work, where humans must stay in the loop, how UPI fraud awareness can improve, and what India’s quantum mission means for cryptography.

Global technology company, Affle 3i Limited has announced the launch of the ‘Kedia Doctoral Research Scholarship’ at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad). According to a release from the institute on Friday, the launch is in commemorating 20 years of leadership and contributions by its COO – India & Emerging Markets, Vipul Kedia. Mr. Kedia, an alumnus of IIIT Hyderabad, said the scholarship reflects Affle’s commitment to innovation, research excellence and creating a lasting societal impact. Supported by annual contributions from Affle, the scholarship will fund one doctoral researcher every year for the next 20 years, covering tuition fee, stipend, research expenses and dissemination costs.

Indigenous technologies in electronics and information technology, with a focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT), were showcased at a technology roadshow held at the CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) on Wednesday, 4th November 2026. MosChip Technologies CEO and managing director Kakumanu Srinivasa and IIIT Hyderabad professor Sandeep Kumar Shukla attended as guests of honour. The event, organised by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, in association with SAMEER and C-MET, was a precursor to Tec-Verse 2026, scheduled for November 26 and 27 at the Chennai Trade Centre. Two parallel sessions focused on cybersecurity, quantum technologies, Al and lot.