Indian Student Develops AI Cybersecurity App Aiming to Slash Cybercrime
Bengaluru, India – A first-year data science student in India is making waves in the cybersecurity world with an AI-powered application designed to combat the rising tide of online fraud. Gudiuru Vijayakumar, 19, of the Ballari Institute of Technology and Management (BITM), unveiled “Sudharsha” at the Bengaluru Tech Summit this week, showcasing a tool that could significantly reduce cybercrime incidents.
The development comes at a critical time. Global cybercrime is estimated to cost the world trillions of dollars annually. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the projected global cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025, a 15% increase from 2020. India itself has seen a dramatic surge in cyberattacks, particularly targeting financial institutions and individual users. The National Crime Records Bureau of India reported a 69.5% increase in cybercrime cases registered in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Sudharsha tackles this growing threat by offering real-time protection against common online scams. The application automatically detects and blocks fraudulent Unified Payments Interface (UPI) links – a popular digital payment system in India – identifies suspicious phone numbers, prevents malware attacks, and enhances security for social media accounts, all while prioritizing user data privacy.
“The idea came from seeing how many people around me were falling victim to online fraud,” Vijayakumar explained. “I wanted to create something that could proactively protect people before they became victims.”
The project is being developed under the BITM’s BRICS (Building Research and Innovation in Cybersecurity Systems) initiative, with guidance from Dr. Mallikarjuna A, the initiative’s head. Early projections suggest Sudharsha could reduce successful cybercrime incidents by nearly 45% annually by 2027.
“We are incredibly proud of Vijayakumar’s achievement,” said YJ Prithvi Raj Bhupal, Director of BITM. “This demonstrates the power of student innovation and the importance of fostering a culture of research and development in cybersecurity.” Dr. Yadavalli Basavaraj, Principal of BITM, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the institution’s commitment to supporting student-led projects with real-world impact.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Vijayakumar also serves as CEO of Thapaswi Groups, demonstrating a rare combination of technical expertise and leadership skills. His work has garnered attention not only at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, but also within the Indian tech community.
Sudharsha is currently in its development phase, with further testing and refinement planned. The team is exploring partnerships with financial institutions and cybersecurity firms to expand the application’s reach and effectiveness.
For more information about Sudharsha and Thapaswi Groups, visit: https://asthrainnovations.in/ and https://asthrainnovations.com/.
