When most people find their email accounts compromised, panic often ensues. Some rush to reset their passwords, while others seek help from law enforcement. However, when a 14-year-old boy in Ahmedabad encountered the same issue, he chose to embrace curiosity rather than succumb to fear. This seemingly minor cyber incident became the catalyst for what would evolve into one of India’s most esteemed cybersecurity firms.
Today, Sunny Vaghela stands as the founder of Tech Defence Lab Solutions, a publicly traded cybersecurity company valued at nearly ₹600 crore. The firm safeguards over 600 major organisations, including the Adani Group. His remarkable journey—from a schoolboy experimenting with hacking to aiding police in terror investigations and establishing a listed tech enterprise—embodies a unique blend of passion, persistence, and purpose.
A Spark of Curiosity That Became a Skill
Sunny’s fascination with hacking ignited in 1999 while he was in Class 9. After inadvertently clicking on a deceptive link, his email account was compromised. Instead of panicking, he turned to the internet, determined to understand the mechanics behind the breach. Lacking formal instruction, he dedicated nearly 14 hours a day to study internet hacking tactics quietly honing his skills.
Due in large part to familial expectations, Sunny enrolled in Nirma University’s Electronics and Communication Engineering program.However, his true passion remained rooted in ethical hacking and cybersecurity.
A College Seminar That Redefined His Identity
While at university, Sunny organised a seminar on “Hacking”, a subject many dismissed as irrelevant to engineering. Undeterred, he aimed to showcase its significance by conducting a live phishing demonstration, collecting login credentials from classmates through a counterfeit Yahoo link. In a stunning display, he accessed a student’s email account in real-time, leaving the audience in awe. Overnight, he earned the moniker “Sunny Hacker”, bolstering his confidence.
From SMS Spoofing to National Recognition
As the college buzz faded, Sunny delved into more complex vulnerabilities, uncovering SMS spoofing, which enabled sending SMS from any number. What started as a private experiment quickly garnered national attention when a journalist noticed a spoofed message originating from his own number. Rather than complain, the journalist invited Sunny on national TV that same evening, thrusting him into the limelight.
Collaborating with Police and Tackling Terror Cases
In 2006, Sunny identified security vulnerabilities on Orkut, which led to a call from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch. With limited cyber expertise, the police sought his assistance. Over the next two years, Sunny played a pivotal role in resolving over 100 cybercrime cases and was instrumental in establishing Ahmedabad’s Cyber Cell.
His most significant contributions emerged during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the serial blasts in Ahmedabad. By scrutinising emails, server logs, and VOIP communications, Sunny aided authorities in tracing the digital footprints of terrorists and gathering vital intelligence, showcasing the critical role of cybersecurity in national security.
Proving Himself at Home and Launching a Business
Despite his accomplishments, Sunny’s father urged him to pursue a more conventional path—joining the family business, securing a job, or moving abroad. Sunny stood firm in his resolve. His father challenged him to generate within three months via cybersecurity.
Rising to the occasion, Sunny organised paid “Live Hacking” workshops. To everyone’s astonishment, 600 participants attended the inaugural session, earning him ₹6 lakh and ultimately winning his father’s support.
Transforming Tech Defence into a Listed Company
Sunny gradually transitioned from workshops to enterprise security services. Following years of awareness-building, Tech Defense was relaunched in 2017 with a focus on large organizations.
Tech Defence became one of just two publicly traded companies when it went public in September 2025. With ambitious plans for a sprawling cybersecurity campus in Ahmedabad, Sunny envisions transforming the city into a global cyber hub.
A Vision for the Future
Sunny firmly believes that privacy is delicate in the digital age and passionately advocates for cyber awareness, ethical hacking, and AI-driven defence systems. His vision is clear—to establish the India’s biggest cybersecurity firm. From a hacked email to global aspirations, Sunny Vaghela’s journey exemplifies how curiosity, courage, and conviction can reshape one’s destiny.
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