IIT Kanpur embarks on strengthening India's digital defences

C3iHub at IIT Kanpur has launched the "Cyber Commando Training Program," a six-month residential course designed to strengthen India's cybersecurity defences. The program is a collaboration between the Union Home Ministry and the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It aims to train skilled professionals who will help safeguard the nation's digital infrastructure and respond to increasing cyber threats.

The launch event, held on 9 October 2024, saw the presence of several key officials, including Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C, and Mayank Ghildiyal, Deputy Director of I4C. C3iHub leaders, including Interim CEO Dr. Tanima Hajra, also participated.

The program focuses on creating a team of cyber commandos who will be stationed within State and Central Police Forces, ready to tackle the growing number of cybersecurity issues facing the country. These trained specialists will work to secure critical digital systems, making sure that government agencies and institutions are protected from cyberattacks.

Prof. Amalendu Chandra, Acting Director of IIT Kanpur, highlighted the importance of the program, saying, "This training is a critical part of India’s mission to secure its digital infrastructure. The collaboration between C3iHub, I4C, and the Union Home Ministry shows our commitment to building a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce."

Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Program Director at C3iHub, added, "This training goes beyond simply teaching cybersecurity. It’s about building a proactive framework that ensures our institutions are well-prepared to face the complex cyber threats of today."

A total of 38 officials from various Central and State police forces will undergo this intensive training. The hands-on approach will cover many aspects of cybersecurity, enabling participants to address cyber threats, handle security incidents, and establish strong defence mechanisms across multiple sectors.