IIT Kanpur Launches Cybersecurity Programme For Over 3 Lakh Students In 570+ Colleges

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has partnered with Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University (DBRAU), Agra, and the Vivekanand Incubation Foundation (VIF) to launch a large-scale vocational programme in cybersecurity. The initiative aims to provide cybersecurity education to more than 3 lakh students across 570-plus affiliated colleges.

The programme will be developed and delivered by C3iHub, IIT Kanpur’s cybersecurity technology centre. It will be conducted entirely online and in Hindi, with the objective of making cybersecurity education more accessible to students, particularly those in semi-urban and rural areas.

Online Programme To Focus On Practical Cybersecurity Skills

The vocational course is designed to provide students with essential knowledge of cybersecurity and practical skills relevant to everyday digital safety. The curriculum will cover areas including cybercrime, cyber hygiene, identity theft, personal data leaks, social media threats and online safety.

The Hindi delivery is intended to reduce language barriers that can prevent students from accessing technical education that is predominantly offered in English. The programme therefore seeks to extend cybersecurity learning beyond students pursuing specialised engineering or technology courses.

IIT Kanpur, DBRAU And VIF Join Hands

Under the tripartite agreement, C3iHub will develop and deliver the curriculum, drawing on IIT Kanpur’s research and training expertise in cybersecurity. VIF will provide the administrative and technical infrastructure required to deliver the programme at scale.

Alongside the vocational programme, DBRAU will establish a Cybersecurity Counselling Cell. The cell will support students in addressing cybercrime incidents and promote preventive awareness around online threats.

Programme Targets Students Across 570-Plus Colleges

DBRAU has a large affiliated network, giving the initiative the potential to reach students across a wide geographical and academic base. By making the programme available online in Hindi, the partners aim to ensure that students from different educational backgrounds can access basic cybersecurity training.

The initiative comes as digital risks increasingly affect students and other internet users, making awareness of cyber hygiene, personal data protection and online safety an important part of education.