IIT Kanpur, Ambedkar University Agra launch cybersecurity course for over 3 lakh students across 570 colleges

IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub, a cybersecurity technology center, has joined forces with Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University (DBRAU) in Agra, and the Vivekanand Incubation Foundation (VIF) to introduce an online vocational cybersecurity program for over 3 lakh students enrolled in DBRAU’s affiliated colleges. The program, delivered entirely online in Hindi, aims to make cybersecurity education more accessible, particularly for students in semi-urban and rural areas who may encounter language barriers while accessing technical courses primarily in English.

The curriculum focuses on practical cybersecurity knowledge, everyday digital safety, and addresses various cyber threats, including cybercrime, social media dangers, identity theft, personal data leaks, online safety for women and children, the dark web, cyber terrorism, and illegal activities. Students will engage in quizzes and workshops as part of the course.

Customized virtual labs will offer practical exposure, enabling students to grasp cybersecurity concepts through real-world applications. Course feedback will also be incorporated into the program.

Under the collaboration, C3iHub will design and deliver the cybersecurity curriculum, leveraging its expertise in research and training. The Vivekanand Incubation Foundation will provide the necessary administrative and technical infrastructure to deliver the program at scale across the university’s affiliated institutions. Additionally, a dedicated Cybersecurity Counselling Cell (CCC) will be established at the university to tackle cybercrime incidents and offer prevention and support related to cybersecurity threats.

The program is not limited to engineering students; instead, it aims to impart foundational cybersecurity knowledge to students from diverse academic backgrounds. The emphasis on cyber hygiene, online threats, personal data protection, and digital safety ensures relevance across various disciplines. Prof. Ashu Rani, Vice Chancellor of DBRAU, highlighted that the program will make cybersecurity education available to a vast student community in their native language, emphasizing the growing importance of cybersecurity skills beyond engineering and technology fields.

This initiative forms part of a broader collaboration between C3iHub, IIT Kanpur, DBRAU, and VIF aimed at expanding access to cybersecurity education across more than 570 affiliated colleges.