IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur launch practice-oriented Bachelor’s programme in Cybersecurity
Chennai, July 3 (TNT): The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and IIT Kanpur have jointly launched India’s first practice-oriented four-year Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B.Cyber.) programme to address the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.
The programme, commencing in the 2026-27 academic year, combines classroom learning with extensive practical training, including a unique two-year field deployment project in which students will work on live cybersecurity assignments under the guidance of industry professionals. Admissions to the programme will be conducted jointly by the two IITs.
The course aims to prepare graduates for careers in cyber defence, security operations centres, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, digital forensics, malware analysis, cloud security, hardware security and protection of critical infrastructure, the Institute said in a release here on Friday.
It also provides a foundation for higher studies and research in cybersecurity and computer science.
IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti said cybersecurity has become critical to India’s technological sovereignty and national security, requiring professionals with strong theoretical knowledge as well as extensive hands-on experience.
He said the programme introduces a new model of undergraduate education by integrating academic excellence with real-world practice to create a pipeline of highly skilled cybersecurity professionals capable of securing the country’s digital future.
The curriculum adopts a competency-based approach covering areas such as security operations, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, secure systems, malware analysis, firmware reverse engineering, hardware security, cloud security and critical infrastructure security.
Students will also have the option to pursue advanced electives in digital forensics, embedded systems security, secure processor microarchitecture and applied cryptography.
According to the institutes, India currently faces a shortage of nearly 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals, making dedicated undergraduate education in the field a strategic national priority as the country accelerates digital transformation across governance, finance, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing and defence.
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