By Khushhal Kaushik
Using computer systems and web technologies without having understanding the fundamentals of cybersecurity is akin to driving a auto without having seatbelts. Even as data technologies (IT) as a discipline has flourished in universities and colleges across the globe, cybersecurity as a structured curriculum is a somewhat current phenomenon. Although India has fared effectively in terms of emerging as a software program services energy, the nation is on its way to reinventing itself as a software program item-producing energy. At the very same time, as a key economy, coupled with the huge-scale digitisation of our financial-economic governance systems as effectively as other systems of administration, the crucial to upgrade our cybersecurity defences at par with created economies can not be overstated.
As such, the world’s second-biggest web-connected nation requires to brace itself by education a enough pool of cyber-warriors to deal with the ever-increasing cybersecurity threats posed to its IT-driven item and services infrastructure and systems. One of the largest victims of cyberattacks in current years, India was ranked the third-most cyber-attacked nation in the globe, according to a report.
Cybersecurity is distinct from network safety: There is generally confusion involving cybersecurity and network safety, with quite a few treating each as somewhat equivalent. Although each are a subset of the broader data safety, traditionally it was network safety as a common component of the IT curriculum that could be deemed closest to cybersecurity. As component of BTech/BE, MTech and MSc courses, along with subjects such as software program engineering, software program testing, network engineering, hardware assembly, testing, and so on, network safety as a separate subject made use of to be mainly taught in classrooms of colleges and universities. The distinction involving network safety and cybersecurity is that even though the former has been envisaged to safe the integrity of the IT infrastructure, the latter pertains to protection of web-connected systems and networks against digital attacks targeted at accessing, altering or sabotaging sensitive data extorting revenue from customers or interrupting standard organization processes, according to Cisco. While the former entails provisioning and administration of elements such as network-monitoring tools, firewalls, switches, routers and virtual private networks (VPNs), the latter entails monitoring of networks to detect safety breaches, installation and updating of security software program and simulation of attacks to recognize vulnerabilities. The distinction in the two definitions and the scope of work therein is self-explanatory as to why there is a will need for a separate and more structured course for cybersecurity in colleges and universities.
A flurry of courses on cybersecurity: Although not fairly sufficient to meet the surge in demand, there has been a flurry of specialised and standalone courses on cybersecurity introduced by each government and private players in current years. Ranging from component-time to distance mastering to on line mode with varied provisions for certification, diploma and degree programmes, these courses have discovered recognition amongst university students as effectively as profession pros. The Covid-19-driven shift to on line education with the rise of on line education portals and the increasing cybersecurity threat through the lockdown has provided a renewed impetus to this trend. Not only are best universities supplying courses, but IT businesses are also advancing courses in cybersecurity.
According to a well-known education sector tracking web page, there are 204 colleges—both government and private—offering programmes in cybersecurity at UG and PG levels. The government has instructed the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology with its 24 centres to launch courses on cybersecurity. Government-backed initiatives consist of the launch of an on line PG diploma in cyber law, crime investigation and digital forensics by the National eGovernance Division in partnership with the National Law Institute University, Bhopal, to train law enforcement and judicial officers. Also, in April, IIT Madras launched the Certified Cyber Warriors v.3. course.
Need for more cybersecurity pros: Despite the raise in recognition cybersecurity as a course, these are not sufficient. Against an estimated demand for a million cybersecurity specialists, India has much less than 10,000 pros. It’s time cybersecurity as a specialised discipline with all its attendant sub-disciplines becomes an integral element of IT syllabus getting taught in our university systems as effectively as outdoors. At the very same time, we will need to strengthen the foundations of our human sources by enhancing the high quality of our STEM graduates. The marketplace for cybersecurity is anticipated to develop to $3.05 billion by 2022 at a CAGR of 15.6%—nearly a single and a half occasions the worldwide price, according to a PwC report. Only a substantially huge quantity of cybersecurity pros would be capable to meet this demand.
The author is founder & CEO, Lisianthus Tech