Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur have jointly launched India’s first practice-oriented four-year Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B.Cyber.) programme, which will begin with the academic year commencing July 2026. The undergraduate course has been introduced to address the growing demand for trained cybersecurity professionals and combines academic learning with extended practical training.The programme is designed to prepare students for securing India’s expanding digital infrastructure, strategic sectors and emerging cyber ecosystem. Admissions for the programme are being conducted jointly by IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur. Graduates will be equipped for careers in cyber defence, security operations centres, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, digital forensics, malware analysis, cloud security, hardware security and critical infrastructure protection, while also receiving a foundation for higher studies and research.
Cybersecurity identified as a national priority
As digital transformation expands across governance, finance, healthcare, transportation, telecommunications, manufacturing and defence, cybersecurity has become a strategic national priority. Industry estimates cited by the institutes indicate a nationwide shortage of nearly 1.5 million cybersecurity professionals, highlighting the need for dedicated undergraduate education in the field.The programme introduces a practice-oriented model that combines classroom instruction, laboratory training and professional engagement with real-world cybersecurity systems and challenges throughout the degree.
Two-year field deployment forms core of curriculum
A key feature of the programme is the two-year Field Deployment Professional Project. During the final four semesters, students will work on live cybersecurity projects under the guidance of professionals from strategic and critical organisations. The objective is to ensure graduates enter the workforce with substantial practical experience alongside academic preparation.The competency-based curriculum covers Security Operations, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, Secure Systems, Malware Analysis, Firmware Reverse Engineering, Hardware Security, Cloud Security and Critical Infrastructure Security. Students may also choose advanced electives, including Digital Forensics, Embedded Systems Security, Secure Processor Microarchitecture and Applied Cryptography.
Focus on laboratory-based learning
The first two years will emphasise laboratory-oriented learning in computer systems, programming, Linux system administration, cryptography, computer organisation, operating systems, computer networks, ethical hacking, web security, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing before students move to advanced specialisation and field deployment.Highlighting the initiative, IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti said, “Cybersecurity has become fundamental to India’s technological sovereignty and national security. Building a resilient cyber ecosystem requires professionals who possess not only strong theoretical foundations but also extensive hands-on experience in defending complex systems.”
