Due to the high number of cases of cyberattacks worldwide, there’s an increasing need for cybersecurity professionals. Cybersecurity is an exciting tech skill that guarantees many job opportunities if you have the right skills and knowledge. However, if you are confused about where to start, you can begin by pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. There’s no better place to look than India for your cybersecurity degree, as the country is one of the leading countries in technology globally. In this article, we will show you the 10 best universities or colleges to study cybersecurity in India in 2024, among other relevant information.
What is Cybersecurity, and Why is it Important?
Cybersecurity can be defined as the protection of different internet-based devices, services and networks from being attacked by individuals such as hackers, spammers and cybercriminals. This field includes multiple techniques and approaches to prevent risks such as phishing, ransomware, identity theft, data leakage, and loss of money. Cybersecurity has become very essential today, especially due to the use of technology in day-to-day activities. Although the use of smartphones and social networks has improved our lives, it has also exposed us to dangerous risks.
Noteworthy, a consistently rising trend in cybercrime poses threats to the technology that people ceaselessly rely on. This points to why there is a necessity for cybersecurity for individuals, organizations, and governments. Cybersecurity also goes beyond just preventing the attack; one needs to learn about the threats, learn how to prevent them and come up with defensive mechanisms that apply to all devices, from personal-owned gadgets to large corporate networks.
Top 10 Cybersecurity Colleges or Universities in India
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Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Founded: 1959
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, commonly known as IIT Kanpur, is a prestigious public technical and research university established in Kanpur, India. Being an Institute of National Importance under the Institutes of Technology Act of India, IIT Kanpur provides various advanced courses like the BT-MT Dual Degree, MTech and MS in Cybersecurity. The cybersecurity program at IIT Kanpur is vast, and it focuses on areas such as cryptography, network security and cyber forensics.
Additionally, the Computer Science and Engineering department at IIT Kanpur launched the e-Masters program in Cyber Security to support working professionals who wish to enhance their expertise in this area. The department also has the Center for Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense of Critical Infrastructures (C3i), a research and training centre dedicated to cybersecurity. C3iHub, an innovation promoted by the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, has provided backing to 50 startups in five separate batches under the Start-up Incubation Programme, encouraging advance in some vital spheres of cybersecurity like application security, blockchain, deception technology, threats intelligence and cyber insurance.
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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Founded: 1961
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) is a public research university for technology situated in Delhi, India, founded in 1961. Its Department of Computer Science and Engineering provides focused academic programs and research in cybersecurity, so it can be regarded as one of the top universities in this area. The department offers specialized Master of Technology in Cyber Security for computer engineers, mathematicians, and communication electronic engineers who wish to pursue careers in cyber security. The university also provides all the needed knowledge and skills in the sphere of cybersecurity with the use of complete theoretical and practical approaches. The students also get 18 hours of laboratory sessions with IIT Delhi professionals, which focuses on the business executives’ perceptions of the most critical issues.
IIT Delhi has also signed a major agreement with Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity company, to conduct research and training in this important field. This partnership includes conducting activities aimed at increasing cybersecurity awareness and providing academic scholarships to students of the institute, which will further strengthen the institute’s recognition in the field.
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National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli
Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1964
The National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) is one of the top-ranked research institutes situated in Tamil Nadu, India and is particularly famous for engineering and technological studies. Established in 1964 as Regional Engineering College Tiruchirappalli, it was once affiliated with the University of Madras before it got its status as one of the Institutes of National Importance in India. NIT Trichy’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering provides various specialized courses, including cybersecurity, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. This is complemented by practical training and research in its advanced Cybersecurity laboratory for students. This prepares learners for the challenges that they might experience in real life regarding cybersecurity.
Noteworthy, admission to NIT Trichy for a BTech course involves passing the JEE Main entrance examination followed by the JoSAA Counseling procedure. The remaining open seats are then filled by the CSAB Counseling for B. Plan for the concerned program. Some of the prominent employers that have offered placements to NIT Trichy graduates are Flipkart, Tata Steel, and Reliance Industries.
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Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Founded: 1941
Delhi Technological University, also known as Delhi College of Engineering, is a recognized state university situated at Rohini, Delhi, India. Over the years, DTU has emerged as one of the premier universities of engineering and technology in the country. Moreover, DTU has announced the establishment of five Centres of Excellence that will help enhance education and research in areas such as security assurance, green power, disaster risk, and defence drones. These centres are supposed to help the university achieve its goals towards addressing the challenges and enhancing the development of the country. The School of Computer Science and Engineering at DTU has a detailed cybersecurity syllabus that covers areas such as secure coding, penetration testing, and risk management. These programs seek to prepare students on how to protect their cyberspace and the necessary measures for combating cyber threats.
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Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Founded: 1951
IIT Kharagpur is a public university situated in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India and was the first of the Indian Institutes of Technology to be established in 1951 by the government. It has evolved into one of the most prestigious universities in the country, specializing in engineering and technology and providing quality teaching and research. The University Department of Computer Science & Engineering is actively involved in the development of a rich research culture in the institute. This department has several well-established research groups that carry out research in areas like algorithms, cryptography, network security, software engineering, systems, and networking.
Also, The Data Security Council of India (DSCI), established by NASSCOM to secure data and encourage the use of security standards, recognized the efforts of IIT Kharagpur through a special award at the 2018 Annual Information Security Summit. IIT Kharagpur actively participates in landmark research, responds to and collaborates with industry demands, and excels in cybersecurity education to be at the forefront of technology and security in India and other countries.
READ ALSO: Google Free CyberSecurity Course 2024 with Certificate
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International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Founded: 1998
At IIIT Hyderabad, the Center for Security, Theory, and Algorithms in Networks (SATAN) is one of the foremost centres focused on research in cybersecurity. The centre concentrates on state-of-the-art research across various areas of interest, including network security, cryptography, secure communication, and algorithmic security. The courses offered are structured to combine theoretical knowledge with practical assignments and projects. This approach ensures that students not only understand the basics but also be in a position to solve real security issues.
Also, the institution is connected to various relevant associations which offer students potential internship placements, cooperative projects, and insight into current developments. Further, the placement cell of the institute is quite active and aids the students in getting a higher employability rate, as many of them directly join well-known technology firms and research organisations.
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Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1957
MIT Manipal also has the Department of Information and Cyber Security, which provides numerous undergraduate and postgraduate programs in cybersecurity. The institute promotes a strong pragmatic educational approach, with the cybersecurity centre hosting workshops, seminars, and hackathons. Such events are designed to improve students’ practical skills, as they provide an opportunity to implement the acquired knowledge into practice.
In collaboration with the ISAC, MAHE covers such as Certified Cyber Intelligence Officer (CCIO), Manipal International Cybersecurity and Bounty Researcher (MICBIS), and Manipal International Certified Bug Bounty Researcher (MICBBR). These courses cover cyber crime intervention, information security fundamentals, and bug bounty investigation, which are very useful in enhancing the cybersecurity skills and knowledge among the participants.
Additionally, MIT has signed a MoA with ISAC and other government organizations in India to facilitate information sharing and analysis. This partnership reflects the institute’s focus on cybersecurity education and its intent to equip its learners with applicable courses and certifications that are sought in the market.
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Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Founded: 1984
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is one of the well-known private engineering universities in the country, and it is famous for providing quality education with innovation. Standing tall with an A++ rating which it received from the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC), VIT revises its syllabus regularly to align with what obtains in the industry.
As cybersecurity has become more essential and needed for companies, VIT’s School of Computing Sciences and Engineering provides specific courses such as cloud security, blockchain, and incident response. VIT’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (CSCOE) works with other industry leaders to advance research and training opportunities in cybersecurity. This enables students to understand the real-world challenges faced in the field of cyber security.
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National Forensic Science University (NFSU)
Acceptance Rate: 35%
Founded: 2009
The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) is one of the foremost public international universities situated in Gandhinagar, India. NFSU was established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as an Institution of National Importance to promote education in forensic and cybersecurity sciences. NFSU provides various academic programs in cybersecurity, which include an M.Sc. in Cyber Security and an M.Tech. in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with a specialization in Cyber Security, among others. Such programs give students a strong base of cybersecurity and include additional skills in AI, data science, and cyber-physical systems. Also, for postgraduate students, the university provides a PG Diploma in Cyber-Physical Systems, which combines general cybersecurity knowledge with a focus on new technologies.
As part of its efforts to promote cybersecurity education and awareness, NFSU started a Cyberscam awareness campaign in 2021. The university also actively participated in and coordinated the national cyber security hackathon event, Kavach 2023, supported by government bodies, including the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, AICTE, Bureau of Police Research and Development, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center, etc. This was an attempt to encourage innovation and the practical application of problem-solving skills in a simulated environment among the learners. Also, NFSU has excellent relationships with industries and the government, and it prepares students for the real world by offering insights into current trends, as well as real-life and research opportunities in the field of cybersecurity, making it one of the best institutions to study cybersecurity in India.
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Birla Institute of Technology And Science (BITS)
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Founded: 1964
BITS was established in 1964 and is one of India’s oldest and most recognized private universities. The institution is well-reputed for quality education and program delivery, especially in engineering and technology. Among the programs available at this university, there is an option to get an Integrated degree that combines B.Sc. Computer Science & M.E. Computer Science focusing on Information Security within 2 years. This program enables learners to complete two programs at the same time, giving them comprehensive knowledge of Computer Science with a focus on Cybersecurity. The university continues to empower students with adequate skills that enable them to handle various issues in the information security sector whenever they join the market.
Besides the dual degree program, another program that is offered by BITS Pilani is a PhD program in Computer Science and Information Systems. The areas of research within this program are vast and include Software Engineering, Networking, Mobile Computing, Computer Architecture and Robotics, among others. The university also provides a collaborative doctoral program with La Trobe University in Australia. This partnership allows students to apply for scholarships and study in Australia for a year or more.
Conclusion
With the increased demand for cybersecurity experts around the world, more universities and colleges are offering cybersecurity globally. If you have been wondering how to begin your cybersecurity degree in India, the top 10 institutions listed above provide the best education in cybersecurity, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to tackle threats in the field. We hope this article has been of tremendous help to you.