An initiative of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’, the ‘Cyber Commandos’ program is a critical step in bolstering India’s cyber defence capabilities.

Upgrade

The Cyber Commandos will represent a significant upgrade from existing cybercrime cells. While these cells primarily focus on reactive measures like investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes, the commandos will be a proactive force, say sources from IITMPTF.

The launch was done in the presence of Dr. Sandeep Mittal, IPS, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime Wing, Tamil Nadu.

Others present were Col. Arvind Kumar, Director, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Mr. Mayank Ghildiyal, Deputy Director, I4C, Dr. MJ Shankar Raman, CEO, IITMPTF and other dignitaries.

Inaugural

Director of IIT Madras Prof V Kamakoti spoke at the inaugural program.

On a daily basis, the cyber threat landscape is increasing. We are getting more and more devices into our day-to-day life as digitization increases, he said.

Data is very important now. Processing of both structured and non-structured day is also vital, he said.

Director of IIT Madras further said we need to arrive at a proactive way to prevent cyber threats. We need to have a deep understanding.

‘The next six months will deal with how to proactively detect cyber attacks and use forensic technologies to develop defenses.’

This effect is going to be very important and I thank the Ministry Of Home Affairs for supporting this program, he said.

Through rigorous training, State and Central police personnel will be transformed into cyber experts, capable of investigating complex digital crimes, tracking cybercriminals, and protecting critical infrastructure, say sources from IITMPTF.

Equipped with advanced skills and technology, they will be at the forefront of preventing cyberattacks, along with responding to them, say sources from IITMPTF.

Future

Dr. Sandeep Mittal, IPS, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime Wing, Tamil Nadu spoke about the future cyber challenges in Indian context.

The Cyber domain is extremely attractive for malicious actors because it is highly dynamic, faceless and boundary-less domain capable of throwing surprises with rapidity, he said.

It is a very low-cost effort with asymmetric results. The Risks are the opportunities and the opportunities are the risks, he said.

The discovery of Stuxnet in 2010 heralded into an era of a weaponization of software code. This was only the beginning as it was followed by many things, he said.

He further said By 2024, there will be 50 billion Internet connected devices, such as refrigertors, microwaves, washing machines and so on.

Critical infrastructure, especially operational systems, needs to be well-protected. Cyber Security needs an understanding of International Conventions on cybercrimes as the Cyber Criminals are mostly abroad, he said.

I4C

Col. Arvind Kumar, Director, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), said this six-month course will have 70% as practicals with only 30% being theory component in this program.

Industry visits have also been planned. IIT Madras faculty will be handling this program and training you (Cyber Commandos), he said.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) was established by Ministry of Home Affairs to provide a framework and eco-system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) for dealing with Cybercrime in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.

Importance

Dr. MJ Shankar Raman, CEO, IITMPTF spoke about the importance of this program.

Today, we are fighting a war that does not have boundaries. Here, we do not know where the ‘bomb’ will fall. Using software, one can take out physical infrastructure, said CEO of IITMPTF.

‘Even though we have identified critical National infrastructure, we are following the Western thinking.’

However now, the Indian Government is focused on doing things differently and has supported this Cyber Commandos Program, said CEO of IITMPTF.

CEO of IITMPTF further said we need lateral thinking to identify loopholes in technology so that they can be addressed.

The idea is to upgrade your skills and your investigation follows advanced techniques to submit proof that will stand up in Court, he said.

Urgency

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the increasing frequency and severity of cyber threats India faces, say sources from IITMPTF.

From financial fraud and data breaches to critical infrastructure attacks, the digital landscape poses significant risks.

The Cyber Commandos program is essential to ensure India is adequately prepared to counter these threats and protect its citizens and economy in the digital age.

The course will entail advanced modules on systems forensics, detection and prevention of unethical access to systems, detecting crimes in the cyber domain, among others.

IITMPTF is a Section 8 Company housing a Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators and Control Systems.

It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems and hosted by IIT Madras.

About IITMPTF

IITMPTF is a section 08 Company housing the Technology Innovation Hub on Sensors, Networking, Actuators, and Control Systems (SNACS).

It is committed to transforming the frontiers of knowledge. Its start-up ecosystem is the nurturing space of brilliant professionals, Innovative entrepreneurs, curious young talents, and inquisitive students.

With world-class infrastructure, equipment, and experienced mentors, we have everything to offer for the technology-hungry brains.

IITMPTF is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, and hosted as a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) by IIT Madras.

The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission aimed at complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government, and International Organizations.

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This collaboration agreement seeks to capitalize on the strengths of both institutions, broadening the learning experience for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BS) programs at IIT Madras and undergraduate programs at IIT Palakkad.

To date, over 30,000 students are actively participating in this program, fostering a vibrant and interactive learning community, say sources from IIT Palakkad.

Director of IIT Madras

Welcoming this collaboration, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said IIT Madras is committed to reach quality education to every deserving student in our country. This initiative with IIT Palakkad is a very significant step towards reaching the goals.

We are enthusiastic about mentoring these bright minds. Our courses and internships have a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and innovation, said director of IIT Palakkad.

This collaboration with IIT Madras will build a robust foundation that equips students with the skills, insights, and networks they need to excel, he said.

Key features

The key features of this collaboration include:

Ø Credit Transfer from IITPkd Courses: IIT Madras BS (Data Science and Applications) students who meet the eligibility criteria can fulfil their credit requirements by taking courses at IIT Palakkad, promoting an exchange of academic resources and expertise.

Ø Access to IIT Madras Courses for IIT Palakkad Students: The MoU allows undergraduate students at IIT Palakkad to enrol in courses on Data Science and Programming from the IIT Madras BS program, ensuring equitable access to these cutting-edge skills.

Ø Support for Additional Initiatives: The collaboration will also facilitate student exchange programs, internship opportunities, and other joint initiatives.

Commitment

This collaboration between IIT Madras and IITPkd highlights the commitment of both institutions to enrich student experiences through cross-disciplinary exposure, practical learning, and research opportunities.

It aims to create a robust academic ecosystem that utilizes the expertise and infrastructure of both IITs.

Collaboration

IIT Madras has been collaborating with other leading institutions in the country to provide in-person learning opportunities for final-year students in the BS program.

IIT Gandhinagar, IIIT Hyderabad, and Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) have already made their campus courses available to eligible students from the IIT Madras BS (Data Science) degree program.

About IIT Palakkad

Established in 2015, the Indian Institute of Technology, Palakkad is dedicated to creating an environment that enables students and faculty to engage in the pursuit of knowledge, to dream, think, and innovate thereby becoming change agents for a better world.

Having begun with just 120 students in July 2015, IIT Palakkad has since grown into an establishment that is about a thousand students strong and with the best manpower in key positions.

IITPkd aims to become a multi-disciplinary institution with 5000 students by its 10th year. The Institute recognizes collective growth, in collaboration with industry and other academic institutions, as the need of the time and emphasizes blue-sky research and directed research as two essential pillars of technology development.

The Institute embraces a vision to be a leader in cross-disciplinary inquiries, and to contribute to the potential that India’s demographic dividend represents for the country and the world, which is embodied in the motto of the institute “Nurturing minds for a better world”.

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