IIT Kanpur’s eMasters degree in cyber security to address industry demand; GATE score not required

KANPUR: With a rapid rise in cyber threats, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has launched eMasters degree programme in cyber security to assist working professionals build capabilities for an evolving and volatile threat environment. The programme offers a high-impact format with weekend-only live interactive classes coupled with self-paced learning, the institute said.

The eMasters programme also offers a credits transfer facility where a waiver of up to 60 credits can be transferred for higher education (MTech/PhD) at IIT Kanpur. The degree programme of IIT Kanpur will train professionals in the methods and technologies of Cyber Security. The “well-researched real-world” curriculum includes detailed modules on cryptography, machine learning, IoT security from nascent to advanced stages, to name a few.

Participants of the programme will get access to the IIT Kanpur placement cell, incubation cell, and alumni network, making it a unique career advancement and networking experience.

Depending on the prevailing situations, the programme plans to offer a campus visit to IIT Kanpur, which would open varied scopes of interactions between professionals, and eminent faculty from different fields, the institute said.

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“Unlike most other diploma or professional courses, the eMasters degree program at IIT Kanpur also gives formal Senate-approved degrees at the convocation. After a successful stint of Batch 1, the applications for Batch 2 starting in January 2023, are closing on November 12, 2022,” it said.

The eMasters programme developed by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur, is taught by world-class faculty and researchers from IIT Kanpur.

Working professionals will have the flexibility to complete the 60-credit 12-module industry-focused curriculum between 1-3 years. Candidates will be selected based on academic and professional background. However, Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score is not required.

According to Gartner, by 2025, 45% of organizations might face attacks on their software supply chains. With data multiplying, the risk of attack on important information systems, critical infrastructure, and personal devices also multiplies

“As per reports, India is about to have over 1.5 million job vacancies in cyber security sector by 2025 and to meet this upcoming talent gap, India needs to have a well-equipped and skilled workforce for the changing cyber security landscape. Keeping this in view, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur is offering a carefully curated and unique eMasters degree program on Cyber Security for working professionals,” IIT-K said in an official statement.

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Last year, India saw an estimated 120% increase in ransomware attacks. Although most of them are from third-party attackers, there is significant increase in attacks expected from insiders in near future.

The institute said, “Data breaches, hacking, foreign espionage, and cyber phishing are some key categories plaguing cyber security in India. Usage of cloud-based services, sharing unauthorized data, financial exchanges on digital payment platforms, social media communication, net banking, e-commerce are also providing attack surfaces to the growing cyber threats. With the threat landscape expanding, the necessity for more skilled professionals is also becoming a priority.”