IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur jointly launch BTech in cybersecurity, offering two years of on-field project

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have partnered to launch a four-year bachelor of cybersecurity (BCyber) programme. The new BTech cybersecurity will commence in the academic year beginning July 2026.

According to the IIT Madras press release, the new BTech programme aims to address the nation’s rising demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. The course will equip students with the knowledge and practical expertise needed to expand the country’s digital infrastructure, strategic sectors and growing cyber ecosystem.

Highlighting the need for BCyber courses, V Kamakoti , the director of IIT Madras 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.”

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Key Highlight: 2-year field deployment

As per the IIT Madras statement, the key highlight of the course is a two-year field deployment professional project, during which participants will spend the final four semesters working on live cybersecurity projects, mentored by experienced professionals.

The course curriculum is designed around a competency-based framework that allows students to build expertise across multiple domains. These include security operations, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, secure systems, malware analysis, firmware reverse engineering, hardware security, cloud security and critical infrastructure security.

Students will also have the flexibility to pursue advanced electives in fields such as digital forensics, embedded systems security, secure processor microarchitecture and applied cryptography.

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“During the first two years, students will undergo intensive laboratory-oriented instruction covering computer systems, programming, Linux system administration, cryptography, computer organisation, operating systems, computer networks, ethical hacking, web security, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, laying a strong foundation before transitioning to advanced specialisation and professional deployment,” the IIT Madras press release added.

Notably, students will have the flexibility to choose advanced electives in areas like digital forensics, embedded systems security, secure processor microarchitecture and applied cryptography.

To know more about the IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur courses, candidates can visit the official website, tinyurl.com/bcyberiitm.