UGC introduces courses on cyber security, data protection

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched courses on cyber security and data protection for undergraduates and postgraduates with an aim to help even students from non-technical streams to develop an understanding of cyber security issues.

The courses were announced on ‘Cyber Jagrukta Divas’ and will be introduced in universities and colleges under elective or optional categories for students from all streams.

“Cyber security as a subject needs to be incorporated at graduate and postgraduate level in all streams. The syllabus of these courses aims to create aware, responsive and responsible digital citizens, thereby contributing effectively to an overall healthy cybersecurity posture and ecosystem,” UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar said.

Kumar further highlighted that higher education institutions (HEIs) can invite cyber security or IT-qualified faculty and experts from the industry to take lectures, practicals and give tutorials.

According to the syllabus issued by the UGC, undergraduate students will study basic and mid-level concepts and postgraduate students will cover mid and advanced-level concepts. The undergraduate syllabus includes topics like introduction to cyber security, cybercrime and laws, social media overview, e-commerce, digital payments, and digital devices security, among others.