In an era of escalating cyber threats worldwide, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure. Designated as the national agency for cyber incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, from incident prevention and real-time threat mitigation to enhancing cyber resilience through Security Quality Management Services, CERT-In is at the core of India’s cyber defence strategy.
In a significant step towards further strengthening India’s cyber defense capabilities and building a skilled cybersecurity workforce CERT-In and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch Professional Development Programs in Cybersecurity for professionals across Government, Public Sector and Industry.
Under the MoU, an 8-week Professional Development Program in Cybersecurity, designed for working professionals from Government, PSUs, and Industry is launched by BITS-Pilani. The program will be delivered by BITS Pilani through its Centre for Research Excellence in National Security (CRENS) at the Hyderabad Campus along with its technology partner Rapifuzz, under the guidance and mentorship of CERT-In.
The collaboration aims to address the growing demand for structured, high-impact capacity building in cybersecurity an area of increasing importance amid evolving digital threats and cyber security challenges. The program begins on July 19, 2025, and is open to professionals across domains, including those without prior coding experience. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Professional Development Certificate in Cybersecurity, co-branded by CERT-In and BITS Pilani underscoring both academic rigor and national institutional recognition.
Strategic role of CERT-In
CERT-In, India’s national agency for cyber incident response, is guiding and mentoring the program’s structure in alignment with latest cyber security challenges, and is also contributing with its domain expertise. This marks a first-of-its-kind formal engagement where CERT-In has partnered with a premier academic institution through a MoU to directly support cybersecurity workforce development at scale.
Why this matters: insights from leaders
Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General, CERT-In said “India’s cyber resilience finds its true strength not only in using & developing indigenous cutting-edge technology, but also in developing a vibrant, highly skilled talent pool poised to meet the evolving challenges of the digital and quantum era. CERT-In’s contributions to incident response and cyber resilience extends beyond technology to encompass the nurturing of skilled human capital through a spectrum of impactful initiatives. CERT-In’s collaboration with BITS-Pilani marks yet another pivotal stride in this journey an endeavour designed to equip professionals with cutting-edge cybersecurity expertise, while fostering a dynamic synergy between evolving industry demands with academic excellence.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani said:
“At BITS Pilani, we view cybersecurity not only as a technological challenge, but as a national priority. This program reflects the strength of our academia-industry-government triad, and we are proud to offer it under CERT-In’s guidance.”
About the program
Participants will gain expertise in key topics such as
- Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities
- Network Security (Firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs)
- Secure Communication and Cryptography
- Cybersecurity Policies, Legal Frameworks, and Incident Management
- Advanced Topics including Cloud, Mobile, and Advanced Persistent Threats
The hybrid format combines online modules, interactive case discussions, and a live capstone project, culminating in an in-person valedictory session at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus.
The program features instruction from BITS Pilani faculty, experts from CERT-In, and industry practitioners, delivering a unique blend of conceptual clarity, practical relevance, and policy insight.
About the partnering entities
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India has been designated to serve as National agency for incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000. CERT-In operates 24×7 incident response Help Desk for providing timely response to reported cyber security incidents. CERT-In provides Incident Prevention and Response services as well as Security Quality Management Services. Learn more at https://www.cert-in.org.in.
The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), a deemed-to be university, is an Institution of Eminence renowned for its excellence in higher education, research, and innovation. With a legacy spanning six decades, BITS Pilani has established itself as a leading institution in India, recognized for its rigorous academic programs, innovative research, and strong industry connections. BITS Pilani is ranked among the top institutions in India and has a strong focus on R&D.
The Center for Research Excellence in National Security (CRENS) at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, is dedicated to strengthening the nation’s security infrastructure. CRENS fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government organizations to develop indigenous cutting-edge technologies, promote skill development, and drive innovation in the national security domain. CRENS integrates the research and innovation ecosystem of all BITS Pilani campuses.
