The University Grants Commission (UGC) launched courses on cyber security and data protection. The courses mark Cyber Jagrukta Divas and will get introduced in universities and colleges under elective or optional categories for students from all streams. The courses are for undergraduates and postgraduates and are aimed to help even students from non-technical streams to develop an understanding of cyber security glitches. UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar said, “Cyber security as a subject needs to be incorporated at graduation and postgraduation 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 cyber security posture and ecosystem.” 

Kumar said, “Higher education institutions (HEIs) can invite cyber security or IT-qualified faculty and experts from the industry to take lectures, and practicals and give tutorials.” 

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

The syllabus document states “After completion of this module, students will be able to understand the basic security aspects related to computers and mobile. They will be able to use basic tools and technologies to protect their devices.” 

At the postgraduate level, the topics that will get covered include cyber crimes, cyber laws, data privacy and security, cyber security management, and compliance and governance, and others. 

The document stated “After finishing this module, students will have an understanding of the legal framework that exists in India for cybercrime, including aspects related to personal data privacy and security. They will also get insight into the Data Protection Bill, 2019, and data privacy and security issues related to social media platforms.” 

The courses also include practicals that cover topics such as privacy settings on social media platforms, registering complaints on a social media platform, and preparing password policies for computer and mobile devices, and others.