In a major move to fortify India’s cybersecurity framework, IIT Kanpur’s Centre for Cyber Security and Cyber Defense of Critical Infrastructures (C3iHub), in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), has trained the first batch of cyber commandos of the country. This elite force is now ready to take on the digital threats and protect the nation’s cyberspace with technical expertise.
The Genesis of a Cybersecurity Vanguard
The Cyber Commando Training Program, launched in October 2024, is a six-month residential course at IIT Kanpur’s Noida Outreach Centre. It was designed to train selected officers from various state and central police forces with cybersecurity skills.
Initially, 38 officials were enrolled in the program and 36 officials graduated, each of them now holds international certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) and Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (CTIA). These certifications were issued by EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity education.
The Curriculum
Far from being just a theoretical venture, the course offered rigorous hands-on training across a wide array of topics, including:
- Ethical hacking
- Digital forensics
- Penetration testing
- Cyber defense
- Threat intelligence
- IoT and hardware security
- Blockchain and cryptocurrency vulnerabilities
To provide real-world context, trainees also participated in expert sessions and field visits to institutions such as Tata Advanced Systems, CERT-In, and CSIRT Power, exposing them to live cyber defense mechanisms in practice.
Mission
Now graduated, these cyber commandos are being deployed back to their respective home states and agencies. Their roles include:
- Leading cyber investigation teams
- Guiding and upgrading local cyber units
- Training grassroots personnel
- Proactively dismantling cybercrime networks
These officers serve not just as responders but also as predictors and preventers of cybercrime, positioning themselves at the forefront of India’s digital law enforcement.
Strategic Response to Rising Cyber Threats
This is the right time. India has seen a huge surge in cyber threats—phishing, ransomware, sextortion, deepfakes, and cryptocurrency fraud. Uttar Pradesh alone saw over 12,000 cybercrime cases in 2023. We need modern policing.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, called it “a step towards digital India”. Rajesh Kumar, CEO of I4C, said, “Our strategic answer to digital crime”.
A Scalable National Blueprint
This initiative is more than a one-time solution. It represents the foundation of a scalable, nationwide defense infrastructure. Future batches are expected, with plans to expand the program and institutionalize cybercrime training across India’s law enforcement ecosystem.
Col Arvind Kumar, Director of the National Cyber Terrorism Coordination unit at I4C, emphasized, “These commandos are not just responders. They are predictors and preventers. This is a critical step toward proactive digital policing.”
About C3iHub
C3iHub is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) established at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. C3iHub deals with the cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems in its entirety. C3iHub detects security vulnerabilities in critical cyber-physical systems, develops security tools to address the vulnerabilities, nucleates start-ups and partners with industries to commercialize the security tools and trains the next generation of cybersecurity researchers.
About I4C
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to deal with cybercrime in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. I4C focuses on all the issues related to Cybercrime for citizens, which includes improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies and stakeholders, driving change in India’s overall capability to tackle Cybercrime and improving citizen satisfaction levels.
About IIT Kanpur
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959. IIT Kanpur is known for its excellence in science and engineering. It spans a 1,050-acre campus and has various departments for research. The institute has 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in innovation and academic rigor.
Conclusion
Cyber Commando Training Program is a big step in India’s fight against cybercrime. By equipping law enforcement with high-tech skills and tools, we are building a strong, tech-enabled and future-ready cyber defense system. As these commandos start working across India, the message is clear—the guardians of the digital world are here, and they are trained to win.
For more details related to IPO GMP, SEBI IPO Approval, and Live Subscription stay tuned to IPO Central.