India is set to redefine cybersecurity leadership with the National Cyber Security Scholar Programme (NCSSP) 2025, launching its seventh cohort on August 21 in Hyderabad. This groundbreaking initiative, backed by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), swaps traditional classrooms for a high-intensity, off-grid bootcamp in a forest setting, designed to forge resilient cyber leaders capable of tackling India’s escalating digital threats.
Organized by the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC), NCSSP 2025 targets a select group of senior professionals: IAS and IPS officers, defense and intelligence officials, cybersecurity experts from tech giants like TCS and Wipro, academics from IITs and IIMs, and executives from banks, telecoms, and critical infrastructure sectors.
With India facing over 1.5 million cyberattacks daily—ranging from ransomware to state-sponsored hacks targeting banks and defense networks—this program is a strategic push to build a robust, cross-sector cybersecurity ecosystem.
The four-day immersive bootcamp, held in Hyderabad’s outskirts, strips participants of digital comforts, plunging them into survival drills and real-world cyber crisis simulations. Scholars will pitch tents, cook meals, and use HAM radios for communication, mirroring the isolation of a cyber emergency.
Hands-on exercises include hardware hacking, IoT and SCADA attack simulations, RF jamming, lock-picking, red vs. blue team war-gaming, and crisis leadership tests. These activities, designed to test decision-making under pressure, are complemented by survival skills like fire-starting and water purification, fostering resilience and teamwork.
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Hyderabad, a burgeoning cyber innovation hub hosting firms like Microsoft and Google, was chosen for its blend of technological infrastructure and access to natural landscapes, ideal for distraction-free training. Industry partners like GMR (India’s largest private airport operator) and Tata Communications will facilitate site visits to airports, power plants, and Security Operations Centers (SOCs), offering insights into protecting critical infrastructure. A highlight is the hands-on training at ISAC’s Phygital Cyber Range, the world’s largest, where participants tackle real-world IoT and SCADA attack scenarios impacting industries like energy and aviation.
Post-bootcamp, the program extends through January 2026 with weekly digital modules, field visits, and capstone projects addressing critical issues: AI-driven threat modeling, cybercrime-terrorism convergence, digital forensics, and national infrastructure protection. These projects aim to shape India’s digital security strategy for the next decade, with graduates joining the prestigious National Security Database (NSD), positioning them as advisors to governments or leaders in PSUs and corporations.
Dr. Sanjay Bahl, CERT-IN Director General, emphasized the program’s urgency: “We’re building a resilient nation by fostering skilled leaders across sectors to counter sophisticated cyber threats.” Rajshekhar Pullabhatla, ISAC founder, added, “This isn’t about tools—it’s about rewiring leaders to think strategically in chaos.” Dr. M.S. Vijayraghavan, a cyber policy expert, praised CERT-IN’s forward-thinking approach, noting NCSSP’s role in enhancing India’s global cybersecurity standing.
Eligibility requires an undergraduate degree and seven years of professional experience, including three in cybersecurity-related roles. Scholars gain lifetime access to ISAC’s discounted IT security certifications and a peer-supported crisis response network, requiring 10 hours of pro bono work to promote cybersecurity awareness. With India needing 3 million cybersecurity professionals by 2030, NCSSP 2025 is a critical step toward closing the skills gap and fortifying digital sovereignty. Applications are open until August 15 at isacfoundation.org/national-cyber-security-scholar/.
As cyberattacks on India’s financial systems, defense networks, and smart cities surge, NCSSP 2025 is not just a training program—it’s a national mission to outpace cyber threats and secure India’s digital future.
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