IIT Roorkee launches India’s first PG program in AI-driven cybersecurity

A new postgraduate program aimed at countering cyber threats driven by artificial intelligence has been launched by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in collaboration with Futurense.

The nine-month hybrid course, starting Oct 18, is being described as the country’s first initiative focused on AI and generative AI-powered cybersecurity.

The program comes at a time when deepfakes, AI-enabled phishing attempts, and automated intrusions are reshaping the nature of cyberattacks.

Experts say traditional defenses are no longer enough, and organizations must now protect algorithms, models, and cloud-based systems.

Designed for early-career professionals, the curriculum prepares candidates for roles such as security automation engineer, SOC analyst, and cloud security associate.

Learners will train with over 30 industry-standard tools, including LangChain, GPT platforms, SOAR, and SIEM, and complete four real-world projects reviewed by experts from companies like Amazon, Gallagher, and Paytm.

Classes will run online during weekends, with an optional campus capstone in Roorkee. Participants will also receive a CISSP preparation module and a generative AI red-teaming handbook. The course fee is set at ₹1.40 lakh plus GST, with EMI options available.

Officials noted that the program aligns with international frameworks such as GDPR, NIST, and India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act. A bridge course will also be offered to those without a security background.

Industry reports underline the need for such training. Fortinet’s 2024 study showed 80% of Indian firms face increased risks due to generative AI, while ISC estimated the country requires over one million cybersecurity specialists.