Noida, April 7 2025: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s (IIT Kanpur), C3iHub in collaboration with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has successfully completed the training of the first batch of cyber commandos.

The valedictory ceremony of the six-month residential Cyber Commando Training Program was held today at the IIT Kanpur Noida Outreach Centre, marking the culmination of a rigorous training initiative aimed at building specialized cybersecurity capacity within law enforcement agencies.

Commenting on this Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said, “India’s digital future depends not just on innovation, but also on security. The Cyber Commando Training Program is envisioned as a strategic national effort to develop a cadre of cyber-trained personnel across States, Union Territories, and Central agencies. These cyber commandos will play a critical role in investigating cybercrimes, safeguarding digital assets, and strengthening India’s cyber resilience. With the successful completion of this inaugural batch, a strong foundation has been laid for future cohorts that will continue to bolster the country’s law enforcement capabilities in the digital age.”

A total of 36 officers from various State Police and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) completed the program, which covered critical areas including cyber defense, ethical hacking, digital forensics, penetration testing, and specialized bootcamps on Hardware Security, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, and IoT Security. The program also featured expert sessions by leading industry professionals and field visits to institutions such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited, CERT-In, and CSIRT Power.

All participating officers have earned globally recognized certifications from the EC-Council, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), and Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (CTIA), aligning their skills with international standards.

The ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Shri Rajesh Kumar, CEO, I4C; Col. Arvind Kumar, Director-NCTC, I4C; Mr. Ashutosh Bahuguna, Scientist, CERT-In; Ms. Tilotamma Varma, IPS, Director General (Training), Lucknow; Shri Binod Kumar Singh, IPS, Additional Director General (Cybercrime), Uttar Pradesh; Dr. G.K. Goswami, IPS, Director, Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science; and Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Coordinator, C3i Center, IIT Kanpur.

About C3iHub, IIT Kanpur:

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 addresses 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 provides training to 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 tackling all the issues related to Cybercrime for the citizens, which includes improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies and the stakeholders, driving change in India's overall capability to tackle Cybercrime and to improve citizen satisfaction levels.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 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 fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.