New Delhi, India − January 4, 2016 − PwC India and NIIT University (NU) have entered into a strategic partnership towards creating a trained talent pool of cybersecurity professionals in India. To this end, academic experts from NU and senior professionals from PwC India have co-created a two-year work-integrated specialized master’s program in cybersecurity.

The master’s program in cybersecurity is amongst the first programs that blend academic and professional education, with the industry player PwC India being an equal partner in developing and delivering the program. The key driver in this program is industry-led research in the cybersecurity space.

Cybersecurity market currently at $1 billion, is expected to grow to $35 billion by 2025. The demand for skilled professionals in the space is very high. This demand is coming from domestic companies spending in the country; multinational companies investing in India; increasing government activity in the cyber and cybersecurity space; and information technology firms bringing in work from clients.

The apex body for the IT industry NASSCOM launched cybersecurity task force earlier this year to build India as a global hub for providing cybersecurity solutions, prepare the cyber security R&D plan and develop a skilled workforce of cyber security experts. The task force aims to build the cybersecurity industry in India from the 1 percent market share to 10 percent by 2025; create a trained base of one million certified and skilled cybersecurity professionals and build 1000+ start-ups in cybersecurity from India.

“Technology has changed the way businesses are run and has brought along with it unique challenges and threats. In today’s digitized environment securing our cyberspace has become a priority for businesses and citizens across the world,” said Rajendra S Pawar, chairman NIIT Group and founder of NU. “This calls for a team of trained professionals who are equipped to combat the challenges that are posed by hackers every day. Our partnership with PwC India is a step in that direction.”

“Cybersecurity is a major focus area and the growth driver for PwC India. We currently have around 300 people in this practice and will need to increase it tenfold to about 3,000 people over the next 4-5 years,” Deepak Kapoor, chairman, PwC India. “With this program with NU, PwC India is collaborating with academia to bring industry-ready talent into the market, readily employable with required customized skills set.

First year of the master’s program in cybersecurity will be held at the Neemrana Campus of NU, followed by an internship at PwC India under the supervision of NU faculty. The program will emphasize on security analytics, threat intelligence, industrial control system and vulnerability analysis and also draw on practitioner-experts from PwC India to ensure the right blend of academic concepts and industry application. PwC has worked with NU to devise the curriculum for the program. In addition, PwC India and NU will co-create specialized laboratories at the University, with advanced hardware and software required for the program.

“The master’s program in cybersecurity in partnership with PwC India is yet another initiative by NU to offer industry-aligned, research focused program that will enable our students to explore exciting career opportunities in today’s knowledge economy,” said Dr Rajendra Pandey, president, NU.

PwC India will jointly select the candidates along with NU and also provide expert faculty from within the firm and other industry practitioners for delivery of the program. It will help NU select the right persons from industry, with relevant work experience, to join the program. PwC and NU will jointly pick some of the bright students from other Universities as well.

PwC will invest in training and development of the candidates who will be employed with PwC India after the program. In the second year of the program, PwC India will provide six months’ on-site training to the candidates at its offices, where they will get the first-hand experience of real-life work situation. Also, the firm will jointly select the research topics with NU for the industry research for the last six months of the program. PwC India will pay the students a scholarship throughout the two years of the program towards maintenance costs.

“India is at the cusp of a big shift towards cybersecurity, both in terms of the risks, as well as in terms of the opportunities for the country,” Deepankar Sanwalka, leader advisory, PwC India. “Cyberspace changes the dynamics due to the ability of perpetrators to operate from any part of the world. Navigating the complexity and vastness of cyber risks requires building a trained base of 1 million certified and skilled cyber security professionals. PwC has been working and will continue to work for the betterment of the cybersecurity posture in the country along with government departments and corporates through its innovative methods and solutions. This tie-up is a step in that direction.”

The first batch of the master’s program in cybersecurity will commence from July 2016. The selection process will be stringent inviting applications from candidates having technical bend of mind. Applicants should have four years bachelor’s degree in engineering/technology in computer science or IT (those who are completing their degree in the current academic year are also eligible) or master’s degree holders in computer science or IT or mathematics and statistics (those completing their degree in the current academic year are also eligible). It is mandatory for applicants to have secured at least 60 percent or above in their 10th and 12th standard boards and in bachelor’s and master’s degree.

About PwC

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 208,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.

About NU

NU provides BTech program (4 years) & the BTech – MTech Integrated dual degree program (5 years) in Computer Science, Electronics and Communication Engineering and Biotechnology. The University imparts knowledge in technologies of the future through a cutting-edge curriculum using the core principles of providing industry-linked, technology-based, research-driven and seamless education. The students from the University engage in internships at prestigious organizations.