
CERT-IN supports off-grid cybersecurity leadership program to build national resilience
'We are not waiting for cyber threats to strike. We are creating a resilient nation by building a skilled and trusted ecosystem of professionals across all sectors,' said Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-IN.
The NCSSP reflects CERT-IN's growing focus on cross-sector capacity building, readiness drills, and public-private collaboration—seen as critical to fortifying India's cybersecurity posture in the face of asymmetric and infrastructure-level threats.
'CERT-IN has played a crucial role in building India's cybersecurity posture. Its commitment to capacity building, rapid response, and global collaboration is unmatched. Programs like NCSSP reflect that forward-looking mindset,' said Dr. M.S. Vijayraghavan, a respected voice in cyber policy.
The off-grid training model is designed to simulate the pressure of cyber crisis situations—emphasizing both leadership and adaptability. Sessions include:
• IoT and hardware hacking
• Lock-picking and RF jamming
• Radio-building and HAM communication
• Red and blue team simulations
• Survival drills involving fire-making, water sourcing, and food foraging
Previous NCSSP cohorts included professionals from global technology firms such as Microsoft, Google, Infosys, and SAP Labs. This year's Cohort 7 adds:
• IAS and IPS officers
• Personnel from CERT-IN, DRDO, UIDAI, and the Ministry of Defence
• Professors from IITs and Rashtriya Raksha University
• Executives from public sector banks, telecoms, and MSSPs
Following the bootcamp, participants will continue through January 2026 with research projects, field visits, and weekly digital modules. Capstone papers will address topics such as critical infrastructure protection, AI-driven threat modelling, cybercrime-terrorism convergence, and digital forensics.
Graduates will be inducted into the National Security Database (NSD), India's premier cybersecurity credentialing platform for professionals serving in strategic advisory or operational roles.
'Off-grid training isn't about discomfort; it's about recalibration. It's about rewiring how our leaders think, react, and lead in environments of chaos,' said Rajshekhar Pullabhatla, founder of ISAC.
With cyberattacks targeting India's financial systems, defence networks, and smart infrastructure, the NCSSP underscores a national imperative: to train cybersecurity leaders who can navigate complexity—not just with tools, but with composure.
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