Kanpur, 1 June, 2026:  C3iHub, IIT Kanpur, in partnership with Realme India, has launched the inaugural batch of the “CyberSuraksha Initiative” – a specialized Cybersecurity & Cyber Defence Workshop aimed at enhancing cyber awareness, cyber resilience, and digital security capabilities among India's frontline defence personnel.

The two-day in-person workshop was conducted on recently at C3iHub, IIT Kanpur, and brings together 47 participants from the Indian Army, including Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and Jawans from units under the Kanpur Brigade Station, Kanpur Cantonment.

The CyberSuraksha Initiative has been conceptualized to address the growing challenges posed by evolving cyber threats targeting critical institutions and national security infrastructure. Through structured training, practical demonstrations, and interactive learning sessions, participants are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to identify, prevent, and respond to contemporary cyber threats.

The workshop focuses on key aspects of cybersecurity and cyber defence relevant to defence personnel and law enforcement agencies, including cyber hygiene, digital threat awareness, incident response, cybercrime trends, secure digital practices, and emerging cyber risks. The initiative is also designed to support personnel from intelligence, revenue enforcement, and government departments who increasingly operate within a digitally interconnected environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Somitra Sanadhya, Program Director, C3iHub, IIT Kanpur, said: “Through the CyberSuraksha Initiative, we aim to empower frontline defence and law enforcement personnel with practical cyber defence capabilities that can strengthen operational readiness and resilience. This collaboration between academia, industry, and the armed forces reflects our shared commitment to building a cyber-secure India. We are proud to begin this journey with the Indian Army and look forward to expanding the program's reach to more than 1000  LEA personells”

During the valedictory ceremony, certificates were awarded to all participants in recognition of their successful completion of the CyberSuraksha Cybersecurity & Cyber Defence Workshop. The ceremony was attended by Col Binay Raj , EME, Indian Army Dr. Tanima Hajra, CEO, C3iHub; Dr. Anand Handa, CSO,  Dr. Ras, CTO, C3iHub, Dr. Pallavi, Deputy  Program Manager, C3iHub, Mr. Aditya Singh Gaur, Deputy Manager, C3iHub, and Mr. Rahul Shukla, who congratulated the participants and emphasized the importance of continuous cybersecurity capacity building for defence and government personnel. The dignitaries commended the participants for their active engagement throughout the program and encouraged them to serve as cyber awareness ambassadors within their respective organizations.

The CyberSuraksha Initiative represents a unique industry-academia-defence collaboration that combines the research and innovation capabilities of IIT Kanpur, the industry outreach of Realme India, and the operational expertise of India’s defence forces. The inaugural batch marks the beginning of a larger multi-year capacity-building effort aimed at training more than 1,000 personnel from law enforcement agencies and government departments across Uttar Pradesh. By fostering cyber awareness and practical cyber defence skills at the grassroots level, the initiative seeks to contribute significantly to India's broader cybersecurity and national security objectives.

About C3iHub, IIT Kanpur

C3iHub (Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub) at IIT Kanpur is one of India's leading cybersecurity innovation hubs established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The hub focuses on cybersecurity innovation, research, startup incubation, technology development, skill development, and capacity building to strengthen India's cyber ecosystem.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Renowned for excellence in science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education, IIT Kanpur spans a 1,050-acre lush green campus and comprises 20 departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialized schools. With over 570 faculty members and more than 9,500 students, the institute continues to lead in innovation, research, and holistic development.

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