TCS, UK government to jointly offer world’s first cyber security educational programme

Tata Consultancy Services and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK Government will jointly create the Chevening-TCS Scholarship on cyber policy for professionals in diverse fields from India.

This will be the world's first cyber security and public policy education programme.

The programme will be taught by Cranfield University, which has significant expertise in the areas of cyber security and global security, on its campus at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham.

One of the most prestigious global programmes of its kind in the world,  the Chevening Scholarship scheme is the UK government's premier scheme to attract and select from around the world, those scholars who demonstrate the greatest potential to become leaders, decision-makers and opinion-formers in their own countries.

The programme is targeted at outstanding mid-career professionals from India that have the potential to be leaders in their chosen fields. In the first year, six Indian nationals will be selected to undergo a 12 week programme in the UK. The programme will run for an initial period of three years, with the first course expected to start in February 2014.

The curriculum for the Chevening-TCS Scholarship on Cyber Policy has been conceptualized by TCS and the FCO.

''This is a pioneering course that not only covers the technical side of cyber security, but also brings together the related areas of public policy, such as internet governance, national security, crime prevention, and enabling online commerce and freedom of expression,"  said Francis Maude, Minister for the cabinet office of the UK government.

"I'm grateful to TCS for making it possible with their sponsorship,''Maude added.

Shankar Narayanan, country head, UK & Ireland, Tata Consultancy Services, said,  ''By drawing on TCS' technical expertise and the FCO's world-class policy knowledge, we have been able to create a scholarship programme that will help future leaders prepare for the increasingly complex world of cyber security and policy.''

The detailed course will be developed by Cranfield University, a wholly post-graduate institution with a global reputation for excellence and expertise in aerospace, automotive, defence and security, engineering, environment and water, health, management and manufacturing.

According to Prof. Ian Wallace, head of school, Cranfield Defence and Security, many nation-states have realised that the challenges faced in cyberspace cross geographical boundaries and multiple jurisdictions.

"Activities in cyberspace have direct and critical impact on social and economic prosperity and the security of a nation. This programme complements the range of postgraduate programmes and short courses that Cranfield offers on this subject. It especially provides an excellent balance between technology and the social dimension of cyberspace.

This programme builds on the bilateral interaction at various levels between India and the UK on the subject of cyber security and is intended to develop expertise and skills in the areas of cyber security, information assurance and online governance challenges.