The University Grants Commission (UGC) has unveiled a cybersecurity handbook aimed at educating faculty, students, and non-teaching staff on the fundamentals of cyber hygiene. Titled “Handbook on Basics of Cyber Hygiene for Higher Education Institutions”, the resource is now accessible on the UGC’s official website.

This initiative is part of UGC’s broader efforts to enhance the cybersecurity framework within higher education and promote safe online practices. In an official notice, UGC emphasized the importance of the handbook, urging all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to encourage its use. “The proactive adoption of this handbook will contribute to building a secure academic ecosystem and ensuring adherence to best practices for safeguarding digital assets,” the notice stated.

The handbook offers comprehensive guidelines and practical strategies to foster a culture of digital safety across educational institutions, thereby bolstering their cyber resilience.

With the rapid pace of digital transformation, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical field, fueling a growing demand for professionals skilled in preventing data breaches and cyber fraud. In response, several leading institutes, including IITs, now offer specialized cybersecurity courses.

Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (SOL) has also introduced various short-term programs, such as the Certified Market Expert (CMX), Wealth Management Programme, and Cybersecurity Training, to cater to the rising need for expertise in the field.