CISF, IIT Ropar sign MoU to strengthen cyber security capabilities in aviation sector

The Central Industrial Security Force CISF Airport Sector has signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar IIT Ropar to conduct a specialised sixweek residential cyber security training programme for CISF personnelThe agreement was signed on August 7 2026 and is aimed at developing personnel with specialised skills to identify respond to and manage cyber security threats affecting critical aviation infrastructureTraining to focus on cyber threats and critical infrastructureThe sixweek programme will provide participants with both theoretical and practical training in areas including cyber security fundamentals critical information infrastructure digital forensics incident detection and response disaster recovery business continuity planning emerging cyber threats and multisector crisis simulationThe initiative comes as security agencies face growing cyber risks to critical infrastructure including aviation facilities where disruptions to digital systems could affect airport operations and have wider economic and security implicationsThe programme will be conducted on a nocost basis and is part of a broader effort by the CISF to build a specialised cyber security cadre within the forcePartnership to build specialised CISF cyber cadreThe collaboration follows the vision outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police Conference2024 and directions from the Union Home Ministry to strengthen cyber capabilities and dedicated cyber commando capacities among Central Armed Police Forces and state police organisationsUnder CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan the force has been working to develop personnel with specialised capabilities to address emerging cyber security challenges The Airport Sector is a particular focus because of the importance of aviation infrastructure to national operations and securityThe partnership will be implemented through the IIT Ropar SCALE Foundation and is expected to establish a structured institutional framework for specialised cyber security training for CISF personnelMoU signed by senior officialsThe MoU was signed by IIT Ropar Director Prof Rajeev Ahuja and CISF Inspector General Airport SectorI Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj S IPS in New DelhiSenior officials from IIT Ropar and CISF attended the signing ceremony including Dr Sarang Gumfekar Coordinator and Director of the SCALE Foundation and Dr Shashi Sekhar Jha Dean and Head of the Centre for Drone and Autonomous Systems CISF officers including Santosh Kumar Suman Chief Airport Security Officer at Chandigarh Airport were also presentThe training is intended to give selected CISF personnel practical exposure to cyber incident management and investigations along with an understanding of how cyber threats can affect the operation and continuity of critical infrastructureFocus on cyber resilience and incident responseThe programme is expected to strengthen the CISFs ability to detect and respond to cyber incidents assist in cyber investigations and improve preparedness for disruptions involving critical aviation systemsThe force is responsible for security at several airports and other vital installations across the country making cyber security an increasingly important part of its overall security responsibilities