How to Become a Cyber Security Expert?

We put in personal information for everything, from getting food delivered to our door to buying things online. As the world has started revolving around the internet, and humongous amounts of data are transferred every second, the demand and scope for Cyber Security have increased drastically worldwide and also in India in recent times. Cyber Security is cutting-edge technology that operates like a passcode-induced lock to keep intruders out of buildings and homes. Have you been pondering if Cyber Security can be taken up as a profession? Wondered how to become a Cyber Security Expert in India?  

Scope of Cyber Security in India:

There are endless options and opportunities to become a Cyber Security expert in India. With a little bit of hard work and experience, one can get a good pay in the field of Cyber Security. Cyber security is no longer limited to specific industries. 

Let us dive in and have a quick glance at whether Cyber Security is a good career choice or not. 

Is Cyber Security a Good Career in India?

“Is Cyber Security a good career in India?” Yes, it absolutely is. But why?

Earlier, Cyber Security jobs were prominent in defense and government organizations. As digitization has surged to its peak, the Cyber Security scope in India has also escalated rapidly. Average salary for a Cyber Security Professional in Bangalore is Rs. 7,20,000 PA. With an average salary of Rs. 6 lakhs per year in India and a significant shortage of Cyber Security employees, opportunities have significantly increased. So, with increasing career opportunities, colleges that offer Cyber Security courses in India have also escalated considerably. 

Career Opportunities in Cyber Security:

The increased use of online storage has increased the demand for Cyber Security. Banks, hospitals, and Government organizations extensively require security for all their confidential data. Cyber Security professionals ensure that there are no cyber attacks by hackers. With a significant increase in start-ups, the demand for Cyber Security professionals has also increased significantly. 

Some of the options for a career in Cyber Security are: 

Which are the Top Companies Hiring Cyber Security Professionals?

Cyber Security scope has been rising, and companies have increased their hiring rates. Top companies that require Cyber Security Specialists are: 

Top Cyber Security Colleges in India:

As one of the most thriving fields, various colleges in India offer Cyber Security Courses. The top 10 Cyber Security colleges in India are listed below:

1. Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore

2. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore

3. Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bangalore

4. Presidency University, Bangalore

5. REVA University, Bangalore

6. K R Mangalam University, Gurgaon

7. Swami Vivekananda University, Kolkata

8. Jaipur National University, Jaipur

9. Sharda University, Noida

10. Amity University, Jaipur

Looking at the top 10 cyber security colleges would have left one wondering which course one should take to become a Cyber Security expert. So, let's take a look at a few Cyber Security courses and the eligibility requirements to help you get started in the field.

Cyber Security Course after 10th:  

Candidates can dive directly into Cyber Security after completing their 10th board. They need to have a minimum of 40% in their 10th grade to satisfy the Cyber Security eligibility criteria to enroll in a diploma course. A student can take up any online Cyber Security course after 10th. Here are a few online sites that provide Cyber Security courses and Certifications:

• The Beginners’ 2020 Cybersecurity Awareness Training Course- Udemy 

• IT Fundamentals for Cybersecurity Specialization - Coursera (IBM)

• Introduction to Cyber Security - Udemy

Cyber Security courses after 12th:

How to become a Cyber Security expert after 12th? There are multiple courses that can be taken up after 12th like B.Tech, BCA, B.Sc etc. 

1. B.Tech in Cyber Security:

B.Tech. in Cyber Security has emerged as one of the most popular options in India. Candidates with 50% in 12th and a PCM background are eligible for a B.Tech degree in Cyber Security. Several universities all across India offer this four year course. Opting for this course will enhance your practical as well as theoretical knowledge in cryptography, data structures and so on. 

Mentioned below are a few Top Cyber Security colleges in India, Bangalore to pursue B.Tech. 

• Ramaiah Institute of Technology

• Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering

• Jain (Deemed-to-be University)

• GITAM (Deemed-to-be University)

• Presidency University

Though the majority of students choose B.Tech in Cyber Security, there are other options such as B.Sc. or BCA in Cyber Security that are equally as good. Let's explore the B.Sc course duration and fees in the next section.

2. B.Sc in Cyber Security:

B.Sc in Cyber Security is a 3 year course and fee ranges from 1 to 2 Lakhs. PCM background and an average aggregate score of 50% in 12th are the Cyber Security course eligibility criteria that needs to be met. 

Colleges select candidates purely based on their marks. A few good B.Sc Cyber Security colleges are:

• Garden City University, Bangalore

• REVA University, Bangalore

• Akash Group of Institutions, Bangalore

• Yenepoya (Deemed-to-be University), Mangalore. 

3. BCA in Cyber Security:

Bachelors of Computer Applications in Cyber Security is a 3 year course.  Students are selected based on their 12th scores and entrance exam scores. Some BCA Cyber Security colleges in India are:

• Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore

• Akash Group of Institutions, Bangalore

• Chanakya University, Bangalore

A few mandatory Cyber Security syllabus for BCA degree are:

• IT & Cyber Law 

• Statistics

• Data Structures

• Malware Analysis 

Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) in Cloud Computing and Cyber Security is an equally good specialisation course. It is a blend of subjects that teach the Fundamentals of Computing and Clustering, Software as a Service (SaaS), Network Security, and many more. One can take up a BCA in cloud computing and cyber security as it also provides umpteen opportunities to grow in the IT sector. After a glance into BCA Cyber Security colleges in India and some mandatory subjects, let’s go through the Master's degree for the same.

Cyber Security Courses at PG Level:

1. MCA in Cyber Security:

Candidates can take up a Master of Computer Application (MCA) in Cyber Security to hone their skills further. The MCA in Cyber Security course duration and fees are 2 years and 1 lakh (average), respectively. Students who have completed their 10+2/ 2nd PUC along with BCA in Cyber Security or any other relevant degree satisfy the Cyber Security eligibility criteria to pursue an MCA degree.

Top Colleges that offer MCA in Cyber Security:

• Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore

• Akash Group of Institutions, Bangalore

• Srinivas University, Mangalore

2. M.Sc in Cyber Security:

This PG degree is a 2-year course that focuses on operational security, disaster recovery, application security, etc. Students with a B.E., B.Tech., or B.Sc. degree in computer science, Cyber Security, or other related branches with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks can apply. A plethora of Colleges offer M.Sc in Cyber Security in India. A few colleges expect meritorious students, and some colleges conduct entrance exams during their admissions. During their 2 year course, students have to study some mandatory subjects for M.Sc in Cyber Security, some of which are mentioned below:

• Online Anonymity

• Basic Analysis

• Data Structures

• Networking

• Digital Forensics 

3. Post Graduate (PG) Diploma in Cyber Security:

A PG Diploma in Cyber Security can be obtained to further one's knowledge of the cyber world while also increasing one's employment opportunities. Students who have graduated from any recognised university are eligible to apply for the course. The PG Diploma in Cyber Security is a one year course. Colleges prefer students from engineering, MCA, or BCA backgrounds. Students can pick a top college that offers a PG Diploma course in India and pursue the degree. The field of Cyber Security has a lot of advantages and acquiring it as a profession has merits of its own.

Advantages of Cyber Security:

Here are how businesses benefit from Cyber Security:

1. Protection of Personal Information.

2. Enhances Productivity.

3. Protection against internal and external threats.

4. Prevents websites from getting hacked.

5. Provides a safe working environment.

How much do Cyber Security Analysts Earn in India:

Salary for Cyber Security Professional in India varies based on a few factors, like:

1. Skillset of an individual.

2. Location of the company.

3. Experience of the individual.

4. Education background of an individual.

The Average Salary for Cyber Security Professional in India for different specializations are mentioned below:

Hope this article helps you make the right choice if you're aspiring to take up Cyber Security as a profession and also answers the question, “How to become a Cyber Security expert in India?“.