Microsoft, DSCI launch programme to skill women in cybersecurity

Microsoft India on Monday partnered with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) to launch a programme aimed at fostering talent and building a pool of women cybersecurity professionals in the country.

As part of the three-year programme, called the "CyberShikshaa", 1,000 women from underserved communities will be trained in ten locations across the country and offered employment opportunities.

Beginning on Monday, the first phase of the programme will be rolled out across Noida, Patna, Hyderabad and Mohali.

"CyberShikshaa is significant in more ways than one. It will empower women technologists, ensure a growth driven livelihood for them and increase the participation of women in the industry," Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, said in a statement.

According to NASSCOM, the strength of the women workforce in the IT-ITeS industry currently stands at 34 per cent.

CyberShikshaa will develop a comprehensive ecosystem and evangelise women to harness the opportunities of cybersecurity as a career.

In addition to establishing a strong training network with competent trainers and infrastructure, it will work to facilitate partnerships amongst government, industry and academia.

"Cybersecurity skills development and enabling growth opportunities to women talent in cybersecurity domain is a key imperative for government and industry," added Rama Vedashree, CEO at the DSCI.

The CyberShikshaa curriculum will comprise an interactive, four-month training course with a combination of theory, case studies and practical hands on projects managed by a group of training partners led by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).

Open to women science graduates between the age of 20-27 years, it will also include mentoring sessions and workshops with industry leaders, soft skills training and technical sessions by Microsoft employee volunteers. Campus interviews will be organised for students on successful completion of the course.

The programme, spanning three years, will cover locations from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan and Telangana.

--IANS

rt/mag/bg