CISF Partners with IIT Ropar to Launch Advanced Cyber Commando Training Program for Digital Security
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 08, 2026 — In a major step toward fortifying India’s critical infrastructure against evolving digital threats, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar. Executed at the IIT Ropar campus, this landmark collaborative agreement officially launches an advanced Cyber Security Training Program designed to establish a specialized “Cyber Commando” force within the ranks. Under this partnership, IIT Ropar will provide the high-level training program entirely free of cost to CISF personnel, highlighting a strong public academic partnership focused on national cyber resilience.
The formal signing was conducted by Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj S., IPS, Inspector General (APS-I), CISF, alongside Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar. The event was attended by key leadership and subject matter experts from both institutions, including Santosh Kumar Suman, Chief Airport Security Officer at ASG Chandigarh; Sarang Gumfekar, Coordinator and Director of the SCALE Foundation; and Shashi Sekhar Jha, Dean and Head of the Centre for Drone & Autonomous System. Their participation emphasizes the multi-disciplinary, technical depth required to build modern operational capabilities against emerging technological threats.
This initiative signifies a critical evolution in CISF’s core mission, expanding its mandate from safeguarding physical frontiers to actively defending the digital domain. As airports, industrial complexes, and key infrastructure rely increasingly on automated networks and connected systems, the newly established Cyber Commando units will be equipped to preemptively combat sophisticated cyber threats, data breaches, and digital vulnerabilities. By focusing on continuous skill building and proactive security innovation, CISF continues to strengthen its posture as a future-ready defense force committed to preserving national stability.