Spearheaded by the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), this international consortium includes the University of Guelph (UoG) in Canada, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Integral to this initiative are NTNU's Norwegian Centre for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors (SFI-NORCICS), UoG's Cyber Science Lab (CSL), and IIT Kanpur's Technology Innovation Hub in Cyber Security of Cyber Physical Systems (C3iHub).
Each partner institution offers comprehensive education in computer science and cybersecurity from undergraduate to doctoral levels, fostering a robust foundation for innovative cybersecurity solutions.
Integrating practical industry experiences
This project emphasizes the significant advantage of integrating practical industry experiences into academic curricula, exemplified by USN's industrial master's program in computer science, which benefits from collaborations with over 38 industrial partners.
IIT Kanpur also offers an online industrial master’s degree program (emasters) in cybersecurity. These initiatives enhance students' learning experiences and contribute to preparing a workforce adept at confronting both current and future cybersecurity challenges.
The project directly addresses the urgent need for skilled manpower in cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), areas where skilled professionals are scarce.
By developing targeted courses and curricula that blend cutting-edge research with practical training, the project aims to equip future professionals with the necessary skills to secure critical infrastructure.
Our project aligns with the strategic objectives outlined in the UTFORSK 2024 call by:
- Strengthening institutional partnerships for education and research between Norway, Canada, and India, utilizing diverse expertise to collaboratively tackle cybersecurity challenges.
- Promoting sustained student and faculty mobility to provide valuable international experiences and industry exposure, enriching the educational journey and career prospects of participants.
- Increasing integration between higher education, research, and working life, ensuring educational outcomes are directly relevant to real-world needs.
- Enhancing the international learning environment through innovative teaching methods, collaborative research initiatives, and exposure to global cybersecurity practices.
Fostering a new generation of professionals
By fostering deep collaborations, this project aspires to advance the field of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure significantly.
It aims to produce a new generation of professionals equipped to protect essential services and systems in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.
The project's commitment to interdisciplinary education, international cooperation, and industry partnership positions it as a cornerstone in the ongoing efforts to secure critical infrastructure in Norway, Canada, India, and beyond.