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M-TECH in Cyber Security at Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT)
Pune, Maharashtra
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About the Specialization
What is Cyber Security at Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) Pune?
This M.Tech Cyber Security program at Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) focuses on developing highly skilled professionals capable of tackling complex cyber threats. With a strong emphasis on practical skills and theoretical foundations, it addresses the critical demand for cyber security experts in India''''s rapidly digitizing economy, offering a deep dive into defensive and offensive security paradigms.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering graduates (B.E./B.Tech. in relevant branches) or M.Sc. holders in Computer Science/IT, who possess a strong analytical aptitude and a keen interest in digital security. It caters to fresh graduates aspiring for entry into the cyber security domain and working professionals seeking to specialize or upskill in advanced security technologies.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to secure roles as Cyber Security Analysts, Incident Responders, Security Architects, and Forensic Experts in leading Indian IT firms, defence organizations, and government agencies. With starting salaries ranging from INR 6-12 LPA for freshers and significant growth potential, this degree provides a robust foundation for pursuing certifications like CISSP or CEH.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Security & Networking Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Focus deeply on foundational subjects like Advanced Data Structures, Computer Networks, and Cryptography. Actively participate in lab sessions for Cyber Security Lab and Advanced Cyber Security Lab to gain hands-on experience with network scanning, vulnerability assessment, and basic malware analysis tools. Utilize online platforms for coding and problem-solving.
Tools & Resources
Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit (ethical use only), HackTheBox (beginner labs), GeeksforGeeks for algorithms
Career Connection
A strong grasp of fundamentals is crucial for passing technical interviews and understanding complex security systems, laying the groundwork for roles like Security Analyst or Junior Penetration Tester.
Build a Practical Cyber Security Home Lab- (Semester 1-2)
Set up a virtualized environment on your personal computer (using VirtualBox or VMware) with various operating systems (Kali Linux, Windows Server, etc.) and vulnerable applications. Experiment with different security tools, practice basic penetration testing techniques, and simulate common attack scenarios to understand system weaknesses and defenses.
Tools & Resources
VirtualBox/VMware Workstation Player, Kali Linux, OWASP Broken Web Applications Project, VulnHub VMs
Career Connection
Hands-on experience in a controlled environment translates directly to practical skills valued by employers, enhancing your profile for security operations and testing roles.
Engage in Peer Learning & Discussion Groups- (Semester 1-2)
Form study groups with classmates to discuss complex topics, share insights from lab exercises, and collaboratively solve challenges. Present key concepts to each other to solidify understanding and develop communication skills. Attend departmental seminars and guest lectures to broaden your perspective on current industry trends.
Tools & Resources
WhatsApp/Discord groups, collaborative whiteboards, DIAT library resources
Career Connection
Effective teamwork and communication are essential in cyber security roles. Peer learning strengthens technical understanding and prepares you for collaborative problem-solving in professional environments.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize Through Electives & Certifications- (Semester 3)
Choose electives strategically based on your career interests (e.g., Ethical Hacking, Cloud Security, Blockchain Security). Concurrently pursue relevant industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), or cloud security certifications (AWS/Azure Security). These validate specialized skills beyond the academic curriculum.
Tools & Resources
Official certification study guides, online training platforms (Cybrary, Coursera, Udemy), exam simulators
Career Connection
Specialization through electives and certifications directly aligns with specific job roles, making you a more attractive candidate for specialized positions in areas like cloud security, penetration testing, or blockchain forensics.
Undertake an Industry-Relevant Mini-Project- (Semester 3)
Beyond academic assignments, actively seek out opportunities for mini-projects, either self-initiated or with faculty guidance, focusing on a specific cyber security problem. This could involve developing a small security tool, analyzing a specific vulnerability, or contributing to an open-source security project.
Tools & Resources
GitHub, project management tools, faculty mentorship, industry contacts
Career Connection
Demonstrating initiative and practical project experience significantly enhances your resume, showcases problem-solving abilities, and provides tangible examples for interviews, especially for research or development roles.
Network Actively with Professionals & Attend Workshops- (Semester 3)
Attend national/international cyber security conferences, workshops, and webinars (both online and offline) organized in India. Connect with professionals, alumni, and guest speakers. Participate in hackathons and security competitions to test your skills and expand your network.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, NASSCOM, DSCI events, local Cyber Security communities (e.g., NullCon, OWASP meetups)
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to internship and job opportunities, provides insights into industry trends, and allows you to learn from experienced professionals, which is invaluable for career growth.
Advanced Stage
Excel in Major Project & Publish Research- (Semester 3-4)
Dedicate substantial effort to your Major Project Phase I and II, aiming for innovative solutions to real-world cyber security challenges. Document your work meticulously, aiming for research paper publications in reputed conferences or journals, which is highly valued in both academia and industry R&D roles.
Tools & Resources
Research databases (IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library), LaTeX/Overleaf, academic writing tools, faculty supervisors
Career Connection
A strong major project and publication record are critical for securing R&D positions, higher studies (Ph.D.), or specialized roles requiring deep technical expertise. It demonstrates independent research capability.
Prepare for Placements with Mock Interviews & Case Studies- (Semester 4)
Begin rigorous placement preparation, including mock technical and HR interviews, focusing on cyber security concepts, coding, and problem-solving. Practice solving case studies related to incident response, vulnerability management, and security architecture. Refine your resume and cover letter to highlight your specialized skills and project experience.
Tools & Resources
Career services cell, online interview platforms (HackerRank, LeetCode), mock interview sessions with seniors/faculty
Career Connection
Thorough preparation is key to converting interviews into job offers. It builds confidence and ensures you can articulate your technical knowledge and suitability for target roles.
Develop Leadership & Soft Skills for the Workplace- (Semester 4)
Participate in professional development workshops to hone communication, presentation, and team leadership skills. Volunteer to lead project teams or organize departmental events. These soft skills are crucial for career progression, especially as you move into management or client-facing security roles.
Tools & Resources
Public speaking clubs, university workshops, online courses on leadership/communication
Career Connection
While technical skills get you hired, strong soft skills ensure career advancement. They are vital for leading security teams, managing projects, and interacting effectively with stakeholders in complex organizational structures.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.E. / B.Tech. in Computer Sc. & Engg / Computer Engineering / Computer Tech. / Information Tech. / Electronics / Electronics & Communication Engg. or equivalent; or M.Sc. in Computer Science / Information Science / Electronics / Mathematics or equivalent. GATE qualification is mandatory for scholarship.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 66 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS-110 | Advanced Data Structures & Algorithms | Core | 4 | Algorithmic Analysis Techniques, Advanced Data Structures (Trees, Graphs, Heaps), Sorting and Searching Algorithms, Dynamic Programming, Graph Algorithms |
| MCS-111 | Advanced Computer Networks | Core | 4 | Network Architectures and Protocols, TCP/IP Suite, Routing Protocols (OSPF, BGP), Quality of Service (QoS), Wireless and Mobile Networks |
| MCS-112 | Foundations of Cyber Security | Core | 4 | Security Principles and Models, Introduction to Cryptography, Network Security Concepts, Operating System Security, Cyber Threats and Attacks |
| MCS-113 | Cyber Security Laboratory | Lab | 2 | Network Reconnaissance and Scanning, Vulnerability Assessment Tools, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), Packet Analysis with Wireshark, Basic Forensic Tools |
| MCS-114 | Probability and Statistics | Core | 4 | Probability Theory, Random Variables and Distributions, Hypothesis Testing, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference |
| MCS-115 | Research Methodology & IPR | Core | 2 | Research Design and Ethics, Data Collection and Analysis Methods, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Scientific Report Writing, Patent Filing Procedures |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS-210 | Digital Forensics and Malware Analysis | Core | 4 | Digital Forensics Process, Evidence Collection and Preservation, Disk and Network Forensics, Malware Types and Characteristics, Malware Analysis Techniques |
| MCS-211 | Cryptography and Network Security | Core | 4 | Symmetric and Asymmetric Cryptography, Hashing and Digital Signatures, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems, IPSec, SSL/TLS Protocols |
| MCS-212 | Cyber Threat Intelligence | Core | 4 | Threat Landscape and Actors, Intelligence Cycle and Frameworks, OSINT, HUMINT, TECHINT, Threat Modeling and Analysis, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) |
| MCS-213 | Advanced Cyber Security Lab | Lab | 2 | Advanced Malware Analysis Tools, Network Forensics Analysis, Reverse Engineering Fundamentals, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, Security Policy Implementation |
| MCS-220 | Secure Software Development | Elective Option | 4 | Secure SDLC, Threat Modeling for Applications, Common Web Application Vulnerabilities, Secure Coding Practices, Security Testing (SAST, DAST) |
| MCS-221 | Cloud Security | Elective Option | 4 | Cloud Computing Architectures, Cloud Security Challenges, Identity and Access Management in Cloud, Data Security in Cloud, Cloud Security Standards and Compliance |
| MCS-222 | SCADA & Critical Infrastructure Security | Elective Option | 4 | SCADA Systems Architecture, Industrial Control System (ICS) Security, Vulnerabilities in Critical Infrastructure, Risk Management for ICS, Cyber-Physical System Security |
| MCS-223 | Wireless & Mobile Security | Elective Option | 4 | Wireless Network Security (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), Mobile OS Security (Android, iOS), Mobile Application Security, Mobile Malware Analysis, Cellular Network Security |
| MCS-224 | IoT Security | Elective Option | 4 | IoT Architecture and Protocols, Security Challenges in IoT, IoT Device Security, Data Privacy in IoT, Securing IoT Gateways and Cloud |
| MCS-225 | Steganography & Watermarking | Elective Option | 4 | Information Hiding Techniques, Image and Audio Steganography, Digital Watermarking Principles, Robust and Fragile Watermarking, Steganalysis Techniques |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS-310 | Major Project Phase – I | Project | 10 | Problem Identification and Formulation, Extensive Literature Review, Methodology Development, System Design and Architecture, Preliminary Implementation and Testing |
| MCS-320 | Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing | Elective Option | 4 | Reconnaissance and Scanning, Vulnerability Exploitation, Web Application Penetration Testing, Wireless Hacking, Post-Exploitation Techniques |
| MCS-321 | Web Application Security | Elective Option | 4 | OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities, Injection Attacks (SQLi, XSS), Authentication and Session Management, Security Misconfigurations, Web Application Firewalls (WAF) |
| MCS-322 | Cyber Law & Ethics | Elective Option | 4 | Indian IT Act 2000/2008, Data Protection and Privacy Laws (GDPR, DPDP Bill), Cybercrime and Legal Frameworks, Ethical Hacking and Legal Boundaries, Digital Evidence and Jurisprudence |
| MCS-323 | Blockchain Security | Elective Option | 4 | Blockchain Fundamentals, Cryptographic Primitives in Blockchain, Consensus Mechanisms Security, Smart Contract Vulnerabilities, Decentralized Application (DApp) Security |
| MCS-324 | AI/ML in Cyber Security | Elective Option | 4 | AI/ML Fundamentals, Machine Learning for Malware Detection, AI for Anomaly Detection, Adversarial Machine Learning, AI-driven Threat Intelligence |
| MCS-325 | Digital Identity & Access Management | Elective Option | 4 | Identity Management Architectures, Authentication Protocols (OAuth, OpenID Connect), Authorization Models (RBAC, ABAC), Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) |
| MCS-330 | Data Privacy & Security | Elective Option | 4 | Privacy Principles and Regulations, Data Anonymization Techniques, Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs), Data Breach Notification, Privacy by Design |
| MCS-331 | Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems | Elective Option | 4 | IDS/IPS Architectures, Signature-based and Anomaly-based Detection, Host-based and Network-based IDS, Evasion Techniques, Deployment and Management of IDS/IPS |
| MCS-332 | Security Operations Center (SOC) | Elective Option | 4 | SOC Organization and Functions, Incident Response Process, Security Monitoring and Alerting, Threat Intelligence Integration, Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) |
| MCS-333 | Network Vulnerability Assessment & Hardening | Elective Option | 4 | Vulnerability Assessment Methodologies, Network Scanning Tools, Configuration Hardening Techniques, Patch Management, Security Auditing |
| MCS-334 | Quantum Cryptography | Elective Option | 4 | Quantum Mechanics Fundamentals, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Quantum Algorithms (Shor''''s, Grover''''s), Post-Quantum Cryptography, Challenges in Quantum Cryptography |
| MCS-335 | Hardware Security | Elective Option | 4 | Hardware Attack Surfaces, Physical Attacks (Side-Channel, Fault Injection), Hardware Trojans, Secure Hardware Design Principles, Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCS-410 | Major Project Phase – II | Project | 20 | System Implementation and Development, Comprehensive Testing and Evaluation, Results Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Documentation, Presentation and Viva-Voce |
