What is Cyber Security?: Course Fees 2026, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Updated on Sep 30, 2026 11:52 IST
Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

A Cyber Security course teaches you how to protect computers, networks and data from online thieves and hackers. 

For Cyber Security course, candidates must clear Class 12 and clear one of the exams like JEE Main, GATE, CUET UG, AP EAMCET, MHT CET, KEAM, TS EAMCET, etc. Please note that curriculum, eligibility, entrance exams and fees can be different based on courses and colleges.

Popular colleges that offer Cyber Security course are Kristu Jayanti University, St. Joseph’s University Bangalore, Presidency College, Galgotias University, etc. Cyber Security course fees can be between INR 1 Lakh to INR 8 Lakh.

After a Cyber Security course, as a fresher, you can get a salary between INR 3.5 LPA and INR 7 LPA. Once you reach an executive role, you can get between INR 50 LPA and INR 1 Crore+ per year. Automobile Engineer course graduates can go for jobs like Intrusion detection specialist, IT security administrator, Incident response analyst, Cybersecurity manager, etc.

Q:   What is Cyber Security?
A:

Cyber security basically refers to protecting systems and software from threats or damage online. It has a lot of more verticals and specialized areas. Nowadays online cyber threats are increasing. This is the reason there is increase in the demand for cyber security professionals. 

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Q:   What is the eligibility of cyber security course after 12th?
A:

The eligibility for an online cybersecurity program is mentioned below -

  • Preferably pass class 12 with science and CS background
  • Basic computer skills
  • Basics of languages like Python, Java, etc
  • Basics of networking and OS
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Q:   Why study Cyber Security Courses?
A:

One of the major reasons could be the career prospects. With so much emphasis on data and security going on these days. One needs to understand the job market need for cybersecurity professionals. The entry-level pay is decent. Remote opportunities are usually unlocked for experienced professionals who are making in Lacs per month. Ofcourse the specific profile and package largely depend on the recruiter.

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Q:   What is the scope of Computer Science courses in India and abroad?
A:

With most data stored online either on servers, database and increasing cyber-threats, the demand of cyber security is growing. With news of major breaches making headlines almost daily, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. If you are an aspiring ethical hacker or want to make a career in the cybersecurity domain; Id strongly advise you to keep updating your knowledge and skills. Cybersecurity jobs are a part of Information Technology and the IT industry is mainly driven by the private sector in both India and abroad. 

Please note that foreign companies might need you to fulfill some extra criteria to fit the country norms. The research for the respective companies' criteria should be done beforehand.

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Table of contents
  • Cyber Security Course Details
  • How to Apply for Cyber Security Courses
  • Cyber Security Course Entrance Exams
  • Cyber Security Course Admission Process
  • Best Colleges for Cyber Security Course
  • Popular Private Cyber Security Colleges in India
  • Cyber Security Syllabus
  • Cyber Security: Salary, Career Scope and Top Recruiters 2026
  • FAQs
  • Popular Cyber Security UG Courses
  • Popular Cyber Security PG Courses
  • Most Popular Courses
View More

Cyber Security Course Details

With data-driven decision-making prevailing in almost all industries. Data and system protection have become extremely important for all big and small corporations. 

Check out the key highlights of Cyber Security course details -

Particulars  Cyber Security Course Details

Cyber Security Course Levels

Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma, Doctorate

Cyber Security Course Duration

  • UG: 3-4 years
  • PG: 2 years
  • Diploma in Cyber Security: 3 years
  • PhD: 3-6 years
  • Certification: 6 Months to 1 Year

Cyber Security Course Eligibility

  • UG: Class 12
  • PG: B.Tech/ B.Sc/BCA

Cyber Security Admission Requirements

Merit/Entrance-Based

Cyber Security Entrance Exams

JEE MAIN, MHT CET, etc.

Cyber Security Course Fees  INR 40,000 to 8 Lakh
Average Cyber Security Salary INR 1 LPA - 18 LPA
Cyber Security Career

Intrusion detection specialist, IT security administrator, Incident response analyst, Cybersecurity manager, Information security analyst, Security Engineer, Chief information security officer, etc.

Cyber Security Top Companies Wipro, Infosys, HCL Tech, Accenture, IBM, Deloitte, etc.
Online Cyber Security Courses Coursera, edX, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and FutureLearn

Note: Data is taken from official sources and can change.

How to Apply for Cyber Security Courses

Cyber Security course is a specialization in IT field. This is one of the main reasons why cybersecurity is mainly done through degrees such as BTech & MTech. Students who wish for Cyber Security course with more emphasis on the theoretical part will prefer going for BSc, MSc in cybersecurity.

Candidate must first select the type of degree they would be pursuing. Next thing is they need to clear exams like -

  • National Level Entrance Exams: For UG & PG Cyber Security course candidates may choose to apply for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CUET & GATE, CUET PG, etc.
  • State Level Entrance Exams: Some of the popular exams to get admission into top colleges of a particular state include AP EAMCET, MHT-CET, AP PGECET, TANCET, GUJCET, MAKAUT CET, TS EAMCET, etc.
  • University Level Entrance Exams: Admission or scholarships for many Cyber Security course can be obtained from top private universities through exams like VITEEE, CUCET, UPESEAT, LPU NEST, etc.


Cyber Security Course Eligibility

For a Cyber Security course, candidates must meet some academic and age requirements set by colleges. Eligibility can be different and it is based on whether you are going for a UG degree, a diploma or a PG course. 

See eligibility below - 

Parameters 

Requirements 

Qualifying Exam 

UG: Class 12th PCM with 50% aggregate

PG: Respective UG degree with 50% marks

Note: Every university has a different parameter, please check official university website for details  

Entrance Exam 

JEE, GATE, CUET, CUET PG

Any state level or private university exam 

Age Criteria 

Minimum: 17 years 

Maximum: No upper age limit

Note: Data is taken from official sources and can change.

Cyber Security Course Entrance Exams

Many colleges give you admission to Cyber Security course based on your school marks. But to get into the best colleges, you must pass special exams. You should research these exams and colleges carefully before making your choice.

 

Cyber Security Course: National Level Exams

There are multiple national level exams for UG and PG cybersecurity courses. Exams like JEE and GATE allow admissions in IITs, IIITs and NITs. Many national level exams have a different UG and PG division. Students should check once before applying.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

JEE Main The national-level engineering entrance exam for getting admission to top engineering colleges in India. JEE Main Exam Date
JEE Advanced The national-level engineering entrance exam that dictates whether a student qualifies for IITs. JEE Advanced Exam Date
National-level entrance organised by the NTA to enrol in UG courses in different Indian Universities. CUET Exam Date
CUET PG National-level entrance organised by the NTA to enrol in PG courses in top Indian Universities. CUET PG Exam Date
GATE National-level entrance by IISc and IITs for admissions to top colleges offering courses in engineering, technology, architecture, science, and humanities. GATE Exam Date

Cyber Security Course: University Level Exams

Many reputed private and government colleges conduct their own entrance exams. VIT, Vellore and Chandigargh University are a few examples.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

VITEEE University-specific entrance exam conducted by VIT for admission into B. Tech programmes. VITEEE Exam Date
CUCET

University-specific entrance exam for getting admission/ scholarship in different academic programs at Chandigarh University.

CUCET Exam Date
UPESEAT University-specific entrance exam in UPES primarily for admission to its B. Tech in different disciplines. UPESEAT Exam Date
LPU NEST

University-specific entrance for admissions/scholarships to Lovely Professional University in various UG and PG programs.

LPU NEST Exam Date

Cyber Security Course: State Level Exams

State exams give a certain edge to students. They offer quality education with lesser competition in entrance exams.

Entrance Exams

Exam Description  

Exam Schedule

AP EAMCET State-level entrance examination conducted for engineering admissions in different disciplines in colleges in Andhra Pradesh. AP EAMCET Exam Date
MHT-CET State-level entrance by the State CET Cell, Maharashtra, for admission into engineering colleges in the state. MHT-CET Exam Date
AP PGECET State-level exam for Andhra Pradesh Post Graduate Engineering courses in various disciplines, one of them being cybersecurity. AP PGECET Exam Date
TANCET  State-level entrance exam for admission to PG engineering degrees in top colleges across Tamil Nadu. TANCET Exam Date
GUJCET  State-level entrance exam for admission to UG Degree Engineering and UG Degree/ Diploma Pharmacy Courses in Gujarat State.  GUJCET Exam Date
MAKAUT CET Entrance for admission to the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology and its affiliated colleges. MAKAUT CET Exam Date
TS EAMCET State-level entrance by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad for engineering admission across. Telangana. TS EAMCET Exam Date

7 Nov ' 26

SAT India Exam (November) Attempt

5 Dec ' 26

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15 Oct ' 26

KEA PGCET 2026 Round 2 Seat Allotment Result

15 Oct ' 26

KEA PGCET 2026 Round 2 Seat Matrix Release

Q:   What are the Cyber Security courses at National Forensic Sciences University?
A:

 The NFSUs are premier national institutions with a separate school for Cyber Security & Digital Forensics. Some cyber security courses offered by NFSU are given below:

  • MTech Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
  • MSc Digital Forensics and Information Security
  • MSc Cyber Security
  • PG Diploma in Web and Mobile Security
  • PG Diploma in Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
Q:   What are some distance courses in Cyber Security?
A:

Some popular cyber security degree courses are offered as distance course and their respective time duration are mentioned in the table given below -

Course Name

Duration

Certificate in Information Security by Simplilearn

3 months to 1 year

Certified Ethical Hacker by Udemy

3 months to 2 years

IT Security: Defense Against The Digital Dark Arts: Google

6 weeks

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst

8 months

Introduction to Cybersecurity and Risk Management

3 months

Professional Certificate in Essentials of Cybersecurity

6 months

Cybersecurity and Privacy in the IoT

5 weeks

Data source - multiple external/official sites on the web, may vary.

Cyber Security Course Admission Process

Candidates can see a detailed, step-wise Cyber Security course admission process below:

Cyber Security Course Admission Process: Government Colleges

  • Ensure clearance of Class 12th in PCM with 50% aggregate for UG degree and a UG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least for PG course

  • Check the application process for national level exams like CUET, JEE Mains and GATE and other state level exams.

  • Clear entrance exams

  • Get documents verified during counseling process

  • Confirm your seat after paying tuition fees

 

Cyber Security Course Admission Process: Private Colleges

  • Ensure clearance of Class 12th in PCM with 50% aggregate for UG degree and a UG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least for PG course

  • Check application process for the colleges you want to apply to

  • Clear entrance exams, if any

  • For PG courses some colleges accept the aggregate marks or CGPA of UG degree, check admission criteria on the official website of the college

  • Participate in counseling or interview rounds conducted by the university

  • If selected, submit documents and pay the tuition fees to get a seat

Q:   Can I switch to a cybersecurity specialisation if I get into a general Computer Science program?
A:

Yes, many colleges offer a change in major during the course. But it is subject to change only in the first semester or the first year. The other stipulation is that the change in major must be done in a similar course. In this case, switching from CS to Cyber Security works great. It is different for every college though. Students are advised to check official college guidelines.

Q:   Do I need a coding portfolio to get admitted?
A:

That depends on the level of degree a student is pursuing. For an undergraduate degree a coding portfolio is not required. A UG degree is a foundational course. It builds skills along the way. But for a PG degree a portfolio is usually necessary. It is to showcase the knowledge a student gained and their capabilities after the UG degree.

Best Colleges for Cyber Security Course

Nothing can come close to IITs when it comes to education in India. All top 8 colleges in the NIRF 2025 ranking of Best Engineering Colleges in India belong to IITs. Immediately followed by NIT Trichy and IIT BHU.

Following is the list of Top Engineering colleges according to NIRF Rankings 2025: 

 

Best Private Colleges for Cyber Security Course

Engineering colleges like Amity University and Kristu Jayanti University are well-known and reputable because of their engineering programs.

Following is the list of Best Private Cyber Security colleges:

Name

Total Fees (INR)

Kristu Jayanti University

4.5 Lakh

St. Joseph’s University

50,000 - 4.5 Lakh

Presidency College

4 Lakh

Galgotias University

35,000 - 6.56 Lakh

Institute of Management Studies, Noida

5.21 Lakh

See the full list of Best Private Cyber Security Colleges

Best Affordable Private Colleges for Cyber Security Course

Quality education does not always have to cost you an arm and a leg. India has numerous private colleges offering excellent academic performance along with affordability.

Following is the list of Best Affordable Private Cyber Security colleges:

Name

Fees (INR)

K J Somaiya School of Engineering 60 K - 22.68 L
GMR Aviation Academy, Hyderabad 10 K - 6 L
GMR Aero Academy, Delhi 10 K - 6 L
I-Medita 14 K - 1.1 L
Parul University 3.2 L - 7 L

See the full list of  Best Affordable Private Cyber Security colleges

Best Government Colleges for Cyber Security Course

Government institutions in India are some of the best colleges where you can get exposure. Not only do they offer quality education but they are also very affordable.

Following is the list of Best Government Cyber Security colleges:

See the complete list of Best Government Cyber Security colleges

₹4.5 L
₹6.5 LPA
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₹50 K - 4.5 L
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1 Course
₹4 L
₹7.5 LPA
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₹35 K - 6.56 L
3.9
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Cyber Security Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
₹5.21 L
3.3
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2 Courses
₹3.46 L - 4.71 L
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Q:   What are some popular courses in Cyber Security specialization?
A:

BSc Cyber Security is a 3-years, full-time programme offered by prestigious universities across India. It aims at making a student competent in both theoretical and functional aspects of Cyber Security. You can pursue the course after completing your Class 12 in the PCM stream and computer science.
BE/BTech Cyber Security is a 4 years, full-time programme offered by renowned universities all over India. It focuses on an extensive understanding of Cyber Crime, Network Security, Intrusion, Detection, and Prevention applications, along with the Design and Evaluation of Algorithms. 

Q:   Which are some top platforms that offer courses in Cyber Security?
A:

 Some of the top platforms that offer courses in Cyber Security are mentioned in the list below -

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Q:   What are some common Cyber Security Threats?
A:

Some common Cybersecurity Threats are mentioned in the table below -

 

Q:   Why should I pursue Cyber Security Course?
A:

The cybersecurity course teaches one to use advanced skills and knowledge to apply in various IT fields in cybersecurity roles to ensure their employability. The online cybersecurity program lets you to enrol in programs offered by some of the best institutions overcoming the location and time constraints. 

Popular Private Cyber Security Colleges in India

6 Courses
₹3 L - 11.2 L
4.1
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₹5.6 L
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6 Courses
₹3.22 L - 4.12 L
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₹4.2 L - 11.18 L
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2 Courses
₹2.1 L - 2.8 L
₹3.5 LPA
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Cyber Security Syllabus

Cyber Security courses are mainly available in 2 formats at UG and PG level. BTech and MTech degrees focus more on coding and the engineering side of the subject. A BSc/MSc degree teaches students scientific principles, threat management and the correct application of cyber security. The syllabus is different for each college and course. Sometimes, Cyber Security is also offered as a specialisation under Computer Science Courses.

The following table shows more details about Cyber Security Course Syllabus:

Course

Core Subjects

BTech in Cyber Security

Data Structures & Algorithms, Object Oriented Programming (Java/C++), Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Cryptography, Ethical Hacking

MTech in Cyber Security

Advanced Cryptography, Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT), Cyber Law & Compliance, and Security Operations Center (SOC)

BSc in Cyber Security

Information Security Fundamentals, Database Management Systems, Web Application Security, Cyber Threat Hunting, Incident Response, and Risk Management

MSc in Cyber Security

Advanced Digital Forensics, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Information Security Governance, Blockchain Security, and Secure Software Development

 

Q:   What is the difference between Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking?
A:

Ethical hacking mainly works on the offensive side and teaches about how to hack into systems legally to test vulnerabilities. Ethical hacking is best for students who already know the basics of Networking, Linux, and Coding. Ethical hacking courses are usually certification-oriented. The career scopes of Ethical Hacking include Penetration Tester, Bug Bounty Hunter, and Security Analyst.

Now, when it comes to Cyber Security, it broadly focuses on the defensive side, including concepts like firewalls, cryptography, incident response, and offensive aspects. It is best for the students who have little to no background. Cyber Security can also be pursued as a degree (BSc/ BTech) or certification. A cybersecurity Career path includes Security Engineer, SOC Analyst, Risk Manager, and Security Consultant.

If you're just starting, a Cyber Security course is the safer option because it gives you the foundation (networking, security basics, defense strategies). Once you're comfortable, you can specialize in Ethical Hacking as a subfield.

 

Q:   What is the syllabus of an Online Cyber Security Course?
A:

The syllabus for Cyber Security varies for different courses. Take a look at the generic course curriculum for online Cyber Security courses.

Online Cyber Security Course Syllabus
IntroductionSecurity Through Isolation and Compartmentalization
The Threat and Vulnerability LandscapeSecurity Domains
The Current Threat and Vulnerability LandscapeSocial Engineering and Social Media Offence and Defence
Encryption Crash CourseSecurity Bugs and Vulnerabilities
Setting up a Testing Environment Using Virtual Machines (Lab)Operating System Security & Privacy (Windows vs Mac OS X vs Linux)

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Cyber Security: Salary, Career Scope and Top Recruiters 2026

Recruiters often encounter a skill gap in the cybersecurity job market. Hence there is low competition for professionals with actual skills and experience. Cybersecurity is one of the most sought-after specializations in IT. 

Salary and Job Profiles

Check out some of the top profiles in the said domain

Corporate & Private Sector

Jobs

Average Salary (INR)

Security Analyst

6.9 LPA

Security Architect

29.6 LPA

Penetration Tester

10.4 LPA

Financial Services & Banking

Fintech Security Engineer

13.7 LPA

Fraud Analyst

4.8 LPA

Compliance Auditor

5.3 LPA

Government & Defense

Information Assurance Officer

36.5 LPA

Cyber Security Expert

11 LPA

Digital Forensics Analyst

5.1 LPA

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Cyber Security Specialist

16.4 LPA

Data Privacy Officer

15 LPA

Critical Infrastructure & Utilities

SCADA Security Engineer

5.2 LPA

System Analyst

11.2 LPA

Source of salary data - Ambitionbox.com

Top Recruiters in Cyber Security

Top Recruiters in Cyber Security sectors in India

Sector

Companies

Corporate & Private Sector

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Accenture, IBM India, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra

Financial Services & Banking

HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI, IDFC FIRST Bank, Bank of America (GBS), JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, HSBC

Government & Defense

DRDO, ISRO, NIC, CDAC, CERT-In, HAL, BEL, ECIL, Innefu Labs

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

Optum, UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic India, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Apollo Hospitals

Critical Infrastructure & Utilities

NTPC, ONGC, Power Grid Corporation of India, Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, Indian Oil (IOCL)

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

Q:   How Does Cyber Security Work?
A:

Cybersecurity works by the integration of different processes mentioned below -

  • Firewalls - Security systems that look after incoming and outgoing network traffic.
  • Encryption - Transforms readable data into an unreadable format for unauthorized elements.
  • Access Control - Implement strong password and authentication systems.
  • Security Information - Provides alerts by system with regard to security.
  • Backup - Regularly backing up data and having recovery options.

These are just the major concepts. Cybersecurity is a lot more vast than these operations.

Q:   What is the average salary of a cyber security professional?
A:

Experience, skills, specializations, company and Industry affect the salary of a cybersecurity professional. The average salary of a cybersecurity professional based on work experience is mentioned below -

0 to 2 years - INR 3.5 - 6 LPA

3 to 7 years -  INR 8 - 20 LPA

8 or more years -  INR 25 LPA and above

Source - Multiple external/official sites, data may vary.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Cybersecurity courses:-

Q:   What are best colleges for BSc Cyber Security Courses?
A:

Some of the most popular colleges for BSc Cyber Security Courses in India are mentioned in the table given below -

CollegesBSc Cyber Security Fees
MIT INR 2.58 LPA
Parul UniversityINR 4.02 LPA
Dr. DY PatilINR 2.79 LPA
LPUINR 7.2 LPA

Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web data may vary.

Q:   Which are the top BTech Cyber Security colleges in India?
A:

Some of the popular colleges offering B.Tech in Cyber Security in India are mentioned in the table below -

CollegesFees structure
Galgotias UniversityINR 6.16 LPA
Chandigarh UniversityINR 6.44 LPA
Chandigarh UniversityINR 13.56 LPA

Source - Multiple external/official sites on the web, data may vary.

Popular Cyber Security UG Courses

Following are the most popular Cyber Security UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Cyber Security PG Courses

Following are the most popular Cyber Security PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 days ago

For MTech in Cyber Security, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) average placement package was INR 9.36 LPA. The median salary package for the same course stood at INR 9.8 LPA. 

R

Rashmi Sinha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The duration of Auckland University of Technology Master of Cyber Security & Digital Forensics is 1.5 years. For admission to this course of AUT University, the students are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Computer and Information Sciences with a B grade average.

  • An IELTS score of 6.5 overall

...Read more

A

Anya Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 weeks ago

The Cyber Security programme at Galgotias University focuses on building both theoretical knowledge and practical industry oriented skills. Students get exposure to areas such as network security ethical hacking digital forensics cryptography cloud security and cyber defence through practical lab se

...Read more

A

Arin Tripathi

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 months ago

Students can complete the full time MDX Dubai MSc Cyber Security and Emerging Threats in 1-year. The tuition fee of this course is AED 76,491 (INR 20 lakh). Along with the basic of Cybersecurity, this course covers strategic and organizational issues. A minimum of 2:2 Honors degree or above in Engin

...Read more

78590064
Akanksha Malhotra

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, Uttaranchal University provides BTech in Cyber Security. It is a four-year course and provided in full-time mode. Students must know that Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects to apply for this course.

M

Manisha Pandey

Contributor-Level 10

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