Increase digital safety, data privacy, responsible online conduct among students, UGC to varsities

The UGC in its letter to vice chancellors and colleges principals has stated that in today's digital era, cyber security has emerged as a matter of paramount importance for safeguarding individuals and institutions alike.

With increasing cases of cyber security and data breach happening, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to heads of colleges and universities to increase awareness and create practices to prevent students and their staff falling into such scams.

The UGC in its letter to vice chancellors and colleges principals has stated that in today's digital era, cyber security has emerged as a matter of paramount importance for safeguarding individuals and institutions alike.

“With the increasing reliance on technology in the teaching-learning ecosystem, it is essential to inculcate awareness and good practices relating to digital safety, data privacy, and responsible online conduct among the academic community,” the UGC letter reads.

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its report on "Cyber Crime- Ramifications, Protection and Prevention", has recommended the introduction of cyber education across non-technical courses in Higher Education Institutions (HEls), focusing on cyber awareness, digital safety, responsible online conduct, and basics of data privacy.

Last year in November, in alignment with these recommendations, UGC came up with a Handbook on Basics of Cyber Hygiene for Higher Education Institutions which provides practical guidance and best practices on cyber awareness, digital safety, responsible on line conduct, and data privacy, which are highly relevant for students, faculty, and non-teaching staff.

The higher education regulatory body has asked varsities and colleges to upload the Handbook on their website, also promote it through the official social media handles. It has also asked institutions to include a compulsory Cyber Security session during orientation programmes, Deeksharambh, based on the contents of the Handbook to increase awareness among students about safe online practices.

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