GMR Aero Academy, the training arm of GMR Group specializing in aviation and security, has officially launched the National Cyber Security Scholar Program on August 21 to bolster India’s cybersecurity defenses amid escalating threats to critical infrastructure and defense sectors. This 18-week, 160-hour instructor-led initiative, developed under the National Security Database platform in partnership with CERT-In and the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre, focuses on equipping emerging leaders with skills in threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessment, ethical hacking, cyber forensics, malware analysis, and AI-driven defenses through hands-on simulations and real-world scenarios like war games. Graduates are recognized as national assets, contributing to resilience in key areas. ISAC Advisor Group Captain Aanand Naidu emphasized shaping professionals to safeguard critical sectors, while Telangana State Council of Higher Education Chairman V. Balakista Reddy encouraged extending expertise for national capacity-building, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in cybersecurity.