Joint Training on Cyber Security by Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) : ‘Train the Trainers’ Workshop for Teachers of Indian Air Force Schools

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In pursuance of one of its tasks of Information Security and creating awareness of the threats and vulnerabilities of operating in the virtual world, particularly amongst the children, VIF and TCS (ignite) entered into an agreement to conduct specially formulated training starting with the children from the Army, Navy and Air Force Schools on ‘No Cost’ basis.

While TCS would provide the Faculty, VIF was to jointly design the curricula with TCS and the Users. These would be tailor made for each course, depending on the aim of training, any specific requirement projected by the user, threshold of the trainees, duration of training and so on. VIF was also to be a single point contact to the prospective users, be a facilitator and pilot the idea and necessity of such training with the respective Service Headquarters. VIF was also to assist in ‘Technical Logistics’ particularly the availability of appropriate laboratories, equipment and connectivity.

The Air Force was the first to cash on the idea and use this facility. While the approvals came from the Vice Chief of Air Staff, the Air Headquarters appointed the Director Education as the contact person. VIF was represented by Lt Gen Davinder Kumar. In order to have a wider reach and impact; it was debated and finalised that the first course should be for the Information Technology (IT) Teachers of the Air Force Schools. Accordingly, a five days residential workshop was planned and christened ‘Train the Trainers’. The Air Force requested for 40 vacancies!

The challenges were many. The biggest being the formulation of Course Curriculum for students who were teaching the subject and were familiar with the latest. This was done jointly by VIF and TCS over a number of interactions and exchanges. The VIF then processed the approval process with the Air Headquarters and this included finalisation of venue by the Air Force and the dates of the proposed workshop.

Air Force School, Hebbal, Bangalore, was chosen as the venue for this Workshop and the training was to be conducted from 27 November to 01 December, 2017. The training was conducted in the most professional manner and consisted of lectures, ‘hands on’ training and own time assignments. A total of 34 students including nine Post Graduate Teachers and 25 Trained Graduate Teachers, teaching IT, from all over India attended. This is what the Air Force has to say regarding the Training, “This Workshop on Cyber Security has enriched the knowledge about the virtual world; understand the need of being secured in the same. Being the computer teachers to the tech-savvy generation children; the workshop has taught the teachers as to how to educate the children, the ethics and protocols to be followed while using the Internet and guide them about the security, counter measures and safe browsing practices”.
The Workshop concluded by the presentation of memento to the resource person, Dr Usha Rani of TCS (ignite) and Certificates to the participants. All the teachers who attended the workshop thanked the management of Air Force schools for organizing such an event and giving an opportunity to be a part of the event.