In today's digital age, the internet is an integral part of students' lives, providing vast opportunities for learning and connectivity. However, with these opportunities come significant risks, including the threat of cybercrime. Raising awareness about cybercrime in schools is crucial to ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely.
By educating young minds on the dangers and preventive measures of cyber threats, schools can foster a safer and more informed digital environment. Arun Rao, Chief People Officer, Birlasoft (the e-Vidya skilling program ) spoke to indiatoday.in and discussed why raising cybercrime awareness in schools is important.
How can cybersecurity education be integrated into school curricula effectively without overwhelming students?
Given the integral role of technology in education, equipping students with cybersecurity knowledge is crucial. Cybersecurity can be integrated through age-appropriate, interactive lessons within existing subjects to avoid overwhelming them. Key concepts such as creating robust passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and protecting digital identities can be introduced gradually.
Topics like privacy, cyberbullying, and identity theft should be simplified and taught through engaging activities. Additionally, there should be open discussions around the topics of Cyber stalking, and teachers should also be provided adequate training to identify a change in behaviour of the students and guide them accordingly.
Initiatives like Birlasoft's Cyber Safe Program can inspire curiosity and safe exploration of cybersecurity topics. Schools play a pivotal role in empowering students to navigate the digital world safely, helping them recognize and respond to online threats effectively. By instilling cybersecurity education early on, we can also address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, nurturing the next generation of skilled experts.
From your perspective, what role should parents, educators, and policymakers play in fostering a cyber-safe environment in schools?
Parents, educators, and policymakers must work cohesively to encourage a cyber-safe environment in schools. Parents should educate themselves about cyber threats, supervise their children's online activities, and model safe online behavior. Educators need to integrate cybersecurity into the curriculum, receive regular training, and use interactive teaching methods to engage students. Policymakers must develop and update cybersecurity education policies, allocate resources, and run public awareness campaigns. By collaborating, they can protect students from online threats and empower them to navigate the digital world safely.
What motivated Birlasoft to initiate the e-Vidya skilling program? What kind of curriculum and training modules are provided in the Program to ensure that the beneficiaries are job-ready?
We believe that bridging the digital gender gap could empower women with better opportunities for jobs, skills, and learning, leading to a renaissance in their participation in various sectors.
One of Birlasoft's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives - e-Vidya promotes digital literacy amongst women from the underprivileged sections of the society.
e-Vidya skilling program is meticulously crafted with a comprehensive curriculum and training modules to prepare young girls and women for the job market. This cohort of the program targets final semester students in B-Tech, BCA, BSC programs, and unemployed women from underserved communities, providing them with future ready skills for employment.
The curriculum covers in-demand skills like Java, Data Analytics, and Python Programming, alongside soft skills training to bridge the existing skill gap in the IT/ITES industry.
The training spans 180 hours, combining offline and online methods and the students undergo regular assessments to track progress. The program also includes a three-phase interview preparation strategy covering readiness, machine tests, and logical and reasoning tests practice. Additionally, soft skills training and pre-placement workshops are conducted to enhance confidence. Through the program implemented by nasscom foundation in 2023-24, over 170 students have been trained and certified and 50% have secured employment opportunities. Birlasoft ensures to routinely update the e-Vidya skilling program to ensure that beneficiaries get the most relevant and useful interventions.
Please share some insights on the Cyber Safety Awareness Program in collaboration with Nasscom foundation?
The Cyber Safe Program, initiated as a pilot project in select schools across the Delhi NCR region, aimed to improve cybersecurity awareness amongst key stakeholders in the educational ecosystem including students, teachers, and parents. The Cyber Safe program raised awareness about cybersecurity threats, including cyberbullying, by imparting 6000+ hours of cumulative training, reaching over 1,800 students, and 500+ parents and teachers.
The initiative, in collaboration with nasscom foundation, has equipped the students, teachers, and parents with cybersecurity training and the requisite knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape securely. By doing so, the program sought to lay the groundwork for broader implementation of cybersecurity education across primary and secondary schools in India. This effort was envisioned to serve as a blueprint for future endeavors in the field.
What strategies and initiatives has Birlasoft implemented to address gender disparity in the technology sector?
Diversity and inclusion are core pillars of our organisational ethos at Birlasoft. Our recent campus hires embody this dedication, with more than 90 percent candidates from diverse backgrounds, significantly enhancing our overall diversity profile. To reinforce this commitment, Birlasoft has implemented various initiatives such as promoting internal referrals for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, we are actively conducting dedicated diversity hiring campaigns and collaborating with diversity-focused media platforms such as Herkey to augment our efforts.
What are the long-term goals and vision for Birlasoft's CSR initiatives, particularly in the areas of education and cyber safety?
Birlasoft remains steadfast in its commitment to women and child development, embracing education from a holistic standpoint. We recognize the significance of practical learning, soft skill development and hands-on training, ensuring that our projects are intricately tailored to emphasize these aspects. Going beyond financial assistance, we actively facilitate interactions between the beneficiaries and our team at Birlasoft, encouraging continuous project assessment and guidance from the leadership.
In today's world, cybersecurity stands as a paramount concern. Birlasoft aims to broaden the reach of the Cyber Safe program, extending its benefits to a wider audience of beneficiaries. As part of this initiative, we intend to enrich our project framework by offering specialized courses in cybersecurity and information security for scholars. Through these endeavours, we strive to create a safer digital environment for all.
How do you think the IT industry can address unconscious bias in recruitment and retention to create a more inclusive environment?
To address unconscious bias, the IT industry needs a multifaceted approach encompassing recruitment, promotion, and decision-making processes. Blind recruitment/ Anonymised recruitment practices, which withhold personal information such as name, gender, and ethnicity from hiring managers, can help promote merit-based selection. Additionally, diverse hiring panels and mentorship programs can offer underrepresented groups better opportunities to thrive within organizations. Nurturing environments where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to share their unique perspectives is essential in tackling unconscious bias.
