VTU to teach first-year engineering students about ethical hacking

The engineering students in the state will soon have a ‘special class’ on ethical hacking.

The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has decided to educate first-year engineering students from the current academic year about ethical hacking and also the effects of unethical hacking.

As explained by officials of the university, this topic will be covered during the induction programme for the first-year students, to be held for a month before the formal classes.

Following recent developments in the field of hacking, the university has decided to educate students about the importance of ethical hacking when they enter the campus. Colleges will get a communication in this regard soon.

Prof Karisiddappa, vice-chancellor of VTU, told DH, “Knowing the importance of hacking and also the effects of unethical hacking on the society and on one’s personal and professional life is very important.”

Karisiddappa said, “If these youngsters use their talent properly and ethically, they will emerge as the best software engineers in the world.”

“We have decided to dedicate a few hours of the induction programme to educate students on ethical hacking. Though there is an introduction to hacking to computer science students, other students have no knowledge about it,” said a VTU official.

Colleges and experts have welcomed the move. Prof Sadashivegowda, principal, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, said, “This knowledge helps engineering students understand what is ethical/unethical hacking.”

“Not knowing what is unethical, students might get into unethical hacking and end up facing legal consequences. Preventing unethical hackers from getting a hold of important information is important. This is possible only when students are suitably trained,” he added.

Some academicians feel ethical hacking should be a part of the curriculum.

Prof K Mallikarjun Babu, director and head of AMC group of institutions, Bengaluru, said, “It is very important to educate students on ethical hacking. Currently, they are learning this only in the computer science branch and that is too limited. This subject is being introduced as part of the syllabus with a practical approach, for all branches.”

Currently, some autonomous colleges are conducting workshops and organising competitions in ethical hacking where students are trained using college servers.

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