The Student Cyber Security Training Program was conducted on 5th February 2026 at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University as part of the ongoing capacity-building initiatives under the CAWACH Kendra, jointly supported by the Education Department, Government of Gujarat, and UNICEF. The programme brought together approximately 70 students from various government colleges across the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, creating a diverse and engaged learning cohort.

Inaugural Session:

The programme commenced with registration and breakfast, followed by the inaugural session. Dr. Dilip Barad, Head, Department of English, MKBU and Nodal Officer, CAWACH Kendra, MKBU, formally welcomed the participants and introduced the objectives of the CAWACH initiative, emphasizing its role in promoting cyber awareness, ethical digital behaviour, and institutional preparedness. A presentation highlighting the activities of the Cyber Club, MKBU was delivered by Ms. Rutvi Pal, Student Volunteer, Cyber Club, MKBU, showcasing student-led engagement in cyber awareness initiatives.

The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Bhavesh Jani, I/C Registrar, MKBU, who underscored the importance of cyber literacy for students in an increasingly digitized academic and social environment. The keynote address by Muhammed Afsal K K, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF, provided a strong contextual framework by linking cybersecurity concerns with child and youth protection in digital spaces. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Khushi Goswami, Student Volunteer, Cyber Club, MKBU.

Core Training Sessions:

The first technical session, “Looking Back to Move Forward – Core Digital Safety Foundations,” focused on reinforcing foundational concepts rather than re-teaching them. Participants revisited digital citizenship, ethical online conduct, and common cyber threats such as phishing, job and internship scams, scholarship frauds, cyberbullying, and harassment. Emphasis was placed on cyber hygiene practices including strong passwords, two-factor authentication, device security, app permissions, and maintaining a balance between healthy and unhealthy digital behaviours. The session highlighted areas where cyber risks have intensified and addressed common uncertainties faced by students in real-life digital situations.

The second session, “When Something Goes Wrong – Introductory Digital Forensics & Incident Response,” introduced students to the basics of digital forensics through a hands-on, non-technical approach. Drawing from real-life examples, participants learned what qualifies as digital evidence and the importance of screenshots, metadata, logs, and activity timelines. The session strongly emphasized avoiding common mistakes such as deleting evidence, confronting suspects directly, or delaying reporting. Students were trained to view themselves as first-level responders who preserve evidence responsibly and escalate issues through appropriate channels rather than attempting investigation on their own.

Misinformation, Data Breaches, and Policy Awareness:

The post-break session on “Manipulated Realities – Misinformation, Deepfakes & Influence Tactics” explored how disinformation campaigns are designed and amplified. Participants examined the role of algorithms, virality, emotional triggers, deepfakes, and AI-generated media in shaping online narratives. Special attention was given to gendered harassment, political misinformation, and AI voice scams. Through guided analysis, students were trained to critically evaluate content without panic, shaming, or overcorrection, particularly in youth-facing contexts.

In the subsequent session, “What Happens After a Breach – Dark Web, Leaked Data & Stolen Information,” students were introduced to the lifecycle of leaked data. The discussion moved beyond simplistic warnings and explained how stolen credentials from student portals, exam databases, or placement systems are packaged, circulated, resold, and reused over long periods. The session clarified misconceptions about the dark web, emphasizing that it is not inherently criminal but becomes harmful when anonymity enables illegal activity. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how old data breaches continue to pose risks years later.

Institutional Responsibility and Applied Learning:

The session titled “From Individual Safety to Institutional Responsibility – Law, Policy & Preparedness” introduced students to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, with a focus on student-relevant provisions. The distinction between individual responsibility and institutional accountability was clearly articulated, including the roles of data principals and data fiduciaries. Students were also introduced to the concept of Cyber Crisis Management Plans (CCMP), understanding triggers, escalation pathways, and system-level preparedness.

The programme concluded with a synthesis activity where participants collaboratively drafted a student-friendly Cyber Safety and Incident Response Policy. The activity required students to integrate learnings from the day into practical guidelines covering cyber hygiene expectations, reporting mechanisms, data privacy principles, and social media conduct. The emphasis remained on usability and ethical clarity rather than legal complexity.

Conclusion and Way Forward:

During the concluding session the participants were felicitated with a certificate for their active engagement. The closing reflection session which followed the certificate distribution, encouraged participants to view themselves not merely as informed users but as responsible intermediaries and referral points within their institutions. The training successfully transitioned students from awareness-building to informed support roles, reinforcing ethical boundaries, responsibility, and community-oriented cyber engagement. Participants were introduced to post-training engagement opportunities under the CAWACH Kendra, strengthening the network of trained student volunteers across the region. 

Overall, the Student Cyber Security Training Program served as a comprehensive capacity-building initiative, combining conceptual clarity, practical response strategies, and policy awareness. The programme significantly contributed to strengthening cyber resilience among students from Saurashtra and Kutch, aligning closely with the broader objectives of the CAWACH Kendra and UNICEF’s youth protection framework.