Post Graduate Diploma in Automotive Cybersecurity

Programme Curriculum

Choice of Electives is made available to enrolled students at the beginning of each semester. A limited selection of Electives will be offered at the discretion of the Institute.

 Labs

Training graduates in automotive cybersecurity requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. To provide students with hands-on experience, the following lab infrastructure is made available to the students:

Automotive hardware and software

Students are provided access to actual vehicles and vehicle components, such as engine control units (ECUs), electronic control modules (ECMs), and infotainment systems. They also have access to automotive software, such as automotive operating systems and diagnostic tools.

Cybersecurity testing tools

Students have access to various cybersecurity testing tools, such as network sniffers, penetration testing tools, and vulnerability scanners. These tools are necessary for identifying and testing vulnerabilities in automotive systems.

Simulation environments

Creating simulation environments for automotive cybersecurity is essential for training students in a controlled and safe environment. Simulated environments help students practice and develop their skills in a risk-free environment.

Data acquisition and analysis tools

Students gain access to tools that enable them to collect and analyze data from automotive systems. These tools can help students understand how systems operate, identify patterns and anomalies, and identify potential threats.

Networking infrastructure

A network infrastructure that mimics real-world automotive networks is provided for training students in automotive cybersecurity. Students understand how these networks operate and identify vulnerabilities and threats within them.

Cybersecurity policies and procedures

Training in automotive cybersecurity include knowledge of cybersecurity policies and procedures. Students understand the importance of complying with regulations and standards related to cybersecurity in the automotive industry.

Overall, the lab infrastructure for training graduates in automotive cybersecurity provides students with practical, hands-on experience in a safe and controlled environment. The infrastructure include hardware, software, simulation environments, data storage and analysis tools, networking infrastructure, and policies and procedures.

Eligibility Criteria

Employed professionals holding B.E./ B.Tech./ M.Sc./ Integrated First Degree of BITS or its equivalent with at least 60% aggregate marks, and are employed in an industry relevant to the program.

How to Apply

1.  
2. Once you have logged in, you will see a screen showing 4 essential steps to be completed to apply for the programme of your choice.
3. Begin by clicking on Step 1 - ‘Fill/ Edit and Submit Application Form’. This will enable you to select the programme of your choice. After you have chosen your programme, you will be asked to fill your details in an online form. You must fill all the details and press ‘Submit’ button given at the bottom of the form.
4. Take the next step by clicking on Step 2 - 'Download Application PDF Copy’. This will download a pdf copy of the application form on your computer.
5. Now, click on Step 3 - 'Pay Application Fee’ to pay INR 1,500/- using Netbanking/ Debit Card/ Credit Card.
6. Take a printout of the downloaded Application Form and note down the Application Form Number displayed on the top-right corner of the first page. This Application Form Number should be referred in all future correspondence with BITS Pilani.

7. In the printout of the downloaded Application Form, you will notice on page no. 3 a section called the Employer Consent Form. Complete the Employer Consent Form. This form needs to be signed and stamped by your organisation’s HR or any other authorised signatory of the company.

   Important: In view of work-from-home policies mandated by many organisations, a few candidates may not be able to get the physical forms signed by their HR/ other authorised organisational representative. Such candidates may instead request an email approval to be sent to their official email ID by the HR using the format available through this link.

8. Further on page no. 4 of the printed Application Form is a section called the Mentor Consent Form. The Mentor Consent Form needs to be signed by the Mentor. Click here to know who could be a Mentor.

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   Who is a Mentor:

   Candidates applying to Work Integrated Learning Programmes must choose a Mentor, who will monitor the academic progress of the candidate, and act as an advisor & coach for successful completion of the programme. Candidates should ideally choose the immediate supervisor or another senior person from the same organisation. In case a suitable mentor is not available in the same organisation, a candidate could approach a senior person in another organisation who has the required qualifications. Wherever the proposed Mentor is not from the same employing organization as that of the candidate, a supporting document giving justification for the same should be provided by the candidate’s employer.

   Candidates applying to B.Tech. programmes should choose a Mentor who is an employed professional with B.E./ B.S./ B.Tech./ M.Sc./ A.M.I.E./ Integrated First Degree of BITS or equivalent

   Candidates applying to M.Tech., M.Sc., MBA, M.Phil programme should choose a Mentor who is an employedprofessional with:

   • B.E. / M.Sc. / M.B.A. / M.C.A. / M.B.B.S. etc. and with a minimum of five years of relevant work experience

   • M.E./ M.S./ M.Tech./ M.Phil./ M.D./ Higher Degree of BITS or equivalent

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   Important: In view of work-from-home policies mandated by many organisations, a few candidates may not be able to get the physical forms signed by their Mentor. Such candidates may instead request an email approval to be sent to their official email ID by the Mentor using the format available through this link.

9. Further on page no. 5 of the downloaded Application Form, is a Checklist of Enclosures/ Attachments.
10. Make photocopies of the documents mentioned in this Checklist.
11. Applicants are required to self-attest all academic mark sheets and certificates.
12. Finally, click on Step 4 - 'Upload & Submit All Required Documents’. This will allow you to upload one-by-one the printed Application Form, Mentor Consent Form, Employer Consent Form, and all mandatory supporting documents and complete the application process. Acceptable file formats for uploading these documents are DOC, DOCX, PDF, ZIP and JPEG.
13. Upon receipt of your Application Form and all other enclosures, the Admissions Cell will scrutinise them for completeness, accuracy and eligibility.
14. Admission Cell will intimate selected candidates by email within two weeks of submission of application with all supporting documents. The selection status can also be checked by logging in to the Online Application Centre.

FAQs

1. For whom this programme is designed for?

Meant for engineering graduates with or without industry experience aspiring to venture into the niche domain of cybersecurity.

2. What certification do I receive at the end of the programme?

Post Graduate Diploma in Automotive Cybersecurity from BITS Pilani one of the institutes recognized as Institution of Eminence by the MoE.

3. Will I become an alumni of BITS Pilani upon completion of this programme?

Yes, you will join the proud alumni network of BITS Pilani and you can participate in all the relevant events organized by the BITSAA.

4. How is this programme different from others?

This program is designed for engineering graduates who do not have any prior working experience in cybersecurity or automotive engineering. The program prepares the engineers for a career in the niche domain of automotive cybersecurity from basics. Thus, it is not a short term training/ skill development program but a comprehensive formal post graduate diploma program.

5. What is the weekly time commitment expected?

On an average a student is expected to spend around 25-30 hours per week.

6. How will my doubts/questions be resolved in this programme?

Students can interact with their respective faculty during the periodic contact sessions. In addition to this students can reach out to the faculty and teaching assistants using discussion forums and chats.

7. Is there any minimum qualification required to apply for this programme?

A student aspiring to enroll for the program should have a valid engineering degree.

8. Will I get a job after this programme?

Cybersecurity in general and automotive cybersecurity in particular is a rapidly emerging area with significant skill gaps. Organizations are keen to recruit people who have adequate knowledge in cybersecurity. This program has been designed in collaboration with such organizations to bridge this skill gap. Telangana Mobility Valley as a part of the larger initiative is promoting this program. Considering the above it can be said with fair confidence that students will secure placement on successful completion of the program. The institute will also organize periodic engagements with prospective industries to showcase the student talents.

9. What if I don't have any prior knowledge in automotive technology -

Such students need to undertake a special course namely Automotive Vehicles. The digital content will be shared by the institute and it will be a self learnt course. There will not be any assessment/ grading for this