Cyber security is set to be introduced as a subject in universities and technical colleges in keeping with the recommendations of a task force on National Security System.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all the vice chancellors in this respect, asking them to introduce the subject both at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, sources said.

The task force, set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 to review the working of the national security system, presented its report on May 31 last year.

The task force had made an assessment of the security scenario facing the country before making the recommendations to the government.

Among others, it had suggested that "UGC and AICTE would ensure that cyber security/information security is introduced as a subject in the universities/technical institutions at the under-graduate and post-graduate levels." 

The task force was headed by former Cabinet Secretary Naresh Chandra and included retired government servants, former Armed Forces officers and experts in aspects of national security.

It was mandated to review existing processes, procedures and practices in the national security system and to suggest measures to strengthen the national security apparatus.