The MoU between SISA and SRM University is a decisive step toward closing this gap. By bringing academia and industry together, the initiative is designed to provide students with structured learning pathways that combine academic rigor with real-world, hands-on experience. The collaboration was formally launched with the signing of the MoU followed  by the inauguration of a Hackathon Challenge, offering students exposure to evolving cyber threats, compliance requirements, and industry-grade security tools.

Speaking on the occasion, Dharshan Shanthamurthy, Founder and CEO of SISA, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative. “At SISA, we believe that cybersecurity excellence begins with talent development. India’s shortfall of skilled professionals is a challenge that threatens both digital trust and national security. With this MoU, we are not only addressing today’s skill gap but also nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity innovators. Our partnership with SRM University will empower students to co-create frameworks, develop solutions for emerging threats, and gain hands-on exposure to enterprise-grade tools. The impact will extend far beyond classrooms, shaping a stronger, safer global cybersecurity landscape.”

Welcoming the partnership, Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Professor & Chairperson, School of Computing, SRMIST, stressed that cybersecurity talent cannot be built on theory alone. “Cybersecurity is not a subject you can master from textbooks. It requires immersion in real-world scenarios where threats evolve by the minute. To prepare students for this new reality, it is imperative for us as educators to give them structured, hands-on programs that build skills in a host of cybersecurity areas like identity and access management, threat detection, compliance, and cloud security. This discipline demands a proactive, defense-oriented mindset, which can only be cultivated through interactive labs, real-world simulations, and learning directly from on-ground experts. This partnership, I believe, will do exactly that by enabling our students to learn, practice, and innovate in an environment that mirrors real-world challenges,” she added.

By aligning education with industry needs, SISA and SRM University are building a talent pipeline that is future-ready. From technical bootcamps and hackathons to certifications and industry specific case studies, the collaboration is designed to give students the skills and confidence to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges. In doing so, it not only strengthens India’s digital ecosystem but also positions the country as a hub for cybersecurity innovation on the global stage.

About SISA  

SISA is a Leader in Cybersecurity Solutions for the Digital Payment Industry. As a Global Payment Forensic Investigator of the PCI Security Standards Council, we leverage forensics insights into preventive, detective, and corrective security solutions, protecting 1,000+ organizations across 40+ countries from evolving cyberthreats. Our suite of solutions from AI-driven compliance, advanced security testing, agentic detection/ response and learner focused-training has been honoured with prestigious awards, including from Financial Express, DSCI-NASSCOM and The Economic Times. With commitment to innovation, and pioneering advancements in Quantum Security, Hardware Security, and Cybersecurity for AI, SISA is shaping the future of cybersecurity. In the quantum space, we offer Quantum Risk Assessments, QBOMs (Quantum Bill of Materials), and strategic Quantum Briefing Sessions—helping organizations prepare for the next wave of cyber threats through deep forensics intelligence. 

For more information about our solutions and how they can revolutionize cybersecurity for digital payments, visit  www.sisainfosec.com or contact mediaconnect@sisainfosec.com