“Vertical Integration within the Domain of Cyber Security is Our USP” Says Kaushik Ray

The term cybersecurity reminds one of the terms such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, threat management gateways, and antivirus software. Irrespective of the advancements these tools will remain relevant as generic security requirements. But then there is a growing trend of transforming from horizontally integrated tools to a vertically integrated cybersecurity ecosystem. Be it Cloud, IoT, or Blockchain cybersecurity is evolving as an integrating element to achieve cyber resilience all through the digital system. WhizHack Technologies, India's only vertically integrated cybersecurity firm is one of the prominent cybersecurity providers and a leader in manpower training. Analytics Insight has engaged in an exclusive interview with Kaushik Ray, COO, WhizHack Technologies.

1.Tell us how Whizhack is contributing to the Data Analytics/Cloud Computing/Cyber Security industry of the nation

Cyber security is our domain. We believe we are India's first integrated Cyber Security outfit aiming to provide holistic Cyber Security solutions. Whizhack is hinged on three pillars- Product development, Services and manpower training. We have made substantial progress with all three departments. In terms of products, we have introduced products such as TRACE based on cyber deception. TRACE is a highly scalable Cyber-Deception software (patent pending), which uses sensors in the private and public networks running in a hybrid environment to detect threats in an organization's environment. It has been designed to capture and analyze live and real attacks on any enterprise. Zero Hack XDR – an adaptable, multi-layer security system that uses signature, machine learning & deep learning algorithms to effectively predict and mitigate zero-day hacks. Presently it can detect more than 21 classes of Zero Day attacks. As for services we are currently working with the Indian Defence and Power sector in the OT space and have clients such as Indian Defence, TechM, and ITC from the IT sector as well. Some of our products have been successfully deployed and we are taking care of their maintenance and management. Training is one of our fast-growing offerings. WhizHack has forged knowledge partnerships with IITs, and domain experts from Israel, and the United States. This is in line with our mission to provide excellence and capacity building for future cyber defenders. We have developed in-depth and focused modules for different groups of learners and all our courses come with legit certifications and live lab experience.

2.What is the biggest USP that differentiates Whizhack from competitors?

We can only speak for ourselves; I am sure the industry is churning out some great work — technological advancement and breakthroughs. While we have also made substantial investments in product development, our key focus is vertical integration. We believe it is the need of the hour. Perhaps, vertical integration within the domain of Cyber Security is what sets us apart. We have three broad departments – Products, Services, and Training which enables us to come up with a 360 degree foolproof solution. This is the only approach to ensure an end-to-end solution, and any one aspect taking a hit will put the scales off balance.

3.Please brief us about the training programs you provide to learners and how they get value out of it.

We have tailored courses for various age groups and backgrounds. One important thing that one needs to consider is that an engineering degree is not a prerequisite to learn Cyber security. We rather need lateral thinking and a little more creative bent of mind. All our courses come with the backing of solid knowledge partners- IIT Jodhpur, NPTI, and Israeli Experts and course certifications are also recognized by the industry. There is a live hands-on learning approach that is mandated in our courses. This is not a domain where a bookish classroom curriculum helps.

Whizhack Technologies has launched India's first Teenager Program on Cyber Defense – WhizTeens at affordable rates. This program makes kids aware of Cybercrimes and educates them to combat the attacks in the online realm. It also paves a career pathway in Cyber Security – one of the highest-paying industries with a 0% unemployment rate. WhizHack has setup a Center of Excellence in Cyber Security at IIT Jodhpur and the children who have done the teenager's program can avail of advanced courses afterward as they move forward with their education.

Whizteens program consists of three levels; Ninja, Samurai and Guru. A combo of all three can also be availed. Whizhack gives learners access to a real community of ethical hackers through apps. This allows them access to exclusive mentors who can guide them for future careers in cyber defense.

A very important point to emphasize is that you do not need prior knowledge of coding or any other specialized experience for teenagers' programs. Anyone can learn. Children can avail live classes with Cyber Defense experts and get hands-on practice on the latest techniques through personalized Virtual Labs. There will be an end-of-course assessment with Certification from WhizHack- Centre of Excellence at IIT Jodhpur TISC (Technology Innovation and Start-up Centre).

IIT Jodhpur TISC Dual Certification Program on Cyber Defense which is powered by WhizHack Technologies and ThriveDX, Israel. IITJ TISC Bootcamp covers hands-on and practical skills necessary for Bootcampers to land high-paying careers in cyber security, one of the world's fastest-growing industries. The Bootcamp, supported by ThriveDX and WhizHack is an accelerated cyber security training program designed to successfully prepare people with little or no background in IT for entry-level jobs in cybersecurity, a highly in-demand and lucrative career path. The Bootcamp is delivered in a blended format with both on-campus learning and online self-paced activities.

We have a specialized dual-mode Cyber Security Course for Electrical and Power Grid Professionals in association with National Power Training Institute (NPTI). This course will equip the Power Professionals with the necessary inputs on network & application security to create mechanisms for security threat early warning, vulnerability management, and response to security threats. After this course, students will be able to understand concepts of Cyber Security and its uses in Network & Application Security. We also have a University Partnership Program which is a boot camp in advanced cyber security. The course is a blend of the latest cyber security concepts and Cloud hosted labs integrated with the top industry tools which impart specialization. Doing this course, one can start as a beginner Cyber Analyst.

4.Do you also feel that the right kind of talent in Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking is a challenge in the industry?

According to NASSCOM, the rising incidents of cyberattacks along with data protection and privacy laws are estimated to lead to a USD 35 billion revenue opportunity and job opportunities for millions of Indian professionals by the year 2025. Cybersecurity would account for about 10% of the revenue generated by India's IT sector in the same year. If these numbers tell us anything then we brace ourselves for a huge boom in the job market. But the question remains if we are 100 % ready. No, we are not.  It is a very dynamic field and stale classroom curriculums will not help us in churning out trained professionals. We need to build a community of ethical hackers and a cyber security culture, if we are to counter such attacks. Cyber security is a very dynamic and ever-evolving field, a classroom degree is just not enough to build a successful career. It is more like an artist's job, best learned early on as a hobby. It is imperative to start young to acquire the mindset required for this and to cultivate lateral intelligence. We have a range of offerings as far as training is concerned and all these courses come with real-time hands-on lab experience and prestigious certifications to veer one's trajectory in the right direction.

Luckily education is digitized today and parents do not have to send their children away to Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore for such courses. Sitting in Allahabad, Raipur or Bhopal kids can hone cyber security skills to embark on a successful career in the future. While starting young is the key, families do not need to split and incur the additional cost of living expenses on account of their children. Jobs are booming in the cyber security sector; your child just needs to be market ready.

5.How are your training programs contributing to the growth and transformation of cyber security education?

Cyber security training in itself has a certain niche of its own. People have preconceived notions, I believe we are demystifying the field to a certain extent and trying to help people understand what it entails, the prospects, and the predispositions. Apart from that, we have forged very strong strategic partnerships with credible academic institutions and experts to give our courses the required edge and recognition, making them more mainstream. Within the domain also we are identifying different areas of specialization and focussing on that. For example, Cyber Security for OT is very different from IT. We are developing courses and modules to address these niches.

6.What would you advise to aspiring candidates who wish to take up Cyber Security as a profession?

The only blanket advice that I can give is to start young and be at it. This profession is almost like a doctor's job, it's constantly evolving so the learning should never stop. If one has a degree or a diploma in cyber security, it's imperative to top it up with the latest trends and fresh knowledge after a couple of years with something more niche like security specialization for Blockchain, Fintech, and Cyber-Physical Systems for something more sector-specific. We are more aware of hacking in IT systems and IT-led sectors like Banking or Insurance but hacking in OT is far more complex and critical. So, a course that helps in understanding more niche and complex industries will always help in growth. Another important aspect of this profession is to be connected with a community of Ethical Hackers. Meet, share, learn, and discuss, that is the only way to grow. At Whizhack we have laid the foundations for building such communities, creating a knowledge-sharing space, making various resources available, conducting knowledge sessions, and keeping the community connected and always thriving. As a Whizhack alumni member one should never hit a stalemate in their career track.