He Once Shook the CBSE System; Now He Will Lead Cybersecurity Efforts at IIT Kanpur
Nisarg Adhikari, the 19-year-old who made headlines by exposing security vulnerabilities in CBSE’s online marking system, has secured a job as an OSINT and Threat Intelligence Engineer at IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub.
Nisarg Adhikari, who carved a niche for himself in the cybersecurity world at the age of just 19, has taken on a significant responsibility at IIT Kanpur. Having recently garnered attention for revealing security flaws in CBSE’s Online Marking System (OSM), he has been appointed as an OSINT and Threat Intelligence Engineer at IIT Kanpur’s Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense of Critical Infrastructure Hub (C3iHub).
At IIT Kanpur, Nisarg’s role will focus on Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and cyber threat intelligence. His work will involve analyzing digital platforms and publicly available information, identifying potential cyber threats, and uncovering security vulnerabilities. Additionally, he will contribute to research initiatives related to ethical hacking and cybersecurity.
Nisarg noted that this is his first full-time position dedicated entirely to the field of cybersecurity. While he had previously worked in software engineering, cybersecurity had always been a subject of personal interest and passion for him.
IIT Kanpur Director Personally Reached Out
According to Nisarg, Professor Manindra Agrawal, the Director of IIT Kanpur, personally contacted him. During their conversation, he learned in detail about the cybersecurity and research activities underway at the institute, which motivated him to accept the role. Nisarg said, “When IIT Kanpur Director Professor Manindra Agrawal offered me this opportunity, our conversation was truly inspiring. I had the chance to gain a close understanding of the cybersecurity work being done at the institute, which further fueled my interest in this role.”
Cybersecurity Journey Began at Age 13
Nisarg has had an interest in technology and computers since childhood. He mentioned that he began learning about cybersecurity around the age of 13, driven purely by curiosity. Over time, this interest evolved into a career goal.
Gained Attention by Exposing Flaws in the CBSE Portal
Nisarg recently garnered national attention when he highlighted security vulnerabilities within the CBSE’s Online Marking System (OSM). His report sparked a fresh debate regarding cybersecurity and the safety of digital platforms. However, Nisarg’s objective was not to harm the system, but rather to identify security flaws and assist in rectifying them—a practice considered the fundamental principle of ethical hacking.
Praised by IIT Kanpur
Commenting on Nisarg’s appointment, Professor Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, noted that he has demonstrated remarkable technical aptitude at a young age. According to him, Nisarg shows great potential, and working at IIT Kanpur will provide him with the opportunity to further hone his talents. Additionally, he will be able to make significant contributions to C3iHub’s initiatives in cybersecurity and threat intelligence.