Manipal, March 17: The Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), successfully concluded the Advanced Bootcamp on Controlled Penetration Testing, a five-day intensive programme that marked the final phase of the NCIIPC–AICTE Pentathon 2026, a national cybersecurity competition.
Hosted at the School of Computer Engineering, MIT Manipal, in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security, MAHE, the bootcamp represented the most advanced stage of Pentathon 2026. The flagship initiative is jointly organised by the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Pentathon 2026 was conducted through multiple competitive phases and witnessed widespread participation from aspiring cybersecurity professionals across the country. The first phase featured a jeopardy-style online Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge, attracting thousands of students from institutions nationwide. The competition aimed to identify emerging talent in ethical hacking and penetration testing.
Following several rounds of evaluation, more than 200 top-performing finalists advanced to the Grand Finale (Stage II), where participants tackled fictionalised enterprise-grade cyberattack scenarios modelled on real-world threats to critical information infrastructure.
Advanced Technical Training
Held from 16–20 February 2026 at MIT Manipal, the advanced bootcamp provided finalists with an immersive, expert-led training experience designed to strengthen practical cybersecurity capabilities.
The curriculum, curated by leading cybersecurity professionals and industry trainers, covered key areas including:
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Cloud Security
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Malware Analysis and Incident Response
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Cryptography
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Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) Foundations
The programme also featured hands-on cyber laboratory simulations and a capstone challenge.
Leveraging MIT Manipal’s advanced technological infrastructure, participants engaged in cyber-range simulations replicating enterprise-scale digital environments, enabling them to identify vulnerabilities and respond to cyber incidents in realistic scenarios.
Participants appreciated the programme’s structured curriculum, expert mentorship, and collaborative learning environment, which also fostered peer engagement among students from institutions across India.
Collaborative National Initiative
Pentathon 2026 represents a collaborative effort involving government, academia, and industry stakeholders aimed at strengthening India’s cybersecurity preparedness and developing a skilled cyber workforce.
The bootcamp’s closing ceremony was attended by senior officials from NCIIPC, advisors and directors from AICTE, and senior leadership from MAHE, including:
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Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor
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Dr. Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor – Technology & Science
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Dr. Anil Rana, Director, MIT Manipal
Their presence underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening India’s cyber defence ecosystem and protecting critical information infrastructure.
