Barracuda Networks, a California-based cybersecurity firm, has opened Cybersecurity Centres of Excellence (COEs) at five engineering colleges in Karnataka.

The five COEs are located at Basaveshwar Engineering College, Bagalkot, BLDEA’s Dr. P.G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology, Vijayapura, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkuru, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, and Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology, Moodbidri.

Through the centres, Barracuda is planning to deliver industry-led technical sessions and workshops, hands-on cybersecurity labs, student mentoring and career guidance, exposure to real-world security challenges, internships and sponsorships, and collaboration with cybersecurity practitioners.

The company said the centres would connect industry with students in second- and third-tier cities and towns, and to serve as local hubs for cybersecurity awareness among faculty, institutions, businesses and communities.

“Building a resilient digital future requires collaboration between industry, academia, government, educators and students,’’ said Rohit Aradhya, Vice President of Engineering and Managing Director, Barracuda Networks, India.

According to the firm, the initiative comes amid India’s rapid digital transformation, which has expanded cybersecurity risks for organisations of all sizes, including small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, hospitals, retailers and financial organisations. Many of these face constraints in cybersecurity expertise, skilled resources and security maturity.

India continues to experience a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with an estimated 39,000 positions unfilled in 2026, according to a recent report.