Kolkata, Feb 19 (IANS): Presidency University is coming up with a specialised course in cyber security at its new campus, which will start functioning in the next academic year, the vice chancellor said, here on Monday.

"We have planned a broad course in informatics, which offers specialisation in cyber security and data analysis. The complete programme is yet to be designed and the hiring of faculty is on," Anuradha Lohia, VC said, after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the campus at Rajarhat on the north eastern fringes of the city.

"Cyber crime is big now-a-days. It is bigger than the general crime. A single post can be responsible for dire consequences. You have thought of training students in cyber crime. Not just for students, but this initiative will also open new avenues for people who deal with civil and criminal cases," she said.

The CM announced her government's plan of setting up a 'Centre of Excellence for Cyber crime' under the Information Technology department.

"It is in the process, as information technology is very important. If the data that reaches all our houses is used judiciously, it can bear good results," she said.

Banerjee said the government has provided land (whose market value is around Rs 300 crore) free to the university.