Prospects in printing technology

Pervin Malhotra

Q. My maternal grandfather used to run a printing press. Though it is now closed, I’m thinking of pursuing a career in printing technology. What are the future prospects, scope and market for such a course? Will I travel abroad if I pursue this degree? Will it be a good choice even though there is a traditional bias for core engineering streams?— Tarun handa

A. Printing technology has undergone a sea change in recent years with the introduction of computerised high-precision machinery and digital printing.

The wonderful thing is that much of the latest global technology is now easily available in India thanks to the welcome reduction in import duty.

Modern-day printing presses offer state-of-the-art high-speed delivery and international quality. They’re now recruiting bright students who have the technical knowhow, as well as familiarity with software and design concepts to man (or woman) their operations.

Combining art and technology, courses in printing technology combine many branches of engineering covering electrical, electronics, mechanical, computers and management into one.

Printing is a growth industry thanks to the expanding education, library and advertising sectors. India is perhaps the only country with over 50,000 registered publications (and counting). All this translates into job opportunities for fresh and seasoned printing technologists. Since the volume of printed information doubles every five years, one doesn’t need a crystal ball to see that printing does indeed have a good future.

While degree engineers start their career as graduate engineer trainees and move to Asstt Manager, Dy Manager, Manager and finally General Manager.

As elsewhere, advancement in this industry is based on performance. The more skilful you are as a technician or manager, the more responsibility you’ll assume through practice and further training.

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Can women join Territorial Army?

Q. An active member of the NCC in school and college, I now teach in a local school run by my mother. I would love to join the Territorial Army. Are only males allowed into this force? — Kanika bhandary

A. So far, only male candidates were recruited. However, replying to a PIL contesting this restriction, the Delhi High Court has cleared the path for Indian women to be inducted in the TA. 

Henceforth, all medically fit employed Indian citizens as well as ex-service officers aged 18-42 years, who are graduates and employed, are eligible to join the Territorial Army Infantry as Officers — without having to sacrifice their primary professions. Shortlisted applicants have to take a written exam. Successful candidates are interviewed by a selection panel of the Services Selection Board (SSB).

On being commissioned, you’ll undergo nine months of training at the Army’s regimental centres and training establishments like the IMA, Dehra Dun. The first three months of basic training are followed by six months of voluntary training attachment.

Full-time TA personnel have another reason to cheer. Benefits of the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACP) have now been extended to TA personnel as well.

The pay, allowances and other facilities are also on par with the regular wings of the Defence forces throughout the period of embodiment or mobilisation.  TA volunteers, unlike their Army counterparts get full pay and allowances from the day they enrol.

The application form can be obtained from www.indianarmy.nic.in (Free). 

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Relevance of ethical hacking career in India

Q. What is ethical hacking? What is the scope of this field? What are the necessary qualifications to begin in it? Is it worth to think over or irrational in Indian context? — Yash uppal

A. Ethical Hacking and Information Security still remain the hot buzzwords in the IT industry. And not without reason. Over the past decade, the percentage of hacking crimes, data thefts, data losses, viruses and other cybercrimes has increased exponentially. And consequently the demand for competent Information Security professionals — both in India and globally.

Coming back to your question, what distinguishes an ethical hacker from a cracker is that the former is actually paid to identify loopholes and security breaches in an organisation’s network or system. Constructive hacking is legal and ethical/because it is done with the client’s permission.

A security professional must understand how hackers operate in order to ensure security from hacking attacks. The underlying principle being: “To catch a thief, you must think like a thief”.

But all said and done, hacking is a double-edged sword — both parties need to agree that none of the exercises carried out will violate Section 65/66 of the IT Act.

Cyber Crime and Ethical hacking are very specialised fields that require people with excellent analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of web-based technologies etc.

To begin with, you require thorough knowledge of an operating language like C, C++ coupled with an operating system and an assembly language. Make sure you are comfortable with networking, TCP/IP and various other current protocols.

A specific course in the subject would be an asset. Particularly one that focuses on the application of the technologies used to secure computer systems. Core technical modules include the study of computer security architecture, firewalls, user authentication methods and security techniques that are needed across platforms.

The course should also provide sufficient knowledge of other areas i.e. cryptography, biometrics, risk management, intruder detection, hacker techniques, incident handling and recovery, system forensics investigation and the auditing of e-commerce systems and IT infrastructures.

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Is BA economics compatible with CA?

Q. I’m in Class XII and love economics as a subject. Could you tell me if doing BA (Hons) in Economics would be compatible with pursuing a course in Chartered Accountancy?  — Karmila pandey

A.While a degree in Commerce such as BCom is considered more compatible because of the commonality of several subjects in both fields, economics is not exactly ‘incompatible’. In fact, the CA programme also incorporates an understanding of this social science. And for good reason. 

After all, in an increasingly globalised world order with newer business risks stemming from inflation, currency fluctuations, inflation, interest rates, regulatory risks foreign markets and now the WTO, an understanding of the current economic situation is necessary for planning strategy and operations based on forecasts arrived at by researching market factors such as price, demand and sales, labour and productivity, raw materials, equipment etc.

Moreover, economics impacts every aspect of our lives. If you would like to join the Indian Economic Service or be the next Nouriel Roubini (who predicted the last economic slowdown) or our very own Amartya Sen and several other luminaries, pursuing economics could well take you there.