An institute for training network and information-security talent has been established at Xidian University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, to bolster national security.

Chen Zhiya, Party secretary of Xidian University, said the institute, established on Dec 31, would focus on network and information security, which are key components of national security.

"The institute has two State-level professionals in information security and network engineering, and information-security disciplines for training doctoral and master's degree students," Chen said.

"We will train leading talent - engineering and technical personnel - in the field of network and information security to meet our country's strategic need to safeguard the development," he said.

The institute will enroll its first students in the summer, he said.

Xidian University is an important training base for cryptography and information-security research.

In recent years, attacks by hackers have targeted industrial control systems and various information service systems. Cases of online theft and fraud have increased sharply, causing serious harm to the interests of the State, business enterprises and citizens at all levels.

At present, more than 50 countries have devised a network security strategy. China also established its central network security and information technology group in February, with President Xi Jinping as its head, in order to respond to the challenges in the field of network and information security.