Cyber security worries

Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran recently said that at least 1,400 attacks occurred on Indian websites during the first half of this year and those with 'co.in' and 'gov.in' extensions were particularly targeted. Forty-five per cent of the assaults were made by hackers from within the country while 55 per cent from outsiders. The government acts like a helpless victim of crime while the perpetrators kept surfing for more easy targets.

India doesn't have a definite record of cyber criminals. It might have an idea of the various cyber crimes though. Recently UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav used the IT Act to curb online chatting by students in cyber cafes. Such a blanket ban inconveniences college-going girls and boys who use cyber cafes for productive activities like searching and applying for jobs as well. The young folks are also invariably harassed by the foul-mouthed police who take upon themselves the task of moral policing.

Except data thefts and minor threats, India has not witnessed any major cyber crime so far. One can at least safely say that no major crime has been detected so far. This could change if the government sets up the Cyber Regulation Appellate Tribunals that has been provided for under the IT Act enacted in 2000.

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have set up tribunals while Maharashtra has a Cyber Crimes Cell on the lines of the Crimes Against Women Department in Delhi. Ironically, though Mumbai and Delhi have suffered terrorist attacks for years, the Centre hasn't shown any urgency in setting up these tribunals that must be manned by specially trained judges.

With the spectacular growth India is achieving in the IT sector, it is imperative to have IT security-related agencies and forums like in the US and the UK.