The Central government is setting up a National Cyber Investigation Agency to prevent, probe and crack cyber crime cases, whose numbers have been mounting with India's continued digital push.
These cases include child pornography, cyber-terrorism and breach of protected systems. According to a study, India is ranked the fifth most vulnerable country when it comes to cyber attacks but cases of data breach remain underreported with the legal mechanism being limited to deal with the situation.Turn to P4
The pan-India federal body will be formed on the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that combats terror in the country.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) says that India recorded 9,622, 11,592 and 12,317 cases of cyber crime in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, but expert say the actual number is much higher.
The new agency will take the lead in threat and asset response, besides intelligence support.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a recent meeting of state police chiefs, directed all states to revamp their cyber units so that crimes can be dealt with in a coordinated and cohesive manner.
The federal body will comprise trained cyber squads to protect computer intrusions, theft of intellectual property and personal information, child pornography and exploitation, and online fraud. It will gather intelligence and track online terror activities.
The idea of setting up the federal agency came after the government realised that cyber crimes are becoming more commonplace, more dangerous, and more sophisticated.
Also, increasing threats of cyber attacks targeting secret government information have prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to prepare guidelines on securing data.
The National Information Security Policy and Guidelines prepared by MHA have been sent to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), the apex body on security policies headed by Modi. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is its secretary. The proposed policy looks at strengthening mechanism to safeguard critical data by roping in experts and using better technology.
"Almost every developed country is indulging in cyber espionage and government data is most vulnerable. There is a need to enhance our system to secure all critical information. The policy is being vetted by the NSA," said a senior government official.
PAN-INDIA BODY
PM Modi, during a recent meeting of state police chiefs, directed all states to revamp their cyber units so that crimes can be dealt with in a coordinated and cohesive manner.
