NCRB Data on Cyber Crime in India

December 20, 2023

Context: This article is based on an Editorial “Cyber crime growing at the rate 15-20% annually in India: West Bengal IGP Cyber Cell” which was published in the Economic Times. Cyber Crime in India; Country witnessed a rise of 24% in cyber crimes registered in 2022 compared to 2021, as per the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Relevancy for Prelims: NCRB Report 2022 On Crime in India, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP), and Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).

Relevancy for Mains: Growing Cyber Crime in India: Reasons, Challenges, Government Initiatives, and Way Forward.

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Cyber Crime: Definition & Examples

Definition: Any unlawful act where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the commission of crime.
Examples: Hacking, identity theft, fraud, and Cyberstalking.
Cybercrimes comes as a State subject as per the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

What are the primary factors contributing to the rise of cyber Crime in India?

Financial gain: Through stealing financial information, such as credit card numbers and bank accounts, or through demanding ransom in exchange for stolen data or resources.
Espionage: Some cyber criminals engage in cyber crime to steal confidential or proprietary information for competitive advantage or to damage the reputation of an organization.
Political or Ideological Motives: As some cyber criminals want to promote a particular cause or to advance a particular agenda.

What are the challenges linked to Cyber Crime in India?

Increase of Attacks with Advancement in Technologies: As new technologies such as Internet of Things and cloud computing become more prevalent, the cyberattacks are also expanding.
Sophisticated Cyber Attacks: Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using advanced techniques such as ransomware, zero-day exploits, and social engineering to target individuals and organizations.
Cyber Warfare and State-sponsored Attacks: India faces the threat of cyber espionage and state-sponsored cyber attacks increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure and sensitive government information.
Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness: Many individuals and businesses in India may not be fully aware of the risks and preventive measures associated with cybersecurity which makes them more susceptible to falling victim to cybercrimes.
Inadequate Legal Framework: Although India has made efforts in establishing legal frameworks to address cybercrimes, there may still be gaps and challenges in effectively enforcing laws.

Also Read: What is Deepfake Technology? – Its Types, Impacts, and Security Countermeasures

Government Measures Associated with Cybercrime in India

Cyber Crime in India: Government Initiatives

National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (Investigation): To provide early stage cyber forensic assistance to Investigating Officers (IOs) of all State/UT Police by both online and offline modes.
‘CyTrain’ portal: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform for capacity building of all the stakeholders through online courses on critical aspects of cyber crime.
National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP): For a secure and strong cyberspace environment.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): To enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies to prevent and investigate cybercrimes.
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: To enable the public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children.
National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): For protecting critical information infrastructure from cyber threats.
Cyber Swachhta Kendra: For the detection and removal of malware-infected systems.
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): The national agency responsible for responding to and mitigating cybersecurity incidents. It issues alerts and advisories to the public and private sectors to enhance cybersecurity awareness.
Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: It is a comprehensive legislation to address various types of cybercrimes.

Way Forward to deal with Cyber Crime in India

Implement Advanced Cybersecurity Framework: Investing in advanced cybersecurity technologies can help to protect critical information systems and networks.
Cyber Hygiene Practices: There is a need to adopt good cyber hygiene practices, such as regular software updates, strong password management, and secure online behavior.
Strengthening of Collaborations: Strengthen collaboration with international organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other countries to share threat intelligence, best practices, and coordinate efforts in investigating and prosecuting cross-border cybercrimes.
Public Awareness and Education: Conduct widespread awareness campaigns to educate the public about common cyber threats, safe online practices, and the importance of cybersecurity.
Encourage Adoption of Cyber Insurance: To cover the financial losses that result from cyber events and incidents.
Cyber-risk coverage also helps with the costs associated with remediation, including payment for legal assistance, investigators, crisis communicators and customer credits or refunds.

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Conclusion:

Addressing the rising threat of cyber crime in India requires a multi-faceted approach, involving advanced cybersecurity measures, public awareness, international collaboration, and a robust legal framework to safeguard individuals, businesses, and the nation’s digital infrastructure.