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). 

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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.