The Indian Government is upping the ante in its fight against cybercrime. Indian Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah this week announced the launch of four major platforms under the cyber security program Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), including the training of 5,000 “Cyber Commandos” to counter the increasing threat of cybercrime.
The Cyber Commando Program will create a special wing in every Central Police Organization and aim to train 5,000 “Cyber Commandos” over the next five years. Trained Commandos will assist Central Agencies in “securing digital spaces.” Other platforms include a national Suspect Registry, a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center, and an online portal for cybercrime data analytics and crime mapping.
Shah says that, although he regards technology as a blessing and a crucial part of a developing nation, technological growth brings with it a rise in cyber threats, which is why “cyber security is no longer limited to the digital world but has also become an important aspect of national security.”
Cyber-crime cases soar by 60 percent
In May 2024, the I4C reported an average of 7,000 cyber-crime cases daily, citing an increase of over 60 percent from last year; 740,000 cases were reported from January to May 2024. The Delhi Police reports that a total of over US$71 million has been lost to cyber fraud this year, with most users falling victim to financial fraud and stock market scams. Special cyber-crime police unit Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations states that the “rise in cases in just a year has been huge… Two things scammers prey upon are greed and [the] fear of victims — greed to make more money and fear of losing it all. This makes victims spend more money, hoping to get something back.”
The I4C is also launching a public awareness campaign in order to educate victims on cyber-crime awareness, and to publicize the national cyber-crime hotline. This will be broadcast nationwide on 72 channels and 140 FM radio channels.
Shah urges all local government units to spread awareness and support the efforts against cybercrime, stating that “no single organization or institution can secure cyberspace; all stakeholders need to come together on one platform and work together for the cause.”
