Steps like demonetization have not only changed the entire economic climate of the country but have also created a new digital economy. India’s bonhomie with the newfound digital economy could wreak havoc on the national security if strong and apt security measures are not laid down in the immediate future. The threats of cyber crimes are looming large and the country’s law enforcement skeleton needs an immediate overhaul to combat this menace.
Strict cyber laws must stall the theft of data and money. A recent report tabled by ASSOCHAM and PwC put forth startling facts about the meteoric rise of cyber crime in India. Between 2011 and 2014, the rate of cyber crime galloped more than 250 percent within the country. CERT-In reported more than 50,000 cyber security violations in 2015. The thriving market for smartphones in India has opened up a new alley of opportunity for hackers and cyber criminals. Malware-based attacks, phishing are on the rise across the country.
We are presently at war with an invisible enemy which is strong and has the organic capability to evolve with time. So we must work as a team to move ahead of this enemy. There is an urgent need to enhance the skill set of the present workforce to meet the on-ground challenges.
The United States got a breakthrough by inducting a PPP model in NCFTA (National Cyber Forensic Alliance). This is a non-profit organization that collaborates with subject matter experts and academics to tackle cyber crime. In India DSCI (Data Security Council of India) is following the footsteps of NCFTA and has contributed significantly to building a firewall against cyber crime.
A clean and transparent legal fabric must be conceived to aid victims of cyber crime. A single window legal solution system will resolve the cases faster and will also help the law enforcement agencies to track down some of the most dreaded criminals who are preying on gullible uninformed citizens.
