Cyber Crime
India Prepares To Fight Cyber Crime with New Elite Cyber Commando Unit, Full Details Inside
India is launching a dedicated cyber commando wing to tackle escalating cyber threats. Training begins soon with top institutions, aiming to secure and safeguard digital infrastructure.
New Delhi : As cyber threats continue to grow in both scale and sophistication, India is taking a major step forward to bolster its defenses in the digital world. The central government is set to introduce a dedicated wing of Cyber Commandos, a specialized force that will be drawn from police units across states, Union Territories (UTs), and central police organizations. This move is part of a larger initiative to combat rising cybercrime and safeguard the country’s critical infrastructure.
The decision stems from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recommendation during the DGP/IGP Conference held earlier this year, where he emphasized the importance of having a well-trained team to counter threats to cybersecurity and secure the nation’s information technology networks.
Cyber Commandos: The Nation’s New Digital Warriors
In its communication to states and UTs, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked all police forces to identify 10 suitable candidates who will form the backbone of the new Cyber Commando wing. These commandos will be selected based on their knowledge of information technology, digital forensics, and cybersecurity.
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The MHA’s letter explains the role these commandos will play: “This specialized wing will defend the information technology network, conduct investigations in cyberspace, and take care of the cyber security needs of police and government organizations on an ongoing basis.”
These commandos won’t just focus on stopping attacks after they happen; they’ll be responsible for preemptively identifying threats, securing vital infrastructure, and coordinating cyber defense strategies across state and central organizations. In essence, they’ll become India’s first line of defense against both domestic and international cyber threats.
Elite Training for a National Mission
To ensure that these Cyber Commandos are well-prepared, they will undergo specialized training at some of India’s top institutions. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will play a pivotal role in training the first batch of cyber commandos. The training will cover everything from digital forensics to cybersecurity infrastructure, providing these officers with the skills and knowledge needed to combat advanced cyberattacks.
Institutions like IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Kottayam, and IIIT Naya Raipur are among the academies selected to provide rigorous training. In addition, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar will also serve as training centers for these elite cyber specialists.
The first batch, which will include 350 personnel, will undergo training starting this month, with the aim of becoming operational as soon as possible. These officers will be selected from various police ranks, including senior investigation officers, and will remain in their parent organizations, available for national duties in emergencies.
Why Cyber Commandos are Crucial Now
The establishment of this Cyber Commando wing couldn’t have come at a better time. Cybercrime is on the rise globally, and India has seen a sharp increase in cyberattacks and fraud. According to alarming data compiled by the MHA, Indians lost an astonishing Rs 7,488.6 crore to cyber fraud in 2023 alone. The states of Maharashtra and Telangana bore the brunt of these losses, with Maharashtra losing Rs 990.7 crore and Telangana Rs 759.1 crore.
While India has made strides in cybersecurity over the years, the growing scale and sophistication of cybercriminals necessitate a more proactive approach. The Cyber Commandos will be responsible not only for responding to cyberattacks but also for identifying and neutralizing threats before they can cause widespread damage.
A senior official explained the vision behind the Cyber Commando initiative: “We aim to create a core group of highly trained police personnel who will be responsible for securing infrastructure in information and communication technologies (ICT), incident response, and digital forensics within their organizations and across the nation.”
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Government’s Broader Cybersecurity Push
The Cyber Commando wing is just one of several new initiatives the Indian government is launching to strengthen its cybersecurity framework. In addition to the commando force, the MHA is set to unveil other programs such as Samanvaya (Joint Management Information System) and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC). These initiatives will provide new platforms for collaboration and coordination between state and central agencies, ensuring a unified response to cybercrime across the country.
- Samanvaya is a web-based platform that will enable real-time sharing of cybercrime data and intelligence among state and central agencies, helping authorities tackle cybercrime that crosses borders.
- The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) will focus on combating financial fraud in cyberspace, working alongside banks, financial intermediaries, telecom companies, and IT firms to prevent fraudulent transactions and ensure swift action when incidents occur.
These measures are part of the government’s 100-day action plan to reinforce national cybersecurity and ensure the safety of India’s growing digital infrastructure.
Launch of Cyber Commando Program on September 10
The official launch of the Cyber Commando Program is scheduled for September 10, 2024, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah will likely interact with the first batch of selected cyber commandos. This will mark a major milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its approach to combating cyber threats, ensuring that both government and private sectors are better protected from cybercriminals.
Securing India’s Future in the Digital Age
As India continues to embrace the digital revolution, the need to protect its cyber infrastructure has never been greater. The creation of the Cyber Commando wing represents a crucial step in ensuring that the nation remains secure in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats. By bringing together some of the country’s brightest minds in information technology and cybersecurity, the government is positioning itself to tackle the challenges of the digital age head-on.
While the journey to a fully cyber-secure nation is long, the establishment of the Cyber Commando wing is a clear sign that India is taking its cybersecurity seriously. These dedicated officers, armed with cutting-edge training and knowledge, will serve as guardians of the nation’s digital landscape, protecting citizens, businesses, and government organizations from the growing dangers of cyberspace.
In a world where cyberattacks are becoming more common, India is showing its commitment to defending its digital borders, one Cyber Commando at a time.