New Cybersecurity Initiatives

Sept. 11, 2024

Union Home Minister recently addressed the first Foundation Day program of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in New Delhi and launched key initiatives for prevention of cybercrime.

New Cybersecurity Initiatives:

  • Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC):
  • CFMC has been established at the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (14C) in New Delhi with representatives of major banks, Financial Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT Intermediaries, and States/UTs Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). 
  • They will work together for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle online financial crimes. 
  • CFMC will serve as an example of "Cooperative Federalism" in law enforcement.
  • Samanvaya Platform (Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System): It is a web-based module to act as a One Stop Portal for data repository of cybercrime, data sharing, crime mapping, data analytics, cooperation, and coordination platform for LEAs across the country.
  • 'Cyber Commandos' Program:
  • Under this program, a special wing of trained 'Cyber Commandos' in States/UTs and Central Police Organizations (CPOs) will be established to counter threats of the cyber security landscape in the country.
  • Trained Cyber Commandos will assist States/UTs and Central Agencies in securing the digital space.
  • Suspect Registry: It is a new initiative to strengthen fraud risk management by creating a registry of identifiers based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal in collaboration with banks and financial intermediaries.

Key Facts about Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):

  • I4C has been established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with cybercrime in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. 
  • The I4C focuses on tackling issues related to cybercrime for citizens, including improving coordination between various LEAs and stakeholders.
  • The centre is located in New Delhi.
  • Functions:
    • To act as a nodal pointin the fight against cybercrime.
    • Identify the research problems and needs of LEAs and take up R&D activitiesin developing new technologies and forensic tools in collaboration with academia/research institutes within India and abroad.
    • To prevent misuse of cyberspace for furthering the cause of extremist and terrorist groups.
    • Suggest amendments, if required, in cyber lawsto keep pace with fast-changing technologies and international cooperation.
    • To coordinate all activities related to the implementation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with other countries related to cybercrimes in consultation with the concerned nodal authority in MHA.
  • Components of I4C: 
    • National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (TAU):For reporting threats pertaining to cybercrimes at regular intervals.
    • National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP):To report various cybercrime complaints by citizens at all India level on a common platform on a 24x7 basis from “anywhere, anytime”.
    • National Cybercrime Training Centre (NCTC): To impart training to government officials, especially state law enforcement agencies.
    • National Cybercrime Research and Innovation Centre:To carry out research for the development of indigenous tools for the prevention of cybercrimes.
    • Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Coordination Team:For coordination, sharing of modus operandi of cybercrimes, data/information among states/UTs LEAs.
    • Cybercrime Ecosystem Management Unit:For creating mass awareness in cyber hygiene for prevention of cybercrimes.
    • National Cybercrime Forensic Laboratory (Investigation) Ecosystem:For helping LEAs in cyber forensics investigation.
  • I4C brings together academia, industrypublicand government in the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrimes.
  • I4C has envisaged the Cyber Crime Volunteers Program to bring together citizens with passion to serve the nation on a single platform and contribute to fight against cybercrime in the country.