Context: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was recently inaugurated by the government.

The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October 2018, to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

About the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre:

It will be set up under the newly created Cyber and Information Security (CIS) division of the MHA.

 It has seven components:

1. National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit
2. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
3. National Cyber Crime Training Centre
4. Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit
5. National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
6. National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
7. Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team.

Functions:

The I4C will assist in centralising cyber security investigations, prioritise the development of response tools and bring together private companies to contain the menace.

Objectives:

1. To act as a nodal point in the fight against cybercrime
2. Identify the research problems/needs of LEAs and take up R&D activities in developing new technologies and forensic tools in collaboration with academia / research institutes within India and abroad
3. To prevent misuse of cyber space for furthering the cause of extremist and terrorist groups
4. Suggest amendments, if required, in cyber laws to keep pace with fast changing technologies and International cooperation
5. To coordinate all activities related to implementation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with other countries related to cybercrimes in consultation with the concerned nodal authority in MHA.

Need for surveillance:

Asia is the region most targeted by cyber-attackers, resulting in significant economic losses. As the region continues to play a key role in the global economic market, these cyber threats are expected to increase. Over 460 million people in India currently use the internet, leaving them vulnerable to online criminals – both individuals and organised syndicates.

Way ahead:

The government has decided to hire IT experts from premier public and private institutes, including IITs, to help fight new age crimes like online fraud, hacking, identity theft, dark net, trafficking, child pornography, online radicalisation and cyber-terrorism and prepare a roadmap for Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.