Cyber criminals move around unbridled

There has been a substantial increase in the number of cybercrime cases from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. With more people working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown, cybercriminal gangs are able to execute their designs by making the most out of the network security lapses.

Hyderabad:Official data indicates the intensification of cybercrimes in the country with every passing year. In terms of the number of registered cases, Karnataka, UP, Maharashtra and the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh seem to be on the high side of cyber thievery. When compared with the statistics of the year 2019, the number of cybercrimes doubled in Telangana, reaching a figure of 4500 in a span of just one year, says the state’s DGP in a statement.

In Maharashtra’s Pune city, the number of cases reached the astounding 14,000 mark, which is double the number of cases reported compared to the previous year. Leave aside the realization of the unfulfilled dream called Digital India studies are revealing that throughout the country the number of cybercrimes has increased by 64 percent.

Making use of internet and smart-phones as the means to give effect to their evil deeds, the cybercriminal gangs have caused a loss of Rs 1.25 lakh crore to the country in the year 2019 alone. The quantum of loss is proportionately increasing with the number of cases filed.

National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval too has concurred with the general view that the actual quantum of loot by cybercriminals is far greater than the amount indicated by the statistics of the National Crime Records Bureau. According to Mr. Doval, there has been a fivefold increase in the incidence of cyber crimes in a span of one year. This clearly indicates the general perception that the cybercriminals are executing their designs with impunity.

The intensity of cybercrimes in the country is evident from the fact that within a span of a few months, around Rs 21,000 crore was siphoned off by loan apps alone. The whopping amount swiftly changed hands and finally crossed the border within no time.

As cybercriminals take advantage of the situations prevailing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a strategy has to be evolved on a top priority basis to curb the menace.

The computer keyboard and the smartphone are the key factors for the progress of today’s technology-driven world. Unfortunately, the number of cybercrimes is also increasing along with the expansion of online transactions and online services.

As more and more people prefer to Work from Home in the backdrop of the fear of Covid-19, cybercriminal gangs are able to execute their designs by making the most out of the network security lapses. Particularly, instances of information theft and online bullying for ransom are high in Dilli, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore areas.

Shockingly, around 8 lakh cases of cybercrime were reported just in a period of 7 months. The problem pervasive and it is not confined to any single State or region. The Internet complaints division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA) is stating that after the USA, UK and Canada, the biggest victim of cybercrime is India.

In the backdrop of the problem’s gravity, India’s 21st position in terms of cyber efficiency is a matter of serious concern. NASSCOM advised the creation of a cyber force comprising of ten lakh experts. However, no action has been taken on the suggestion till date.

Around two decades ago, Israel had shown to the world how to deal with cyber challenges by following the right curriculum and implementing a phased action plan. India’s digital transformation will be meaningful only when there is a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy and action plan. A joint action team that enables constant exchange of information between States to help curb cyber gangs is the best remedy to neutralize the online terrorists.