In pursuit of Cyber Security

In pursuit of Cyber Security

The Director General of Police (DGP) of Goa, Jaspal Singh during the recent Ideathon on the topic “Implications of 5G Technology for Law Enforcement Agencies”, stated that the launch of 5G services will lead to an increase in cyber crimes in the State.

Though a startling revelation, but the stark reality had to be shown to the people in order to prepare the population for the enormous potential that the technological advancements have and how they can be misused.

The webseries, ‘Jamtara’ has very objectively portrayed how the tricks of siphoning off people have been improvised in the post-demonetisation economy of the country. The use of online banking and app based financial transactions has increased multiple times and so have the means and options to scam people with technological advancements.

Herald has reported that in the South Goa district alone, 49 cases were registered in the first 10 months of this year and lakhs of rupees siphoned off from people’s bank accounts. 

It’s not just the individuals, but the Indian businesses too have been at the receiving end of the cyber crime threat. As per the Check Point Threat Intelligence Report earlier this year, the most vulnerable sectors in India with the highest weekly attacks during the last six months were education and research with 4,762 cases, healthcare with 3,093 cases, internet service providers with 2,097 cases, government and military establishments with 2,796 cases, insurance and legal sector with 2,431 cases, manufacturing with 2,072 attacks and utilities with 1,822 cyber crime attacks.

While the crimes have multiplied, so have the investments in fighting the cyber threats. As reported by the Financial Express in November, India’s cyber security industry nearly doubled with revenue from cyber security products and services growing from Rs $5.04 billion in 2019 to $9.85 billion in 2021, according to a report by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI).

After years being under scrutiny for being labelled as India’s cyber crime hub, Jharkhand’s Jamtara has launched a campaign ‘Police Ki Patshala’ (police school). The drive is being organised throughout the 118 panchayats of the district by the Police with the help of the District Administration. 

Police are trying to educate the youth on the impact of the cyber frauds on the society and economy as well as the legal consequences. However, the thrust of the campaign has been to provide an alternative to the educated youth to prepare for competitive exams and take up respectable jobs. The campaign is worth being emulating in other States which have their own centres of cyber crime. 

Therefore while there is a sharp increase in the number of cases, there can be equally or far more emphasis on providing educated youth to contribute to the country’s economy. However, with an unemployment rate of eight per cent at the national level and 13.6 per cent for Goa, the question thus arises about the opportunities available to the youth to seek respectable livelihood, in accordance with the law. 

On the other hand, with exam papers being leaked consistently and employment for cash scams unearthed almost across the country, the approach to genuine employment options are bleak and one is forced to seek alternatives. Along with the risks of legal consequences, those involved in the cyber crimes are aware that the returns in being in the business are hefty too. In addition, the political-police-criminal nexus which ensures shoddy investigations into majority of the crimes leading to delayed judgments, most of which culminate into acquittals. 

Jamtara has shown that flowers can bloom even in murky waters, but a genuine political effort with equally strong legislations is the need of the day. India ranks 10th in Global Cybersecurity Index, however, in its pursuit of becoming the global investment hub, the country will have to ramp up its efforts on tech-security.

Ministry of Information Technology in coordination with the Law Department should spearhead legislations that will strengthen the noose around scamsters. Until then, public awareness and providing alternatives employment opportunities are the only options that would divert the talent flow away from the scamming business.