Karnataka, India is taking a proactive approach to combat the rising tide of cyber threats by establishing the country’s first full-fledged Cyber Command Centre. With the increasing complexity and frequency of cybercrimes such as ransomware, hacking, cyber stalking, sextortion, identity theft, and digital arrest scams, the need for a centralized investigative unit to address these issues has never been greater.
According to state officials, a staggering 20 percent of cybercrime cases in India originate from Karnataka alone. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of having a dedicated Cyber Command Centre to tackle the myriad of digital threats facing the state and the country as a whole.
The main objective of the Cyber Command Centre is to provide a streamlined and centralized mechanism for responding to cyber threats effectively. By bringing together cybersecurity, cybercrime, and digital threat response under one roof, the centre aims to enhance coordination and investigative capabilities in combating online crimes.
A senior government official emphasized the importance of establishing a cohesive mechanism to deal with the evolving landscape of cyber threats. The official highlighted the need to address the challenges presented by cybercrime, which has often been neglected within the traditional framework of law enforcement.
The launch of the Cyber Command Centre is a significant step towards strengthening the state’s digital resilience and capacity to counter cyber threats. In addition to addressing a wide range of cybercrimes, the centre will focus on online crimes against women and children, financial fraud, deepfakes, disinformation, and threats to the state’s digital infrastructure.
One of the key elements of the Cyber Command Centre is the appointment of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to oversee the security of the state’s IT infrastructure. This specialized role reflects the unique skill set required to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and digital defense.
The surge in cyberattacks targeting Karnataka’s digital infrastructure underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Recent incidents, such as the DDoS attack on the Kaveri 2.0 portal, have highlighted the vulnerabilities present in the state’s critical infrastructure and the potential economic impact of such attacks.
The Cyber Command Centre will be led by senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, who brings a wealth of experience in cybercrime investigation and law enforcement. With a mandate to oversee all cybercrime police stations in the state, Mohanty will play a pivotal role in driving coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders in the fight against cyber threats.
Training and capacity building will be a key focus area for the Cyber Command Centre, with an emphasis on equipping personnel with the necessary skills to investigate and prosecute cybercrime cases effectively. Prosecutors will also receive specialized training to enhance their expertise in handling digital evidence and prosecuting cybercriminals.
The rising number of cybercrime cases in Karnataka, with over 60,000 cases registered in the last three years, underscores the urgency of strengthening the state’s cybercrime response capabilities. The Cyber Command Centre is poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing detection, investigation, and conviction rates to ensure cybercriminals are brought to justice.
As Karnataka takes the lead in establishing India’s first Cyber Command Centre, the state sets a precedent for other regions to follow suit in bolstering their cybersecurity defenses and combating the growing threat of online crime. By creating a centralized and specialized unit to address cyber threats, Karnataka is paving the way for a more secure and resilient digital future for the state and the country.