Sources : The Hindustan Times

Date of Publishing:16/7/2010

To counter the menace of cyber-crime, govt. has decided to set up Cyber Crime Cells

It is official: cyber crime is on rise. The e-criminals are adopting new means to target both individuals as well as the corporate sector. Guarding and protecting the cyber arena is the biggest and immediate challenge IT gurus are faced with. Government is also stepping up the ante, to address the growing threat of cyber crime in the country .

Increase in hi-tech crime "Cyber crime has been on rise, no doubt. Online criminal activity of nearly every variety has been surging of late," says Amit Nath of Trend Micro, a global leader in internet content security . He feels it is fuelled in large part by an increase in software security flaws and in the number of home computers being used against their owners' wishes to distribute spam, spyware and viruses. The challenges are only increased by the globalisation of cyber-crime, feels Deepak Kaistha, Planman. "Because developing countries have fewer laws addressing cybercrime and few law-enforcement resources to spare for fighting it, species of cyber-criminals operating from within such countries are less likely to be prosecuted than those operating in wealthier, technologysavvy countries," says Kaistha.

Combating the crime Preventing the crime is a big challenge, feel experts. But the other challenge, which the companies and the government face today goes beyond just the crime. With technology changing every second and easy internet accessibility, there is a definite need for effective technology and skilled manpower to counter the threat.

"Combating cyber-crime has become increasingly challenging for law-enforcement agencies everywhere, so individuals and organisations and HR professionals in particular, must continue to take steps to protect them and the data they collect," says Kaistha.

Govt steps up the ante In a bid to counter the menace of cyber-crime, government has decided to set up Cyber Crime Cells (CCC), facilitated by the State Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). These cells would investigate cyber crime cases and help organisations in implementation of laws, say sources. In addition, the government has also evolved an integrated approach with a series of legal, technical and administrative steps to ensure necessary systems are in place to address the threat effectively.

"Setting up of CCC is an important step towards curbing cyber crime," says Nath.

Even private corporates have started appointing IT security officers or Chief Security Officers (CSO).

Job avenues All these developments are opening a new space altogether for the IT professionals across sector. Like the software or BPO space, the IT security space is going to offer a huge job opportunity in India. "The IT industry, being a knowledgebased sector, requires a workforce that is highly competent. With growing demand for Indian IT professionals overseas and with multinational IT companies establishing their offices in India, retention becomes very difficult," says Kaistha. "The IT infrastructure development in both government and private sector is opening up new opportunities for technically skilled resources. Like the software and BPO space, IT security will be another hot segment, which will offer huge job opportunity in India," says Nath.

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