NEWS – Karnataka to establish Cyber Command Unit

HIGHLIGHTS

Cyber Command Unit (CCU): Overview

• Established by: Karnataka Home Department
• Objective: Overhaul cybercrime investigations in the state
• Leadership: Headed by DGP Pronab Mohanty
• Significance:
  • Karnataka is the first state in India to appoint a DGP-ranked officer specifically for cybercrime.
  • No extra expenditure involved in setting up the unit.

Quick Response Team (QRT)

• Core wing under the CCU
• Purpose:
  • Tackle cybersecurity threats and cyberattacks
  • Analyze patterns to predict and prevent futuristic cybercrimes
  • Investigate data breaches and thefts from:
    • Government departments
    • Corporate firms
    • Data centers

Recruitment and Training

• Investigator Selection:
  • Handpicked from across Karnataka
  • Based on technical expertise and interest in cybercrime investigations
  • No random transfers to maintain quality and accountability
• Training:
  • Investigators with interest but lacking skills will be trained before induction into QRT

Corruption Mitigation

• Key focus:
  • Tackle corruption in cybercrime cases, particularly during money freezing/defreezing
  • Identify and take action against corrupt investigators

Scope of CCU

• Oversight:
  • Will supervise 45 CEN police stations
  • DGP (CCU) will also serve as Chief Information Security Officer
• Integration:
  • Includes the multi-departmental committee handling fake news and misinformation
  • Will work closely with:
    • RBI
    • Payment gateways
    • Other financial institutions

Standardizing Investigations

• Objectives:
  • Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cybercrime probes
  • Ensure seamless coordination among all involved departments
  • Develop platforms to unite stakeholders and close investigation loopholes

Key Focus Areas of CCU

• Identify and eliminate corruption in investigations
• Formulate SOPs for cybercrime procedures

Facilitate collaboration among agencies and institutions