India to Train 5000 Cyber Commandos to Combat Cyber Threats

India is set to bolster its cybersecurity defenses by training 5,000 cyber commandos over the next five years. This initiative, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to address the growing cyber threats and ensure national security in the digital age.

Key Takeaways

5,000 Cyber Commandos: A specialized force will be trained to counter cyber threats.
Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center: A new center to tackle online financial crimes.
National Suspect Registry: A centralized database to track cybercriminals.
Samanvaya Platform: A web-based module for data sharing and coordination.

Cyber Commandos: The New Digital Warriors

The government plans to train 5,000 cyber commandos, a specialized force drawn from police units across states, Union Territories (UTs), and central police organizations. These commandos will be trained in information technology, digital forensics, and cybersecurity to counter cyber threats effectively.

The training will be conducted at top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). The first batch of 350 personnel will undergo training starting this month.

Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center

Amit Shah also announced the launch of the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center (CFMC). This center will bring together representatives from major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, telecom service providers, and law enforcement agencies. The CFMC aims to tackle online financial crimes through immediate action and seamless cooperation.

National Suspect Registry

A national-level suspect registry will be created to store details of criminals involved in cyber and online financial frauds. This registry will be accessible to states, union territories, central investigation, and intelligence agencies.

The registry is based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and aims to strengthen fraud risk management capabilities.

Samanvaya Platform

The Samanvaya platform, a Joint Cybercrime Investigation Facilitation System, was also launched. This web-based module will act as a one-stop portal for data repository, data sharing, crime mapping, data analytics, and coordination among law enforcement agencies across the country.

Importance of Cybersecurity

Amit Shah emphasized that cybersecurity is crucial for national security and progress. He pointed out that 46% of global digital transactions occur in India, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

The number of internet users in India has increased from 250 million in 2014 to 950 million in 2024, making cybersecurity more important than ever.

Government’s Broader Cybersecurity Push

The Cyber Commando wing is part of a broader initiative to strengthen India’s cybersecurity framework. Other programs include the Samanvaya platform and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center.

These initiatives aim to provide new platforms for collaboration and coordination between state and central agencies, ensuring a unified response to cybercrime across the country.

Conclusion

As India continues to embrace the digital revolution, the need to protect its cyber infrastructure has never been greater. The creation of the Cyber Commando wing represents a crucial step in ensuring that the nation remains secure in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats.

By bringing together some of the country’s brightest minds in information technology and cybersecurity, the government is positioning itself to tackle the challenges of the digital age head-on.