Four new cyber cells for Mumbai Police
Amid a rise in cyber attacks, Mumbai Police have decided to form four new cyber cells. Moreover, 186 posts have been sanctioned for these new cells. A new 100-seat cyber training centre will complement efforts. "The government has approved Rs. 14.59cr for this project," a home department official said. In 2017 alone, Mumbai Police have registered 467 cases of cyber crime, and arrested 63.
Cyber crime- the new global threat
This comes amid several major hacking attempts reported globally. The WannaCry ransomware affected systems in as many as 99 countries. However, no major breach of security was reported in India. Among five minor incidents, the Andhra Pradesh police department and the West Bengal electricity department were hit. RBI asked all banks to open their ATMs only after updating software.
A range of cyber crimes, from financial to sexual
According to a 2016 NCRB report, the five main motives behind cyber crimes were financial gain (33.3%), fraud/illegal gain (9.6%), insult to modesty of women (5.2%), sexual exploitation (5.1%) and causing disrepute (3.3%). There has also been a spike in such attacks after demonetization.
How has Mumbai police fared till now?
Cyber crimes have been rising steadily in Mumbai since two years, but cops haven't been able to keep up. Last year, out of 423 cases, only 54 (12%) were solved. The year before that, of 320 cases lodged, 36 (11%) were solved. In the first four months of 2017, 178 cases of card fraud have been recorded. Fifteen have been solved till now.
