The Indian government is planning to train and prepare 5,000 cyber commandos over the next five years to deal with cybercrimes in India. This is one of the several key initiatives launched by the country’s Home Minister Amit Shah on September 10, 2024, to tackle rising cybercrimes in India.
The country will introduce a dedicated wing of cyber commandos, a specialized force that will be drawn from police units across states, Union Territories (UTs), and central police organizations.
Role & Responsibilities of Cyber Commandos
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended forming a well-trained team to counter threats to cybersecurity and secure the nation’s information technology networks.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) then asked all police forces in states and Union Territories to nominate 10 officers for the new cyber commando unit. It said that selection of these commandos would be based on expertise in IT, digital forensics, and cybersecurity.
According to the MHA’s communication, these commandos will be tasked with safeguarding IT networks, conducting cyberspace investigations, and addressing cybersecurity needs in both government and police organizations. Their role will involve not just responding to attacks but also proactively identifying and preventing threats.
In essence, they’ll become India’s first line of defense against both domestic and international cyber threats.
Commandos to Undergo Elite Training at India’s top Institutions
The training of these commandos will take place in India’s premier institutions, including IITs and IIITs. The commandos will receive education in areas like digital forensics and cybersecurity infrastructure.
Institutions like IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Kottayam, and IIIT Naya Raipur, along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy and Rashtriya Raksha University, will serve as the training grounds.
The first batch of 350 officers will start their training this month and will continue working in their parent organizations while being available for national emergencies.
Need for Cyber Commandos Wing
The need for this Cyber Commando wing is becoming more pressing as cybercrime escalates worldwide. According to data complied by the MHA, cyber fraud cost Indians Rs 7,488.6 crore in 2023, with states like Maharashtra and Telangana being the hardest hit.
Other Cybersecurity Initiatives Launched by India
During the launch event on Tuesday, Amit Shah termed cybersecurity an integral part of national security and added that cybercrime had no boundary, and hence it was imperative that all stakeholders come together to deal with the menace.
Apart from the Cyber Commando wing, the Indian government plans to introduce other cybersecurity measures. Two key initiatives are Samanvaya, a web-based platform for real-time sharing of cybercrime data among state and central agencies, and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC), which will target financial fraud in cyberspace.
“If the states/union territories have data in silos, then it won’t help us in the fight against cyber criminals who have no boundaries. The time has come that a common registry for suspects is there,” Shah said, adding that all stakeholders will have to come together to deal with the menace.
These initiatives are part of the government’s 100-day action plan to bolster national cybersecurity. These measures are part of the government’s 100-day action plan to reinforce national cybersecurity and ensure the safety of India’s growing digital infrastructure.
Securing India’s Future in the Digital Age
As India continues to advance digitally, the need to protect its cyber infrastructure is more vital than ever. The creation of the Cyber Commando unit is a significant step toward ensuring national security in the digital era.
By training experts in cybersecurity, the government is preparing to face evolving cyber threats head-on. These commandos will serve as the nation’s frontline defense, protecting citizens, businesses, and government entities from the growing risks of cyberattacks.
