Why have a Cyber
Cell?
The prefix ‘Cyber’ typically relates to computer hardware, software &
networks (including internet) and to flow of information or communication.
The world today is experiencing unprecedented growth in the number of users
of computers & of internet. There exist over 1 billion internet users
the world over. India, with its 55 million users, ranks 4th in the world.
The plummeting prices of PCs/Laptops/Palmtops and availability of cheap,
high speed internet access shall further drive the growth in the number of
computer users. A parallel development has been the telecommunication
revolution with the advent of the mobile phone technology. India already
has over 100 million mobile phone users and the number is expected to rise
further with falling call tariffs and availability of cheap handsets. The
two areas of information flow are getting integrated over time with
internet providing PC-to-PC call facilities and with mobile phones
providing mobile access to internet.
This rapid development in the area of information technology today poses
new challenges for the police department. The use of internet and computer
systems has led to new types of ‘Cyber Crimes’ like malicious emails,
fraudulent electronic transfer of money, misuse of stolen credit cards etc.
Similarly, the introduction of the mobile phone technology has destroyed
the competitive edge that the police department had enjoyed by having the
exclusive right to use wireless communication. Today, the criminal elements
enjoy an equal access to mobile communication. The incidence of
theft/snatching of mobile phones is rising rapidly. The criminals today,
are increasingly using mobile phones for effecting different kinds of
crimes such as making extortion calls, detonating IEDs etc. There is a need
to have a specialized group with the requisite technical skills to assist
and guide the investigative arms in overcoming challenges posed by recent
technological advances in the sphere of information technology.
What shall the Cyber
Cell do?
The
Cyber Cell of Sirsa Police has been established
as the nodal agency for providing all possible technical assistance to the
different investigative units in matters pertaining to mobile phone
technology and internet. The cell is rapidly developing expertise in areas
like call monitoring, tracking down of stolen mobile phones etc. The cell
is being equipped with sophisticated hardware. Assistance from software
experts is also being solicited in order to upgrade the computer skills of Sirsa's Cyber Cops.
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