The exponential surge in cybercrime and offenses generated by malicious cyber entities, the Karnataka Government is commissioning cyber defence measures to contain the threat.
Given the scale of financial losses occurring due to increase in cybercrime, the Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the budget announced that two cyber-security forensic labs will be built in Shivamogga and Tumakuru.
Bengaluru, the IT Hub of India has been plagued by cybercrimes with an average of one crore rupees lost every day by individuals in 2022.
The Karnataka Home Department revealed that Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya topped the areas where people lost the most to the cybercriminals.
Only Bengaluru has a cybersecurity lab and with the commissioning and establishment of the two labs, it will help in curbing cybercrimes, experts said.
According to data from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Bengaluru, around 722 crores have been lost to cybercriminals.
The minister explained that while presenting the budget, the security of the administration was a top priority as IT was the backbone of the system. He said-“Against this background, the 24X7 Cyber Security Operation Center will be established to ensure the online services and safety of government websites, data security and online services.”
The Karnataka Government has been trying to increase the awareness about cybercrimes among the public in the state. As of now, the FSL is waiting for the funds to be released for establishing new labs.
Many Cybersecurity experts believe that while forensic labs are essential, more important fact is the awareness about the cyber fraud and the need for a bill on this.
“Banks, payment apps, organisations that target must take the ownership and spend all awareness in all languages among citizens. A bill must be passed where all these organisation must report openly about a breach of mentioning how many accounts or PI data or credentials and money have been stolen.
If this is passed, to protect their reputation they will spend all of this on awareness. I feel it as a need because many of the innocent middle class and lower-class citizens are getting scammed.
If a fraud occurs on a shopping site, they must be held liable. Only then will they screen all sellers.” Ram Movva, the president and co-founder of Cyber Security Works, told IndiaToday.in.
