12th September, 2024
Topic: Initiatives to prevent Cyber crime
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Security
Source: PIB
Context
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced significant measures for cybercrime prevention during the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center’s (I4C) inaugural Foundation Day program.
About
- The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Center (CFMC), the Samavaya Platform for cybercrime data repository, sharing, mapping, and analytics, and the Law Enforcement Agency Coordination Tool were the four I4C platforms that were introduced during the event.
- The cyber commandos’ programme: The government has planned to train and prepare 5,000 cyber commandos over the next five years to enhance cybersecurity.
- Suspect registry: In partnership with banks and financial intermediaries, this initiative aims to improve fraud risk management by compiling a database of identifiers based on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
What is the definition of cybercrime?
- The use of digital tools, like computers and the internet, for illegal purposes is known as cybercrime.
- Financial fraud (credit card fraud, online transaction fraud), crime against women and children in relation to sexually explicit material, deepfake content, etc. are some examples of these cases.
- Cybercrimes fall under the jurisdiction of State subjects, as per the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- In India, there has been a 24.4 percent increase in Cyber Crime Cases, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) “Crime in India” report.
Explanations for the rise in cybercrime
- Quick Digitalization: Cybercriminals have more opportunities to take advantage of weaknesses as more people and businesses depend on the Internet and digital technologies.
- Large Internet User Base: 95 crore people use the Internet in India. An enormous number of people use the internet, which increases the number of potential targets for cybercriminals and creates a lucrative market for cyberattacks.
- Inadequate Cybersecurity Framework: India’s cybersecurity framework is still in its early stages of development. Many companies, particularly smaller ones, might not have strong cybersecurity policies in place, which makes them simple pickings for thieves.
- Insider Dangers: Insider threats are a major concern in India, especially in the corporate sector. Insider threats occur when employees or individuals with access to sensitive information misuse it for malicious purposes.
- Payment Systems Vulnerability: Financial crimes like phishing, credit card fraud, and online scams are more likely to occur as digital payments and online transactions become more common.
Effects of Cybercrime
- Financial Losses: Whether through money theft, fraudulent activity, or the expense of restoring compromised systems, cybercrime causes significant financial losses for both individuals and organizations.
- National Security Issues: Cyberattacks motivated by geopolitics are a threat to national security. The attacks jeopardize a country’s security by focusing on defense systems, vital infrastructure, or government agencies.
- Data breaches: The confidentiality of financial and personal information is jeopardized when sensitive data is stolen or unauthorised access is granted, potentially leading to legal repercussions and harm to one’s reputation.
- Disruption of Services: Cyberattacks affect people, companies, and governments by interfering with vital services and infrastructure.
Government actions for Cybersecurity:
- Sections 43, 66, 70, and 74 of the Information Technology Act of 2000 address cybercrimes and hacking.
- The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) regularly publishes alerts and advisories about the most recent cyberthreats and vulnerabilities as well as countermeasures to safeguard computers and networks.
- The National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) was established to facilitate timely information sharing for proactive, preventive, and protective actions by individual entities and to generate the necessary situational awareness of current and potential cyber security threats.
- The Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre, also known as Cyber Swachhta Kendra, was established to identify malicious programs and offer free tools for their removal.
- Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise 2023: Bharat NCX will assist strategic leaders in gaining a deeper comprehension of cyberthreats, evaluating their level of preparedness, and honing their cybercrisis management and collaboration abilities.
Conclusion
There are numerous risks associated with the growing use of technology. Because of this, cybersecurity is now a crucial component of national security and is no longer just relevant in the digital sphere.
The majority of cybercrimes fall under extraterritorial jurisdiction and are of a transnational nature.
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Topic: Separate law to tackle public health crisis
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Health
Source: Business Standard
Context
A new Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) has been proposed by an expert group appointed by NITI Aayog.
About PHEMA (Public Health Emergency Management Act)
- It will use a comprehensive strategy that covers prevention, control, and disaster response to address a variety of public health issues, such as epidemics, non-communicable diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.
- Additionally, the Act would establish qualified public health cadres at the federal and state levels.
- Priority Objectives: Building infrastructure and human resources.
- Developing creative defenses and suitable high-risk funding.
- bolstering surveillance networks and legal frameworks.
- establishing links between laboratory, clinical, genomic, and epidemiological data.
About the Public Health Crisis: Difficulties and Concern
- India faces a number of public health issues due to its large population and varied healthcare system.
- Infectious diseases: A major threat to public health, infectious diseases are a problem in India. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, has put a strain on healthcare systems, resulting in overcrowded hospitals, a lack of medical supplies, and fatalities.
- Vector-Borne Diseases: A significant portion of the population is still afflicted by diseases like chikungunya, dengue, and malaria.
- Infrastructure: There are issues with funding, gaps in the system, and a shortage of personnel in India’s healthcare system.
- Lack of Medical Personnel: The crisis is made worse by the lack of physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel.
- Malnutrition and Maternal Health: Although there has been progress, malnutrition is still a major problem.
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are becoming more common.
- Environmental Health: India has a serious problem with air pollution, particularly in its cities.
Initiatives
- The goal of the National Health Mission (2013) and the National Rural Health Mission (2005) was to improve public health care.
- Publicly funded health insurance (PFHI) programs like PMJAY are highlighted in recent policies.
- Economic survey data shows that spending on social services as a percentage of GDP grew from 6.7% in 2017–18 to 7.8% in 2023–24.
- Budget Allocation
Recommendations and Way Forward
- The public health crisis in India necessitates a multifaceted strategy that includes international cooperation, community involvement, and government policies.
- Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, both nationally and internationally, must be applied to future preparedness and response plans.
- An increase in funding for public health is necessary to address the gaps revealed by the pandemic, with an emphasis on both human resources and infrastructure.
- Strong surveillance network establishment and better data management are necessary for successful public health interventions.
- Investing in the training and development of healthcare professionals is vital.
- Create health cadres to enhance emergency management at the federal and state levels
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