During the first foundation day of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced significant cybersecurity initiatives aimed at combating cybercrime in India.
Shah revealed plans to train 5,000 'cyber commandos' over the next five years and introduced a national registry for suspects involved in cyber and online financial frauds. This registry will be accessible to various law enforcement agencies.
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Shah stated that cybercrimes have no boundaries and that all stakeholders must unite to tackle this issue. He emphasized the need for cybersecurity agencies to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to better identify criminal behaviors, including fraud and online harassment.
Shah noted that India's internet user base has grown significantly, reaching 950 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to 250 million in 2014. He pointed out that in 2024, UPI transactions in India amounted to ₹20.64 lakh crore, representing 46% of global digital transactions, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protection against cyber fraud.
The I4C, established in 2018 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is dedicated to coordinating efforts to address cybercrime across the nation.