Computer Forensics Training Providers In India

Human Rights protection in cyberspace cannot be achieved till the police officers, lawyers and judges are aware about the application of technology to civil and criminal proceedings. The same essentially requires a sound knowledge of cyber laws as well as the application of cyber forensics to various proceedings. Indian police officers, lawyers and judges are, by large, unaware about cyber laws. The position is even worst when it comes to cyber forensics that is a totally alien concept to Indian legal and judicial system. There is an emergent need of cyber law and cyber forensics training of the police officers, lawyers and judges in India.

Cyber Forensics is a very recent scientific development and countries all over the World are struggling hard to incorporate the same in their respective legal and judicial systems. Cyber forensics is also a part of legal enablement of ICT system that essentially creates a legal framework incorporating the prerequisites of cyber forensics.

Cyber Forensics is an important field of criminal investigation. However, it requires a sound expertise to be practiced. In India we have very few experts who can provide cyber forensics services in an appropriate manner. Presently, India does not possess the required capabilities and law enforcement machinery finds it really difficult to deal with modern cyber crimes.

As per Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Perry4Law and the leading Techno-Legal Expert of India, “Computer Forensics or Cyber Forensics in India has started gaining importance out of the necessity to deal with growing cyber crimes. Though India has taken some steps in the direction of enacting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related law in the form of Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000), yet by and large it failed to provide a sound and secure law in this crucial direction. The result is too obvious. India has to depend upon foreign experts and institutions/universities for cyber forensics tasks”.

In the absence of governmental efforts in this regard, world renowned techno-legal firms like Perry4Law can be really helpful in fighting cyber crimes in India. Issues pertaining to hacking, data thefts, data security, cyber terrorism, financial frauds, privacy violations, etc must not be taken as lightly as has been done by India.

Perry4Law possesses techno-legal expertise for cyber law, cyber forensics, cyber security training, consultancy and solutions providing to various stakeholders. Perry4Law Techno-Legal Base (PTLB) is India’s first and most prominent techno-legal initiative that is providing techno-legal training to various players. It is also acting as India’s first and most effective Resource Centre for Cyber Forensics (RCCF) and cyber forensics software testing platform.

Perry4Law and PTLB provides techno-legal services in the fields like cyber law, cyber forensics, crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS), techno-legal training to police officers, lawyers and judges, national mission for delivery of justice and legal reforms (NMDJLR), etc.

The government of India must also take immediate steps to acquire indigenous capabilities at the national level. With the growing threats of cyber terrorism and cyber warfare, India should not be as complacent as it is.

AUTHOR: SHAYAM PRASAD

SOURCE: GROUND REPORT

Electronic Surveillance And Encryption Standards In India

E-Surveillance of Internet communications is not a new concept as it has been happening for many years in the intelligence agencies circles world wide. It also adversely effects "Human Rights in Cyberspace". However, now even others are using “sniffers” and other tools to gather information and communications happening between the sender and the recipient. The same is possible because of non-use of strong encryption techniques while communicating. India is insisting upon weak encryption standards and usage on the recommendations of intelligence and security agencies. This would not deter the criminals and terrorists to use the same but would make the online transactions of law abiding citizens vulnerable to eavesdropping and sniffing activities.

Electronic surveillance has been in place for long. Internet communications are sniffed by not only law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies but also by cyber criminals. Now even terrorists are using technology for their nefarious activities.

Recent news has revealed that some unknown Pakistani hackers had intercepted an official email communication between J&K Police’s intelligence chief and the J&K Chief Minister. However, it is claimed that the intercepted email did not carry “sensitive information”. As per a senior police officer this is normal as both sides do it.

Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister J&K, has been encouraging use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for government functions. He has been seeking police reports and daily confidential police bulletins through e-mails instead of traditional mailing system.

According to Mr. Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Perry4Law and the leading Techno-Legal Expert of India, “Electronic communications sniffing is a very effective mechanism to steal e-mail passwords and confidential information. The same happens if the sniffer is at the same network in case of wired networks or through airwaves if he is targeting the wireless networks”.

To avoid the interception of the email communication by the security agencies, terrorists are not communicating between two email addresses but use a single address with several people knowing the password. The militant then save the document in the draft folder which could be subsequently read by his companions.

Similarly, security agencies are also adopting various methods to keep their e-communications safe and secure. This tussle between the terrorists and security agencies would further increase in the distant future and India should be well prepared to deal with the same.

India must also ensure that encryption standards are suitably regulated through a good and strong cyber law so that security and law enforcement requirements can be reconciled, opined Praveen Dalal. Presently, India is confused regarding the same and trying to stifle the same as much a possible. Indian authorities are insisting upon 40 bits encryption for long whereas anything below 128-bit encryption is equivalent to no encryption at all.

An enhanced encryption use would not only strengthen public trust in online transactions but also would prevent unauthorised e-surveillance by the State. However, Indian Department of Telecommunications has not been uniform in its stand against encryption standards in the Blackberry services in India. The security agencies of India are insisting upon weak encryption standards in India so that they can monitor the electronic communications of Indian citizens and others. This is resulting in an enhanced and unregulated electronic communications sniffing in India. India must change its attitude in this regard as this approach would bring more troubles than benefits.

AUTHOR: TECHTALK

SOURCE: GROUND REPORT