Cyber Forensics in India: Is Government of India Serious?

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. Take for example the recent case of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Maharashtra, which sough help from the Purdue University, US regarding the wireless routers and their functions. Interestingly, the law enforcement machinery in India first tried to solve the case itself but landed in “detaining” two Americans only. Finally, when it was unable to solve the cyberspace puzzle, it sought the help of Purdue University. So what is the position of cyber forensics expertise in India?

According to Praveen Dalal*, the Leading Techno-Legal ICT, Cyber Law, Cyber Security and Cyber Forensics Specialist of India, “Computer Forensics or Cyber Forensics in India has started gaining importance out of the necessity to deal with modern 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 even for the task of tracing an offender sending an offensive e-mail”.

It is clear that we have to go a long way before India can be self-sufficient in this crucial field. We need good initiatives and efforts to achieve that task. Even private initiatives must be taken to fill in the gap.

“We have contacted the Prime Minister Office in this regard and drew his attention towards this problem as well as towards the recently launched “special initiative” of Perry4Law regarding Cyber Forensics. It is a single place resource that is strengthening the legal enablement of ICT systems in India on the one hand and providing cyber forensics training and expertise on the other hand. Perry4Law has always remained on the forefront and has been providing suggestions and recommendations to the Government of India in this crucial field so that India’s dependence upon foreign experts may be minimised” says Mr. Praveen Dalal.

Let us hope that India will soon have its own indigenous cyber forensics capabilities and the appeal by Perry4Law would be heard and acted upon by the Government of India.

*About Mr. Praveen Dalal