GREATER NOIDA: To strengthen cybersecurity in Uttar Pradesh, the Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics & Incident Response (CoE-DFIR) was inaugurated at the IIMT Ladder Business Foundation (IIMT-LBF). This cutting-edge facility, developed in collaboration with the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), marks a pivotal moment in the state’s cybersecurity landscape.
Event Highlights and Distinguished Guests
The inauguration event, held recently, brought together a constellation of dignitaries, cybersecurity experts, and industry leaders. The program commenced with the arrival and registration of participants, followed by an introduction and felicitation of the esteemed guests.
Chief Guest Shri Dayashankar Singh, Minister of State for Transport, Government of Uttar Pradesh, set the tone for the event with his emphatic address. He stressed the critical need for the initiative to reach every corner of the state, stating, “This initiative should touch every village of Uttar Pradesh to contain the rising tide of cybercrime, ensuring that the benefits of cybersecurity are accessible to all.”
Prof. Triveni Singh, Ex-IPS and Chief Mentor at FCRF, took center stage to launch the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign. This comprehensive awareness drive is designed to educate citizens about cyber threats and forms a crucial component of FCRF’s strategy to fortify the state’s digital defenses.
Dr. Mayank Agarwal, Managing Director of IIMT Group of Colleges, outlined the institution’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies. He emphasized, “We will focus on providing advanced cyber forensic and investigation techniques to assist the police and ensure swift justice,” highlighting the role of the state-of-the-art Cyber Forensic Lab in achieving this goal.
Abhay Sharma, Chief Business Officer at Paytm, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to securing digital transactions and protecting users from cyber threats. His support for the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign underscored the private sector’s crucial role in this initiative.
The event was further enriched by insights from a diverse panel of experts:
- Shri Abhishek Singh (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Shri Binod K. Singh (IPS), ADG / Cyber Crime, Uttar Pradesh
- AVM (Dr.) Devesh Vatsa (Retd.), Director at DSCI
- Ms. Tulika Pandey, Scientist G, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Shri Subodh Akulwar, Scientist F, CERT-In
- Ms. Karnika Seth, Advocate, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India
- Lt Col (Dr) Santosh Khadsare, Army Veteran, Ex CERT India and a DFIR expert
- Dr. Rakshit Tandon, Cyber Security Expert
- Dr. K. K. Paliwal, Group Director, IIMT Group of Colleges
- Mehnaz Parveen, Vice President of Trust & Safety, Paytm
- Ankit Goyal, Vice President, Paytm
Nurturing Cybersecurity Talent: Internship Program and Certificate Distribution
A standout moment of the event was the certificate distribution ceremony, recognizing over 80 interns from across India who successfully completed the DFIR training program. These interns, trained on advanced workstations and cutting-edge cyber forensic tools, represent the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. This program is a crucial step in building a robust pipeline of skilled experts to bolster the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Technical Sessions: Bridging Theory and Practice
The event featured a series of expert-led technical sessions, providing deep dives into various aspects of digital forensics and cybersecurity:
- Akash Verma from Tata Advanced Systems Limited illuminated the critical role of cyber forensics in criminal investigations.
- Subroto Mandal, Ankita Kumari, Ignace Kiro, and Mohit Yadav from Forensic Care Technologies offered valuable insights into the practical applications of forensic technologies in combating cybercrime.
- Ajay Sariyal, Product Specialist at MSAB, highlighted the growing importance of mobile forensics in modern investigations.
- Ashish Upreti, India Head at Magnet Forensics, discussed advanced digital forensic solutions and their impact on cybercrime prevention.
- Naveen Kumar Singh, Founder of Power Forensics & Digital Intelligence, shared expertise on integrating forensic intelligence into crime-solving efforts.
Looking Ahead: The Campaign’s Next Steps
The event concluded with an exciting announcement about the next phase of the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ initiative. The campaign is set to continue its momentum with a major event scheduled for October 17th at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. This upcoming gathering aims to further expand the reach and impact of the campaign across the state, with FutureCrime Warriors serving as the flag-bearers of this crucial initiative.
Impact and Significance
The establishment of the CoE-DFIR and the launch of the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign represent a multifaceted approach to tackling cybercrime in the state. By combining advanced research facilities, practical training programs, and widespread public awareness campaigns, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself at the forefront of cybersecurity efforts in India.
These initiatives are expected to:
- Enhance the state’s capacity to investigate and prevent cybercrimes
- Create a pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals
- Raise public awareness about digital threats and safe online practices
- Foster collaboration between law enforcement, academia, and the private sector
As digital technologies continue to permeate every aspect of daily life, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. With the CoE-DFIR and the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, the state is taking proactive steps to create a safer digital environment for its citizens, businesses, and government institutions.
The success of these initiatives could serve as a model for other states in India, potentially leading to a nationwide enhancement of cybersecurity infrastructure and awareness. As Uttar Pradesh embarks on this ambitious journey, the eyes of the nation will be watching, eager to learn from its experiences and replicate its successes in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.
