 Why have a Cyber Cell?
The prefix ‘Cyber’ typically relates to computer hardware,
software & networks (including internet) and to flow of information
or communication. The world today is experiencing unprecedented growth
in the number of users of computers & of internet. There exist
over 1 billion internet users the world over. India, with its 55 million
users, ranks 4th in the world. The plummeting prices of PCs/Laptops/Palmtops
and availability of cheap, high speed internet access shall further
drive the growth in the number of computer users. A parallel development
has been the telecommunication revolution with the advent of the mobile
phone technology. India already has over 100 million mobile phone
users and the number is expected to rise further with falling call
tariffs and availability of cheap handsets. The two areas of information
flow are getting integrated over time with internet providing PC-to-PC
call facilities and with mobile phones providing mobile access to
internet. This rapid development in the area of information technology today poses
new challenges for the police department. The use of internet and computer
systems has led to new types of ‘Cyber Crimes’ like malicious
emails, fraudulent electronic transfer of money, misuse of stolen credit
cards etc. Similarly, the introduction of the mobile phone technology has
destroyed the competitive edge that the police department had enjoyed by
having the exclusive right to use wireless communication. Today, the criminal
elements enjoy an equal access to mobile communication. The incidence of
theft/snatching of mobile phones is rising rapidly. The criminals today,
are increasingly using mobile phones for effecting different kinds of crimes
such as making extortion calls, detonating IEDs etc. There is a need to
have a specialized group with the requisite technical skills to assist and
guide the investigative arms in overcoming challenges posed by recent technological
advances in the sphere of information technology.
What shall the Cyber Cell do?
The Cyber Cell of Ambala Police has been established as the nodal agency
for providing all possible technical assistance to the different investigative
units in matters pertaining to mobile phone technology and internet. The
cell is rapidly developing expertise in areas like call monitoring, tracking
down of stolen mobile phones etc. The cell is being equipped with sophisticated
hardware. Assistance from software experts is also being solicited in
order to upgrade the computer skills of Ambala’s Cyber Cops.
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