Handling cybercrimes through

public-private partnership model

The CID Karnataka, in collaboration with Infosys Foundation and DSCI, set up
the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation Training & Research in 2019, one of its
kind of public-private partnership aimed at improving the handling of
cybercrime cases
Updated - January 29, 2025 06:18 pm IST - Bengaluru
M.A. SALEEM

According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy a staggering
$10.5 trillion annually by the end of 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. | Photo Credit: Sebastian Francis E
In recent years, cybercrimes have skyrocketed, becoming one of the most pressing
challenges for governments, organisations, and individuals worldwide. According to a
report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy a
staggering $10.5 trillion annually by the end of 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. This
exponential rise is fuelled by the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, ranging from
ransomware and data breaches to phishing and identity theft.
The rise of cybercrime has affected law enforcement agencies globally and India is no
exception. Police forces are facing significant challenges as they grapple with the evolving
nature of cyber threats and the increasing complexity of investigating and preventing
cybercrimes. The sheer volume of cybercrimes in India, as recorded in the recent NCRB’s
Crime in India, is overwhelming.
M.A. Saleem | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
Layers of intricacy
Fraud, hacking, identity theft, online harassment, digital arrest, investment app frauds and
child exploitation are just a few of the types of cybercrimes that law enforcement agencies
must contend with. Each crime presents its unique challenges and requires specialised
knowledge and tools. The complex nature of cybercrimes adds layers of intricacy to
investigations, often involving multiple jurisdictions, encryption, anonymization, and
sophisticated attack vectors.
Government and Police cannot alone contain the growing menace of cybercrimes and the
IT industry also cannot handle it alone. Hence the solution is to ensure the collaboration
of the Government with the private sector and academia to conform with the rapidly-
changing technological world. A collaborative strategy like the Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) model is essential to address the growing complexities of cybercrime. The National
Cyber Security Policy of India also affirms in developing effective PPP models.
The PPP model allows for the pooling of resources, expertise, and technologies, enabling
faster detection, response, and prevention of cyberattacks. By working together,
stakeholders can share real-time threat intelligence, enhance cybersecurity infrastructure,
and foster a unified approach to creating a resilient digital environment.
CCITR, a PPP Model
To put in place an institutionalized structure for an effective capacity building of
cybercrime investigations, the CID Karnataka, in collaboration with Infosys Foundation
and Data Security Council of India (DSCI), set up the Centre for Cybercrime Investigation
Training & Research (CCITR) at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
headquarters, Bengaluru, in 2019. CCITR is one of its kind of public-private partnership
aimed at improving the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime cases. As part of this
collaboration, DSCI plays the role of knowledge partner and Infosys Foundation as the
funding partner.
This centre has been instrumental in combatting cybercrimes through training, research,
and collaboration. The Centre continue to contribute significantly to the Karnataka
Police’s efforts to train police, prosecution, judiciary and other departments in handling
technology investigations and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) in cybercrime
investigations.
Among the key objectives of CCITR is supporting the police, prosecution, and judiciary in
handling technology investigations. It develops capabilities and cooperates within the
public and private sectors. It is tasked with developing of Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) in Cyber Crime Investigations, besides conducting research in digital forensics and
cybercrime investigation. CCITR has the responsibility of fostering entrepreneurship for
the development of essential cyber forensics products and solutions. It Collaboration with
national and international organizations working in the Digital Forensics domain.
Key takeaways
The centre has also developed cybercrime investigation-related resource materials like
Cybercrime Investigation Manual, Handbook on Digital Evidence, and research papers on
the Dark web and anti-forensics, Drone forensics and RAID forensics.
As of December, 2024, CCITR has trained over 46,400 personnel from police, prosecution,
judiciary and others in long and short courses. CCITR adopted virtual training and other
activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. The workshops on “Cyberlaw &
Cybercrimes” for 1067 judicial officers of the rank of district and sessions judge, senior civil
judge, and civil judge were carried out with the support of Karnataka Judicial Academy
Bengaluru.
Establishment of CCITR as an institutionalised mechanism for effectively building the
capacity and infrastructure for handling cybercrime investigations under PPP model has
helped the stakeholders of criminal justice system like Police, Prosecution and Judiciary
in digital investigation, appreciation of digital evidences, developing new strategies,
collaboration and technological advancements to provide justice to the victims of
cybercrimes. Similar PPP initiatives will go a long way in preventing / containing
cybercrimes and building safer societies.

Key benefits to public and government-

Enhancing public online safety

Through regular capacity-building programmes on cybercrime investigation

techniques & digital forensics at CCITR, police are equipping themselves with the
latest modus operandi adopted by cyber criminals. CCITR has initiated
‘Cybercrime Awareness’ campaign through social media channels with the
motive of educating the public.

Confidence in the judicial system

The CCITR contribute through regular capacity-building programs conducted for

judicial officers and prosecutors on cyberlaw and cybercrimes. This sensitises the
 judiciary in appreciation of digital evidence, speeding up the trial, and deciding
the cases.

Career-building opportunities

Through the Cyber Law and Policy Hackathon and internship programme, the
CCITR is educating students from engineering and law backgrounds on the
various challenges faced by Law Enforcement. Encouraged to research to provide
meaningful solutions. This results in improving the cybercrime investigation and
indirectly, attempting to provide justice to the victims.

Knowledge sharing among agencies

The publications and research papers released by CCITR, and the creation of a
telegram group consisting of trained Law Enforcement are acting as a platform to
address the queries raised during the investigation and digital forensic analysis.
This is contributing towards speeding up of investigation and increasing the
possibility of providing justice to the victim at a faster pace.

The author is Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department.

Published - January 29, 2025 09:00 am IST