7th International Conference on Cyber-Crime
12 September 2007, New Delhi, India
Speech of Suresh Pachouri, Minister of State (Personnel), India
 Printable version

See also   INTERPOL urges integrated global cyber-crime investigation network to combat online threat - Media Release, 12/09/2007   Speech of Shivraj Patil, Minister of Home Affairs, India, 12/09/2007   Welcome address by Vijay Shanker, Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, India, and INTERPOL Executive Committee member, 12/09/2007   Speech by Secretary General Noble at the 7th International Conference on Cyber-Crime, 12/09/2007   Photo gallery

Shri Shivraj Patilji, Honourable Union Home Minister;
Mr. Ronald K. Noble, Secretary General, INTERPOL;
Shri Vijay Shanker, Director, Central Bureau of Investigation;
Distinguished delegates from various countries and international organizations,
Media persons,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am glad to be present here at this International Cyber Crime Conference. I extend a very warm welcome and greetings to all distinguished delegates from the participating countries and organizations. I also take this opportunity to thank the INTERPOL for choosing New Delhi as the venue of this important Conference.

We all live in a world of stirring changes. Today, we are witnessing a knowledge revolution. This century has witnessed knowledge workers bringing greater benefits to the society through extensive use of information and communication technologies. The cyber-space has emerged as the popular market place for information sharing and exchange of ideas. We now have the software, computer and Internet - all designed to promote efficient services, higher productivity and greater convenience, reducing the gap in both space and time to bring the world closer. Certainly, there could be no two views about the relevance and utility of Information Technology in our modern day lives.

Unfortunately, the information and communication technologies are also being misused by anti-social elements in aid and furtherance of their nefarious activities. Of late, extraordinary and unprecedented cyber crimes have taken place across the globe, exposing gaping holes in the crime management system. Finding a solution to multiple dimensions of cyber crimes is certainly not easy; yet we must make collective efforts to find a solution. It is in this context that a conference, such as this, assumes critical significance.

For one, there are competing requirements in cyber space, which need to be balanced. Requirement of individual privacy as opposed to need for regulation is one such area. Users feel that ‘privacy’ is a founding pillar of internet and any attempt to regulate this aspect is unwarranted. On the other side, the Law Enforcement Agencies feel that social concerns regarding safety of cyber space and prevention of cyber crimes can only be addressed with the same level of regulations as are prevalent in the physical world. I hope, this conference would be able to suggest ways of balancing these and similar other conflicting requirements.

As we all know, solving cyber crimes involves specialized and complex investigations. We should, therefore, provide the law enforcement agencies adequate domain-specific exposures and training. R&D must receive due priority. We should also endeavour to create greater users’ awareness so that the victims become a crucial link in the investigative process. Users need to be educated on the issues of cyber security to achieve greater success in crime solving. Harmonisation of national laws, standardization of procedures and technologies to collect and preserve the electronic evidence are also critical to successfully address the problem.

India has been playing a seminal role in areas of Information Technology. We intend to achieve similar excellence in cyber crime investigation too. A beginning in this direction was made in the year 2000 when Central Bureau of Investigation established a Cyber Crime Investigation Cell. Over the years, the Cell has acquired a lot of experience and expertise in investigation of cyber crimes. We are in the process of further up-grading and modernizing the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell. CBI has also been regularly rendering assistance to foreign countries in cyber crime investigations and has also co-investigated cases with law enforcement agencies from other countries. I am sure that this Conference will provide the CBI yet another opportunity to further build upon its capabilities and preparedness to meet the challenges ahead.

I, once again, compliment the CBI and the INTERPOL for organizing this very important Conference. I am sure that the deliberations of this Conference will help evolve ingenious ways of cyber crime investigations and greater international cooperation. With these words, I wish the Conference all success.

Thank you.