7th International Conference on Cyber-Crime
12 September 2007, New Delhi, India
Welcome address by Vijay Shanker, Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, India, and INTERPOL Executive Committee member
Printable version
Hon. Union Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patilji,
Hon. Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Suresh Pachauriji,
INTERPOL Secretary General Mr Ronald K. Noble,
Esteemed invitees, distinguished delegates, members of media, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and INTERPOL, I extend a very warm welcome to each and every one present here today. I consider it a very special privilege to extend a heartiest welcome to Shri Shivraj Patilji, Hon. Union Home Minister of India, and Shri Suresh Pachauriji, Hon. Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs, for gracing this inaugural function of the 7th Conference on Cyber-Crime. I extend a very special welcome to Mr. Ronald K. Noble, distinguished Secretary General of INTERPOL. His presence here today underlines the importance that he attaches to this conference and also to the relation between the Central Bureau of Investigation and INTERPOL. I am aware about the very busy schedule that Mr Noble has kept during last few days, travelling all the way to China, reaching New Delhi early this morning. A very special welcome to you, Mr Noble.
This conference is of utmost importance as cyber-crimes are increasingly becoming a menace and also a challenge to civil societies the world over. Sir, in this 7th Conference on Cyber-Crime, we have representation from 37 countries, Europol, UNODC, UNICR, Council of Europe, multinational information technology companies, Indian public sector undertakings and the Department of Electronics, Government of India, totalling to 176. Twenty states of the Union of India are also represented by 43 senior police officers in this conference.
Compared to conventional crime, cyber-crime presents a different set of challenges. From a victim’s perspective, the cyber-criminal is a faceless entity with whom he rarely comes into physical contact. The criminal has the capability to simultaneously attack several persons, each sitting thousands of miles away from the other. He is not bound by national boundaries and earns the proceeds of crime through electronic channels with just the click of a computer key. Notwithstanding a few notable exceptions, law enforcement officers mostly find the pattern difficult to understand. Until recently, even cyber-laws were not geared up to deal with the special evidentiary requirements of cyber-crime. There is a strong need, therefore, for concerted efforts for capacity-building and training of all those associated with the criminal justice system.
INTERPOL has made commendable efforts in promoting police-to-police co-operation in cyber-enforcement. The expert working groups set up by INTERPOL covering five geographic regions of the world have done excellent work in the practical aspects of investigation and forensics. I am sure these groups would find this forum useful for sharing the outcome of their efforts and for getting feedback from the delegates, which would help them in their future endeavours.
The CBI has spared no efforts in providing all the required facilities for the participants of this conference, which would help create an ambience for stimulating discussion. The agenda for the conference is comprehensive and it covers issues such as national security concerns, child pornography, cyber-forensics, international co-operation and emerging trends. I am confident that the delegates would find the deliberations useful.
I once again welcome you all. I hope that delegates to the conference would not only gain from the conference but shall also take out time to visit places of interest in the historic city of Delhi.
