‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ Campaign will Significantly Reduce Cyber Crime: UP Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh

Greater Noida, 22nd August 2024: A significant stride towards enhancing cybersecurity in Uttar Pradesh was achieved with the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics & Incident Response (CoE-DFIR) at the IIMT Ladder Business Foundation (IIMT-LBF). This state-of-the-art facility, developed in collaboration with the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF), aims to address the growing need for digital forensics expertise and cybersecurity awareness across the state. The CoE-DFIR is poised to become a hub for advanced research, training, and practical applications in the field of digital forensics and incident response, contributing significantly to the state’s efforts to combat cybercrime.

Event Overview:

The event commenced with the arrival and registration of participants, followed by a series of impactful speeches from various dignitaries. The program included an introduction and felicitation of the guests, the official inauguration of the CoE-DFIR, the launch of the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, and a lab visit.

Keynote Speakers:

– Shri Dayashankar Singh, MoS, Transport, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who served as the Chief Guest, stressed the importance of the initiative reaching every corner of the state. He remarked, “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, played a pivotal role in launching the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, which aims to create widespread awareness about cyber threats. This initiative is a crucial component of FCRF’s Uttar Pradesh strategy to strengthen the state’s digital defenses.

– Dr. Mayank Agarwal, Managing Director of IIMT Group of Colleges, highlighted the commitment of IIMT to support law enforcement agencies with cutting-edge forensic, state-of-the-art Cyber Forensic Lab and investigative techniques. He stated, “We will focus on providing advanced cyber forensic and investigation techniques to assist the police and ensure swift justice.”

– Abhay Sharma, Chief Business Officer at Paytm, expressed strong support for FCRF’s efforts, particularly the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ campaign, reaffirming Paytm’s commitment to securing digital transactions and protecting users from cyber threats.

Additional Distinguished Speakers:

The event was further enriched by the insights of:

• 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 with 25 years of experience
• 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

Certificate Distribution and Internship Program:
One of the highlights of the event was the certificate distribution ceremony, where over 80 interns from nearly all states in India were recognized for their successful completion of the DFIR training program. These interns, who underwent rigorous training on advanced workstations and cutting-edge cyber forensic tools, are now equipped with the skills necessary to tackle the challenges of cybercrime. The program is part of a broader effort to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

Technical Sessions: The event also featured several expert-led technical sessions, focusing on various aspects of digital forensics and cybersecurity. These sessions were led by:

• Akash Verma from Tata Advanced Systems Limited, who highlighted role of cyber forensics in criminal investigations.
• Subroto Mandal, Ankita Kumari, Ignace Kiro, and Mohit Yadav from Forensic Care Technologies, who provided insights into the practical applications of forensic technologies in combating cybercrime.
• Ajay Sariyal, Product Specialist at MSAB, who highlighted the use of mobile forensics in modern investigations.
• Ashish Upreti, India Head at Magnet Forensics, who discussed advanced digital forensic solutions.
• Naveen Kumar Singh, Founder of Power Forensics & Digital Intelligence, who shared his expertise on integrating forensic intelligence into crime-solving efforts.

The Campaign’s Next Event in Lucknow:

The event also announced the next significant milestone in the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ initiative. The campaign’s next event is scheduled to take place in Lucknow on 17th October at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. This event will continue to build on the momentum generated by the launch, with a focus on further expanding the reach and impact of the campaign across the state. FutureCrime Warriors will be the flag-bearers of this campaign.

The inauguration of the CoE-DFIR and the launch of the ‘Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh’ initiative represent a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat cybercrime. With continued support from government, industry, and academia, these initiatives are expected to have a profound impact on the safety and security of Uttar Pradesh’s digital landscape.

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