The Karnataka government has unveiled a dedicated Cyber Command, a comprehensive new initiative aimed at consolidating the State’s response to cybercrime, cybersecurity threats, and online misinformation. Headed by a Director General of Police (DGP)-rank officer, this marks a transformative shift in how Karnataka handles the complex and rapidly evolving challenges in cyberspace.
For the first time, the State brings together all cyber-related functions — previously scattered across various arms of the State Police and E-Governance Department — under one cohesive structure. This long-awaited move is expected to significantly enhance coordination and effectiveness in tackling digital threats.
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Pronab Mohanty, currently serving as DGP (Cybercrimes and Narcotics) in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), will now lead the Cyber Command. The unit will operate initially with the existing resources of the CID.
This development comes in the wake of an alarming rise in cyber incidents across the State. Karnataka has recorded over 52,000 cybercrime cases in the past four years, the highest among southern States.
Bengaluru alone accounts for nearly 20% of all cybercrimes in Indian megacities. Recent attacks, including a major DDoS strike on the Kaveri 2.0 system, which disrupted property registrations, have underscored the urgent need for a unified and strategic response.
Under the new framework, all 45 cybercrime police stations across Karnataka will now report directly to the DGP (Cyber Command), who will also serve as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the State. This dual role ensures a seamless approach to both cybercrime investigation and critical infrastructure protection.
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Further strengthening this integrated approach, the DGP (Cyber Command) will be part of the Special Empowered Committee, chaired by the Home Minister, as well as the Multi-Department Coordination Committee that addresses misinformation and disinformation.
In a noteworthy administrative change, the DGP (Cyber Command) will report to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, rather than the traditional DG&IGP of the Karnataka State Police — highlighting the State’s recognition of the multi-agency nature of cyber governance.