Cyber forensic lab to be set up in Gurgaon soon

To enhance technological capabilities of police to monitor social media

The Haryana government has decided to establish a state-of-the-art Cyber Forensic Laboratory in the Millennium City due to an alarming increase in the number of cyber crimes in the State, particularly in Gurgaon, over the past few years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will soon be signed between the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) and the Haryana Police in this regard. The number of cyber crime complaints has nearly doubled with each passing year in Gurgaon. Of these, economic fraud tops the list.

Electronic evidence

Gurgaon Commissioner of Police Navdeep Virk said the setting up of the laboratory will expedite investigations into cyber crimes, including forensic examination of electronic evidence related to the case, and complainants will get relief faster. Currently, all electronic evidence is sent to laboratories in Karnal, Chandigarh and Rohini.

The setting up of the laboratory is also aimed at enhancing technological capabilities of the Haryana Police for monitoring of social media.

“Social networking websites have become the cheapest and fastest mode for dissemination of information. Monitoring of social media in this day and age of the Internet, especially in the event of riots such as the recent Jat reservation agitation and civil unrest, is a must. Currently, we did not have adequate tools for monitoring social media. The enhancement of technological capabilities for such monitoring is the need of the hour,” added Mr. Virk.

While the NTRO will be responsible for extending technical support, customised equipment, hardware, software, servers, workstations, application and training to set up cyber forensic laboratory, including capability of social media monitoring, the Haryana Police will provide about 3,000 square feet for establishing laboratory and training facility. The NTRO will depute technical experts at the laboratory for providing training and smooth functioning of the lab, whereas the Haryana Police will depute personnel on round-the-clock basis for day-to-day manning of the facility and maintenance. All recurring expenditure for managing the facility and consumable items will be borne by the Haryana Police.

A team of NTRO also visited the CID Technical Analysis Wing and discussed various aspects of social media monitoring and unauthorised usage of satellite phones. Cyber crime complaints are currently handled by the cyber crime branch of the Gurgaon Police. A separate cyber cell has also been set up to help the police investigate traditional crimes like murder, robbery, kidnapping, etc. The State government is also planning to set up a cyber crime police station in Gurgaon.