The summit comes against the backdrop of Hyderabad seeing a 25.65 percent spurt in cybercrime in 2022 as compared to the previous year.
Published Apr 09, 2023 | 9:59 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 09, 2023 | 10:00 PM
The event will see cyber security experts, government officials, and thought leaders to discuss the current state of cybersecurity and strategies to be build. (Creative Commons)
Memories of Hyderabad residents are afresh from 2022 January AP Mahesh Cooperative Urban Bank’s cyber fraud, where criminals hacked the server and transferred over ₹12.9 crore to several accounts.
If that was not all, the police in Hyderabad unearthed a huge Chinese online investment scam to the tune of ₹903 crore in November last year.
Following such crimes, the Hyderabad City Police and the Hyderabad City Security Council (HCSC) in a joint effort will be organising the 2023 Hyderabad Annual Cybersecurity Knowledge (HACK) Summit at Taj Deccan in the Banjara Hills area of the city on 12 April.
The summit comes as cybercrimes topped the list of complaints received in 2022 in Hyderabad.
According to the National Crime Record Bureau’s 2021 report, Hyderabad ranked second in India in cybercrimes reported among cities, with 3,303 cases registered. Bengaluru led the list.
The Hyderabad cops in their 2022 annual conference said that in 2021, 7,280 cases of cybercrimes were registered, which went up to 9,148 in 2022 — a 25.65 percent spurt.
As per the cops, the event will see cyber security experts, government officials, and thought leaders discuss the current state of cybersecurity and strategies to be built.
The HACK Summit is also expected to address the skill gaps in the field and protect businesses from cyber threats.
“Cybercrime, the new endemic, has infiltrated every aspect of our society now more than ever. So, we must unite and commit to being vigilant and informed citizens and businesses,” HCSC Chairman and Commissioner of Hyderabad Police CV Anand said.
The HACK Summit also looks forward to providing a platform for networking and collaboration among cybersecurity professionals, industry leaders, and government agencies.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, ask questions, and learn from the experiences of esteemed participants,” DCP Cybercrime Sneha Mehra told South First.
As per DCP Mehra, the need to hold this event is to create awareness among people as cybercrimes are on a rise.
“Several commercial setups like banks, hospitals, and other institutions have been regularly affected by cyber threats. The awareness in our society about cybercrime is low. So, with people’s participation, the summit looks forward to increasing more awareness among the citizens,” she said.
While noting that the Hyderabad Police would be focusing on cybercrime as it was likely to target more people in the coming days, Anand told South First, “Criminals send phishing links to dupe people and people fall for them. Hence the number of victims of cybercrime is increasing. We register between 20-25 FIRs in our Commissionerate in a day.”
South First had earlier learnt that the Hyderabad Police were spending around ₹3-4 lakh daily on combating cybercrime.
#Hyderabad #police commissioner @CPHydCity spoke about #cybercrime during the annual press meet of @hydcitypolice.
"Trend of #CyberAttack ⬆️. There are around 20 types of cyber #fraud & #crime. Everyday 20-25 #FIR are registered by us." @TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/kEfeu9jSrJ
— Ajay Tomar (@ajaytomarasks) December 21, 2022
Meanwhile, the upcoming programmes of the HCSC include launching monthly business connects and a series of short films to promote awareness in the community, and continuing ongoing programs such as the cyber-smart program and a cyber squad for schoolchildren.
“These initiatives will further strengthen our commitment to a secure cyber ecosystem,” Cyber Forum Joint Secretary Santosh Kaveti said.
According to the 2021 NCRB report, Telangana topped in cybercrime case reporting in India, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
The number doubled to 10,303 in 2021 from 5,024 in 2020 in the state.
In Hyderabad, the highest number of cases — 4,850— were registered by the Cyberabad Commissionerate, followed by 2,249 cases by the Hyderabad City Police, and 2,049 in the Rachakonda Commissionerate.
Cyberabad DCP Kamleshwar Shingenavar urged people to maintain digital hygiene.
“With more services going online, there is a corresponding increase in cybercrime. I feel it will continue. People need to continuously use and update security features in their devices,” he had told South First.
