The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has emerged as India’s frontline defence as
- Cyber threats like ransomware, AI-driven scams, phishing, and organized financial fraud are on rise with internet connections crossing 100 crore in 2025;
- Protecting Indian cybersecurity industry, valued at$20 billion with 400+ startups and a workforce of 6.5 lakh professionals, becomes critical.
About CERT-In
- Established: In 2004 under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, CERT-In serves as the national agency for cyber incident response.
- Ministry: Ministry of Electronincs & Information Technology.
- Mandate: Cyber incidents analyzing; Issuing alerts; Coordinating with law enforcement, etc.
Initiatives taken by CERT-In
- Cyber Swachhta Kendra (CSK): The Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre provides free tools to detect and remove malicious programs.
- National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC): Scans cyberspace metadata to generate situational awareness and detect threats, facilitating real-time information sharing.
- Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs): CERT-In oversees a network of sectoral CSIRTs, such as CSIRT-Fin (Financial Sector) and CSIRT-Power, as well as State-level CSIRTs to provide specialized incident response.
- Cyber Crisis Management Plan (CCMP): A strategic framework for all government bodies to counter major cyberattacks and ensure coordinated recovery.
- Security Assurance Framework: A program under which empanelled auditors conduct regular audits and vulnerability assessments of government and critical sector systems.
Other Institutional frameworks against cyber crimes
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