Mobile devices have more computing power than most sophisticated PCs. We have become dependent on them to the extent that once they conk out, we are utterly helpless. These vital devices store a lot of critical information. However, they are not governed by clearly laid out laws. The need of the hour is to enact a new legislation or amend the existing act, say cyber security experts.

“If you list out the top five important laws passed in this country post independence, the IT Act of 2000 would definitely be one of them. Information technology now governs every aspect of our lives,” says Pavan Duggal, advocate of the Supreme Court of India. He was part of the team that drafted the act. “However, what we now have is a grossly lopsided act. The law was amended in 2008 when there was no social media. Mobile usage was also not that prevalent. Today mobile phone plays a part in a large number of common crimes. The need of the hour is to have a law for communication devices and social media.”

Only less than 10 per cent cases get reported, says India’s most popular “ethical hacker” Ankit Fadia. “The government organisation CERT lists out reported cyber crimes in the country every month but those are only a small fraction of what is really happening. When affected individuals go to the police, the latter does not understand the cases. They promise to take care of the matter but would never file FIRs. Firms don’t report these incidents because their reputation is at stake. Clients would never work with them if they come to know that the organisation’s security is compromised.”

The main reason for increasing number of security issues is lack of awareness, says R Ramamurthy, past chairman of Cyber Society of India. For instance, people do banking transactions on their mobile phones. They store all the critical information including their PIN and passwords on the devices so they don’t forget. This is like spoon-feeding a criminal. He urges the need to popularise the importance of data insurance. In case of thefts, the insurance cover would compensate the losses.

shyamalaseetharaman@mydigitalfc.com