Nasscom to set up cyber labs in more cities

In talks with State Bank of Hyderabad, Andhra Bank for funding a lab in Hyderabad

To strengthen the investigating skills of enforcement agencies with regard to cyber crime, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) is setting up cyber labs in Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The association is also looking at cities like Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi for the same. Such labs have already been set up in Mumbai and Thane.

"In the wake of the increasing number of cyber crimes in the country, we are setting up cyber labs in various cities and are in talks with industry people for the funding," Nandkumar Saravade, director, cyber security and compliance, Nasscom, said.

An investment of Rs 35 lakh to Rs 40 lakh is required to run a cyber lab for a period of two years. While Persistent Systems has come forward to fund the lab in Pune, Canara Bank has taken the initiative in Bangalore.

In Hyderabad, Nasscom is in talks with the State Bank of Hyderabad and Andhra Bank for the same.

Meanwhile, the association will also be shortly starting a website - www.indiacyberlab.in - to educate the general public on cyber security. The website will also list out various cases of cyber crime and the judgements given thereon.

To enhance cyber security, Saravade said, the industry required a better definition of cyber crime. "The reporting levels of cyber crime also need to go up," he said.

Saravade was speaking on the sidelines of a three-day programme on cyber safety organised in Hyderabad by Nasscom.

According to B Ramalinga Raju, chairman of Satyam Computer Services Limited, India needed to ensure cyber security to maintain the balance of payments.

"We need to ensure that global customers do not move away to other countries," he added.