IIT Madras Pravartak has successfully trained the first group of Cyber Commandos, a special team of law enforcement officers skilled in cybersecurity. This program aims to strengthen India's ability to fight digital crimes.
Cyber Commandos: A New Step in Cybersecurity
The Cyber Commandos program is an initiative by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It is designed to provide advanced cybersecurity, digital forensics, and threat intelligence training to law enforcement officials. Unlike traditional cybercrime units that respond after a crime happens, Cyber Commandos will work proactively to stop cyber threats before they occur.
A valedictory function was held at IIT Madras on April 1, 2025, for the first batch of 37 officers who completed their training. Many senior officials attended, including:
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Dr. Sandeep Mittal, IPS, ADGP (Cyber Crime Wing), Tamil Nadu
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Dr. Shankar Ram, CEO of IIT Madras Pravartak
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Mr. Balamurali Shankar, Chief Knowledge Officer of Pravartak
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Professor V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras
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Ms. Roopa M, IPS, Director of the Threat Analytics Unit (TAU), I4C
A Stronger Defence Against Cybercrime
Professor Kamakoti praised the officers, saying that the training gave them valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. Ms. Roopa M highlighted the need for a dynamic and skilled team to tackle modern cyber threats.
Dr. Sandeep Mittal shared shocking facts about cybercrime in India, revealing that the amount of money lost to cyberattacks in the past four years equals the savings from India’s Russian oil imports in one year. To keep officers updated, there are plans to introduce digital monitoring platforms and refresher courses.
Practical Training for Real-World Challenges
The Cyber Commandos received training in:
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Network Security
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Digital Forensics
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Ethical Hacking
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Cyber Threat Intelligence
They also worked on live cyber threats, real-time simulations, and legal aspects of cybersecurity.
A Major Step for India’s Cybersecurity
This initiative marks an important step in improving India's cyber resilience. With highly trained Cyber Commandos, law enforcement agencies will be better prepared to handle emerging digital threats and cybercrimes.
