Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh: A Collaborative Approach to Combat Cybercrime

Lucknow, the heart of Uttar Pradesh, played host to the second and final day of the much-anticipated Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh event, organized by the Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF) and powered by Paytm. Held at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, this event brought together key stakeholders from law enforcement, academia, and the cybersecurity industry to address the pressing issues surrounding cyber threats and digital crime in the state.

Empowering Stakeholders Against Cybercrime

The event commenced with an inspiring message from Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya. He praised FCRF’s initiative for conducting the Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh program, emphasizing the importance of such events in providing cybersecurity training to police officers across various districts. Maurya reiterated the state’s commitment to combating cyber threats in the digital age and commended FCRF for spearheading this crucial initiative.

The event garnered support from various esteemed organizations, including Resecurity, the IIMT group of colleges, SysTools, the ISEA program of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Uttar Pradesh Police, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and the Innovation Hub, UP (AKTU).

Keynote Address: Tackling Emerging Cyber Threats

The highlight of the day was the keynote address delivered by Dr. G.K. Goswamy, IPS, Director of the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences (UPSIFS). Dr. Goswamy captivated the audience with his insights into the evolving landscape of cybercrime. He presented case studies on alarming trends such as cyber slavery, digital arrest, AI-enabled crimes, and sophisticated phishing schemes. His engaging presentation underscored how cybercriminals exploit technological advancements, often staying one step ahead of law enforcement.

One of the most striking aspects of Dr. Goswamy’s address was his detailed examination of cyber slavery—a growing trend where individuals are lured with promises of lucrative jobs abroad, only to find themselves coerced into cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia. His insights into AI-enabled crimes highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence to be weaponized by cybercriminals, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to remain vigilant and informed about technological advancements.

Following Dr. Goswamy, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, IPS, SP Cyber Crime UP, provided a deeper analysis of cyber slavery, sharing real-world examples of how unsuspecting individuals are manipulated into illegal activities. His presentation painted a grim picture of the tactics employed by international scam rings.

Expert Insights from Industry Leaders

The event featured a range of industry leaders who shared their expertise in combating cybercrime and safeguarding digital ecosystems. Arun Shankar Chandrasekaran, Vice President of Operations & Fraud Risk for Payments and Lending, along with Parijat Tiwari, Sr. Vice President – Merchant Ops and Risk at Paytm, delivered a compelling presentation on the rising threat of financial fraud. They highlighted the increasing sophistication of fraudsters and urged the financial industry to collaborate in mitigating risks.

Santosh Khadsare, Chief Technology Officer for Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) at SysTools, conducted an engaging session on digital forensics and incident response strategies. He emphasized the necessity of effective tools and frameworks to investigate and resolve cyber incidents efficiently.

Panel Discussions: Collaborative Solutions for Law Enforcement

One of the most impactful sessions of the day was a panel discussion focused on the challenges faced by law enforcement in digital investigations. The panel featured top cybersecurity experts and law enforcement officers, including Vivek Ranjan Rai, ACP, Noida; Muslim Khan, Cyber Wing, PHQ; Anoop Yadav, Cyber Wing, PHQ; Naveen Singh, Cybersecurity Expert; and Avinash Kumar Singh, Research Scholar.

The panelists discussed real-life challenges encountered by law enforcement while investigating digital crimes, such as cross-border collaboration, encryption, and the need for continuous skill upgrades. The consensus was clear: effective law enforcement requires collaboration between the private sector, academia, and governmental bodies.

Protecting Women and Children Online

A special session dedicated to the online safety of women and children highlighted the dangers posed to vulnerable populations in the digital age. Key speakers included Mehnaz Perveen, Vice President of Trust & Safety at Paytm; Dr. Manini Srivastava, Assistant Professor at the University of Lucknow; Rahul Mishra, Cybersecurity Expert; Prof. Triveni Singh, Chief Mentor, FCRF; Shivendra Kumar Singh, Senior Security Engineer at Incedo; and Alok Verma, Cybersecurity Researcher at Avenir Innovative Solutions.

The panel discussed the rising cases of cyber harassment, online exploitation, and grooming, emphasizing the urgent need for education and tools to empower women and children to protect themselves from cybercriminals.

Securing Critical Infrastructure and Combating Financial Fraud

The event also addressed the critical issue of securing the state’s vital infrastructure against cyber threats. During the session on Rising Financial Fraud and Securing Critical Infrastructure, speakers from various sectors shared strategies for safeguarding financial institutions and essential services. The panel included Ravi Chandra Yadav, Faculty Member (AGM), BIRD, Lucknow; Manoj Kumar Kushwaha, Manager IT, HDFC Education and Development Services Pvt. Ltd.; Ashish Verma, Zonal Manager – North-East, Fraud Prevention Unit, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd.; Sameep Agarwal, Founder & CISO, Triune Digital Security; and Ashutosh Kumar, Security Architect II.

Each speaker emphasized the urgent need to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, warning that a single security breach could have devastating consequences for the state’s economy and safety.

Building a Cyber-Resilient Future

As the event drew to a close, the overarching message resonated: cybersecurity is a collective responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of law enforcement, industry experts, and the general public. The Future Crime Research Foundation successfully brought these groups together, fostering collaboration and inspiring action. Participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to combatting the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Cyber Safe Uttar Pradesh stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by the digital world. By working together, the state can build a more secure and resilient future, ensuring that its citizens are protected in an increasingly interconnected environment.