CHANDIGARH, February 15: The Centre for Police Administration, University Institute of
Emerging Areas in Social Sciences (UIEASS), Panjab University organised a special
lecture on “Current Trends in Cyber Crime and Practicing Cyber Safety” by Prof.
Sanjeev Sofat, professor and head, department of computer science and engineering and
coordinator, Cyber Security Research Centre, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh
on the PU campus here today.

    Prof Anil Monga, coordinator, Centre for Police Administration while welcoming
the participants stated that the main purpose of organising this lecture on Cyber
Crime is to disseminate information among the student community for the safe usage of
computers.  He opined that though we all are using internet, but, at the same time we
are ignorant about its pitfalls and are potential targets of cyber crime.  Therefore,
we need to be very careful while using information and communication technology.

    Prof Sanjeev Sofat began his presentation by stating that the world of cyber
crime was very complex as criminals can easily route their attacks or communications
through different countries with different legal systems.  This system of multiple
hops in which long chain makes the criminals invisible, led him to call cyber crime
as ‘Trans-National Faceless Crime’.  While highlighting the dangers of venturing into
the virtual world, he urged the users to be careful about the 3Cs, namely Content,
Contact and Commerce.  He dwelt upon the various forms of cyber crime and opined that
the security agencies are gearing up to meet this challenge by establishing cyber
cells in various police stations around the country.
    
    Prof Jitendra Mohan, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, Panjab
University in his presidential remarks advocated caution as the best strategy for
safeguarding oneself from being a target of a cyber criminal.  He advised the students
for restraining themselves while using the internet and putting appropriate filters so
that they are not trapped by unscrupulous elements.

    Dr Akshat Mehta, Assistant Professor, Centre for Police Administration, while
delivering vote of thanks stated that despite the appropriate legislations for dealing
with cyber crime in place, unfortunately, the number of cases registered under the
Information Technology Act were miniscule.

    A large number of faculty members, research scholars and students from the
Centre for Police Administration, Centre for Social Work, Centre for Human Rights and
Duties, Department of Public Administration, Department of Laws, Department of Life
Long Learning and Extension, University Institute of Fashion Technology and Vocational
Development, Department of Evening Studies, Government Colleges Sector 11 and 42
attended the presentation and took keen part in discussions.        
    
                                            Press Note
No.80