Cybersecurity Resources & Legal References

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Cyber Laws & Regulations

Information Technology Act, 2000

The primary legislation dealing with cybercrime in India. Key sections cover unauthorized access, data theft, and digital fraud.

• Sec 43: Penalty for damage to computer systems
• Sec 66: Computer related offenses
• Sec 66B-C: Identity theft & cheating

IT Amendment Act, 2008

Introduced key provisions for data protection and cybersecurity, including sections on cyber terrorism and data privacy.

• Sec 66F: Cyber terrorism
• Sec 67B: Child pornography
• Sec 72A: Privacy breaches

Digital Data Protection Bill

India's framework for personal data protection, covering collection, storage, processing and transfer of digital data.

• Data Principal Rights
• Data Fiduciary Obligations
• Cross-Border Processing Rules

Other Relevant Legislations:

Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Many IPC sections apply to cyber crimes including fraud, forgery, and defamation when committed digitally.

Copyright Act, 1957

Protects against software piracy and digital copyright infringement.

Banking Regulations

Cover fraudulent online transactions and digital banking security.

Aadhaar Act, 2016

Regulates use of Aadhaar data with strict penalties for misuse.

Indian Penal Code Sections for Cyber Crimes (1-511)

Section	Description	Cyber Application
IPC 420	Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property	Online financial frauds, phishing scams, fake job offers
IPC 463	Forgery	Creating fake documents/digital signatures, altering digital records
IPC 499	Defamation	Online character assassination, fake reviews, social media smears
IPC 503	Criminal intimidation	Cyberstalking, threatening emails/messages, revenge porn
IPC 511	Punishment for attempting to commit offenses	Attempted cyber crimes, unsuccessful hacking attempts

Note on IPC Application:

Many IPC sections are invoked along with IT Act provisions in cyber crime cases. IPC sections often provide for more stringent punishment compared to equivalent IT Act provisions. Courts have ruled these laws should be read together when applied to digital offenses.

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Cyber Crime Penalties & Fines

Criminal Penalties

Unauthorized Access (Sec 43 IT Act) Up to ₹5 lakh

Damage to computer system or data
Hacking (Sec 66 IT Act) Up to ₹5 lakh + 3 years jail

With dishonest/ fraudulent intent
Cyber Terrorism (Sec 66F) Life Imprisonment

Threatening national security
Child Pornography (Sec 67B) Up to 7 years + ₹10 lakh

Publishing/distributing abusive content

Civil Liabilities

Data Breach Compensation Up to ₹5 crore

For failure to protect sensitive data
Online Defamation Compensation + Damages

Civil suits for reputation harm
Copyright Violation ₹50k-₹2 lakh per work

For software/movie/music piracy
Impersonation Fraud ₹25k-₹5 lakh + damages

Fake profiles, ID theft cases

Enhanced Penalties for Corporate Entities

Financial Institutions

Up to 4% of global turnover

For serious data breaches or non-compliance

Social Media Platforms

₹5-50 lakh per violation

For failure to address illegal content

Critical Infrastructure

2x standard penalties

For attacks on power grids, transportation etc.

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Government Cybersecurity Resources

CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)

National nodal agency for cybersecurity incidents

• 24/7 Incident Reporting: incident@cert-in.org.in
• Helpline: 1800-11-4949
• Website: https://www.cert-in.org.in
• Publishes monthly vulnerability notes, alerts and best practice guides

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

Single platform for reporting all cyber crimes

• Website: https://cybercrime.gov.in
• Mobile App: "CyberDost" for reporting
• 24x7 Helpline: 1930
• Categories: Financial frauds, social media crimes, hacking etc.

MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT)

Formulates cybersecurity policies and regulations

• Website: https://www.meity.gov.in
• Data Governance Framework
• National Cyber Security Policy
• Skill Development Initiatives

NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Center)

Protects nations critical information infrastructure

• Sectors: Power, Banking, Telecom, Transport etc.
• Threat Intelligence Sharing
• Security Guidelines & Audits
• Website: https://nciipc.gov.in

State-Level Cyber Crime Cells

Delhi Cyber Crime Cell

Helpline: 011-20878191

Email: cybercelldelhi@delhipolice.gov.in

Mumbai Cyber Crime Cell

Helpline: 022-22630873

Email: ccps.mum@mahapolice.gov.in

Bengaluru Cyber Crime Cell

Helpline: 080-22943050

Email: cybercrimeps-bcp@ksp.gov.in

Cybersecurity Emergency Contacts

Additional Emergency Contacts

Medical Emergency

Ambulance & Disaster Response

108
Fire Brigade

24/7 Fire emergency services

101
Railway Police

Train/railway related emergencies

1512
Road Accident Emergency

Highway accidents & breakdowns

1073
Senior Citizen Helpline

Elder care & abuse prevention

14567
Drugs/Substance Abuse

National toll-free helpline

1800-11-0031
Suicide Prevention

Connecting NGO crisis support

+91-9820466726

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National Helplines

National Cyber Crime Helpline

For reporting all cyber crimes

1930
Police Emergency

For immediate danger situations

100
Women's Helpline

Cyber stalking/harassment cases

1091
Child Helpline

Child sexual abuse material reporting

1098

Banking/Financial Fraud Contacts

Immediate Fraud Reporting

For UPI/wallet/banking frauds

1930 or +91-9289292929
Bank Mandatory Contacts
- SBI Cyber Cell: 1800-11-1109
- HDFC Bank: 1800-266-4332
- ICICI Bank: 1800-1080
- RBI Complaint: 14440

Social Media/Platform Reporting

Facebook/Instagram Report Abuse
Twitter/X Report Account
WhatsApp +91-9999666555
Google (Gmail/YouTube) Report Content

For account hacking: Report to platform AND cyber crime cell with screenshot evidence

Email Reporting Templates

For Financial Fraud:

Subject: Fraudulent Transaction Report [Ref: Your Mobile No.]
To: [bank email] + cybercrime@.gov.in

Details: Transaction ID, Amount, Date, Time, Account No., Screenshots
FIR details if already filed

For Social Media Hacking:

Subject: Account Compromise Report [Username/URL]
To: platform support + cybercell@.gov.in

Details: Profile URL, Date of hacking, Last access details
Attach: ID proof, Original email/phone proofs