With the rapidly increasing economic online activities , there are  occurrences of many cases of cyber crimes including online credit card scams , e-mail related crimes such as spoofing, sending threatening e-mails, defamatory mails and frauds on companies, software piracy, SMS hacking, cloning of mobiles, etc. Computers and cell phones play a key role in the commission of crimes such as financial fraud and identity theft. Because computer and network security incidents are increasing, Computer & Digital Forensics majors are in particularly high demand presently.

Course Objectives : 

l    To understand various types of risks in computerized and networked operations

l    To learn to capture clues of a potential computer crime in the making

l    To know about approaches to investigation of computer crimes

l    To comprehend the proactive measures for preventing computer crimes

l    To familiarize the defensive techniques of damage control

Course Contents :

l    Analysis of Digital Media

l    Computer Forensics

l    Cyber crime

l    Introduction to criminalist-ics

l    White collar crime

l    Fundamentals of cyber laws

l    E-commerce-Legal issues

l    Intellectual Property Issues and Cyberspace

l    Cyber crime and Digital Evidence

Some of the Subjects Included in the Program Are :

l    Courts and the Criminal Justice System

l    Criminal Justice Organization and Administration

l    Principles of Policing and Law Enforcement

l    Law Enforcement Reporting and Recording

l    Correctional Programs: Probation and Parole

l    Criminal Investigation

l    Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation

l    The Criminalistics of Cyber crime

l    Policing Techniques: Interviewing and Interrogation

l    Essentials of Security

l    Aviation Security

l    Crime Prevention

l    Multicultural Law Enforcement

l    Substance Abuse and Crime in America

l    Gangs and Juvenile Justice

l    The Criminalistics of Computer Forensics

l    Controversial Issues in Law Enforcement

l    Homeland Security

Institutions Offering Courses:

Some institutes offering various professional courses in Cyber-Laws are:

1.  Symbiosis Society’s Law College, Pune, and NALSAR University ( www.nalsarpro. org ).

2.  Asian School of Cyber Laws, Pune (www.asianlaws.org).

3.  Indian Institute of Information and Technology, Allahabad
( www.iiita.ac.in).

4.  Center for Distance Education, University of Hyderabad (www.uohy.ernet.in).

5.  Amity Law School, Delhi.
(www.amity.org).

6.  Department of Law, University of Delhi (www.du.ac.in).

7.  National Law School of India, University Bangalore - 72. (www.nls.ac.in)

8.  National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of Law, Hyderabad-560027. (www.reachout hyderabad.com ).

9.  Cyber Law College NAAVI in Chennai, Mysore, Hubli, Mangalore and Bangalore
(www.cyberlawcollege.com).

10.  Champlain College  163 South Willard St. Burlington, VT 05401, USA http://www.champlain.edu.

Various Courses Offered : 

Various courses offered by Asian School of Cyber Laws, Pune are : 

1.  Diploma in cyber law (Distance and classroom mode)

2.  Advanced Diploma in Cyber Law (Distance mode only):

3.  ASCL Certified Cyber Crime Investigator (Distance and classroom mode)

[1] Diploma in Cyber Law : This is  recognized by Government of Maharashtra.

Conducted jointly by Asian School of Cyber Laws and   Government Law College, Mumbai.

Contact classes and exam centers in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Ernakulum.

Plus exam centers in Hyderabad and Kolkata.

This course is only available to Indian citizens resident in India.

Course Fees: Rs. 3,600 (Distance Mode), Rs 4,600 (Classroom Mode at Mumbai).

Fees Module : 

Serving Police, Defence and Revenue officers from any Indian state/U.T. : Rs. 6,500

Magistrates/Judges/Adjudicating Officers from any Indian state/U.T: Rs. 6,500

Students/alumni of P.G Diploma in Cyber Law course : Rs. 5,000

Students/alumni of Diploma in Cyber Law course : Rs. 6,000

Students/alumni of any course conducted by Asian School of Cyber Laws : Rs. 6,500

Students/alumni of any course conducted by ASCL Law School: Rs. 6,500

Admission Procedure : 

Admissions to the Post Graduate Program in Cyber Security & Incident Response are based on an all India entrance exam. Entrance Exam details are :—

1.  The exam has duration of 2 hours and is computer based.

2.  The entrance exam fee is Rs. 1,000.

3.  The entrance exams are conducted online.

4.  The scores of the entrance exam are valid for 1 year.

Job Potential :

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for correctional officers, law enforcement officers and security officers is projected to increase as much as 35% through 2010.

Career Prospects : 

l    Advisors to the web developers.

l    Advisors in the Ministry of Information and Technology or in Corporate Houses.

l    Cyber Consultant in an IT firm, police department or in banks.

l    Research assistants in a law firm .

l    Research assistants in a technology firm.

l    Security Auditors and Network Administrators in Technology firms.

l    Trainers in law schools and Multinational Corporations.

Real World Cyber Crime Investigations in

l    Income Tax Raid case 

l    Source Code theft case 

l    Cyber Sabotage case 

l    Lottery Fraud case 

l    Accounting Fraud case 

l    Digital Signature Fraud case 

l    Investigation Guidelines 

Conclusion :

Computer forensics experts are often called as “Cyber Cops”, “Cyber Investigators” or “Digital Detectives”.  The cyber law market is growing fast and it will continue to grow beyond imagination. Every individual is a potential victim to cyber crime. Everything is becoming cyber and the concerns of maintaining security of the information on the internet is also growing. Therefore there are tremendous career opportunities in almost every field from law to the IT Industry. The need of the time is to utilize the vast potential of Information Technologies for peaceful purposes and progressive economic development of India.

(The author is Faculty-Mech. Engg; Government College of Engineering, Amravati-444604 (Maha)-India)