Cybercrime prevention starts with awareness, says Assam Police AIG

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 29, 2024

Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Assam Police, Pranab Jyoti Goswami on Tuesday emphasized the importance of awareness and common sense as primary defences against cybercrime.

“Simple practices like creating strong, unique passwords and being cautious about clicking on suspicious links can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks,” Goswami said while delivering a special lecture on Cyber Security Awareness organised by the Department of Mass Communication & Journalism (MCJ), Tezpur University on Tuesday.

Presently working as the chief public relations officer (CPRO) of Assam Police, Goswami also held the position of Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Assam.

Goswami’s insightful presentation delved into the evolution of the Internet, tracing its origins to ARPANET (Technical foundation of the Internet). He discussed the subsequent development of IT laws and regulations, particularly the Information Technology Act, designed to address the growing challenges of cybercrime.

The AIGP also explained the significance of data-sharing protocols and the critical role of ethical hacking in identifying vulnerabilities in digital systems.

Goswami also touched upon the alarming issue of cybercrime in the financial sector, including stock market investment fraud. He emphasized the need for vigilance and awareness among individuals and organizations to safeguard their digital assets.

Prof Farheena Danta, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences informed the audience about a recent phenomenon called digital arrest.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Prof. Abhijit Bora, Head, the Department of MCJ, highlighted how the rapid digitization of various aspects of our lives has led to growing cyberattacks.

Goswami also attended a special session was the students on the topic and answered queries.