Cyber Law

"The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb".
                      
                  National Research Council, U S A " Computers at Risk". 1991

Need of Cyber Law

• Internet has dramatically changed our life.
• Transition from paper to paperless world.
• Laws of real world cannot be interpreted in the light of emerging cyberspace.
• Internet requires an enabling and supportive legal infrastructure to tune with the times.

Cyber Law ?

• Cyber Law is the law governing cyber space.
• Cyber space includes computers. networks, software's, data storage devices (such as hard disks, USB disks etc), the Internet, websites, emails and even electronic devices such as cell phones, ATM.

Cyber Crime

• Any crime with the help of computer and telecommunication technology.
• Any crime where either the computer is used as an object or subject.

Categories of Cyber Crime

• Cybercrimes against persons
• Cybercrimes against property.
• Cybercrimes against government. 

Statistics of Cyber Crimes

IT ACT - 2000

• The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), came into force on 17 October 2000.
• The primary purpose of the Act is to provide legal recognition to electronic commerce and to facilitate filing of electronic records with the Government.
• Information Technology Act 2000 consisted of 94 sections segregated into 13 chapters.

IT ACT-2000 : Objectives

• To provide legal recognition for transactions
• To facilitate electronic filing of documents with the Government agencies.
• To amend the Indian Penal Code, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, The Banker's Book Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• Aims to provide the legal framework to all electronic records.

IT ACT Amendment - 2008

• The Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008 (IT Act 2008) has been passed by the parliament on 23rd December 2008.
• It received the assent of President of India on 5th February, 2009.
• The IT Act 2008 has been notified on October 27, 2009.
• ITA-2008, is a new version of IT Act 2000.
• Provides additional focus on Information Security.
• Added several new sections on offences including Cyber Terrorism and Data Protection.
• 124 sections and 14 chapters.
• Schedule I and II have been replaced ^ Schedules III and I are deleted.

Importance of Cyber Law

• We are living in highly digitalized world.
• All companies depend upon their computer networks and keep their Valuable data in electronic form.
• Government forms including income tax returns company law forms etc are now filled in electronic form.
• Consumers are increasingly using credit cards for shopping.
• Most people are using email, cell phones and SMS messages for communication.
• Even in "non-cyber crime" cases, important evidence is found in computers / cell phones e.g. in cases of divorce, murder, kidnapping, organized crime, terrorist operations, counterfeit currency etc.
• Since it touches all the aspects of transactions and activities on and concerning the Internet, the World Wide Web( WWW) and Cyberspace therefore Cyber Law is extremely important.