UPSC Mains 2020 GS3 Q9 — Cyber security
Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Discuss
- Scope keywords
- different types of cyber crimesmeasures requiredfight the menace
- Implicit sub-parts
- Classification of cyber crimes based on targets (individuals, property, or government).
- Analysis of contemporary threats like Ransomware-as-a-Service and Deepfakes.
- Evaluation of existing institutional frameworks (I4C, CERT-In) vs. missing legislative gaps.
- The role of international cooperation and the 'Budapest Convention' debate.
- Common pitfalls
- Providing a generic list of crimes without highlighting evolving trends like social engineering or state-sponsored APTs.
- Spending 100+ words on 'types' and leaving no room for specific 'measures' beyond vague suggestions like 'awareness'.
- Ignoring the legal pillar (IT Act 2000) and focusing only on technical software solutions.
- Failing to mention the 'human element' or the lack of specialized judicial capacity in the measures section.
- Dimensions required
- Technological (AI, Encryption)Legal/Regulatory (IT Act, DPDP Act)Institutional/Administrative (I4C, NCIIPC)International/Geopolitical (Cross-border data flow, Extradition)Social/Psychological (Digital literacy)
- Marks allocation hint
Devote 60 words to categorizing types with brief examples like phishing and cyber-terrorism, then use 70 words to detail a three-pronged approach for measures (Legal, Institutional, and Technical). Use the remaining 20 words for a forward-looking conclusion on digital sovereignty.
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