Signing of MOU with CP Shri Milind Bharambe IPS, Jt CP Shri Yenpure IPS, Addl CP (Crime) Shri Deepak Sakore IPS, and Navi Mumbai Cyber Yodha team members
During the pandemic in 2020-21, when we were all forced to go online, digital transactions surged significantly, including the transition to remote work. We are now experiencing what can be termed a “SCAMDEMIC,” negatively impacting all segments of society.
Citizens are being defrauded due to greed, fear, and a lack of awareness about cybersecurity. Regular education on cyber hygiene, explained in simple terms, is crucial at this time.
To implement effective preventive measures, a group of industry professionals dedicated to raising cybersecurity awareness among the citizens of Navi Mumbai came together in September 2021. They informally established the Navi Mumbai Cyber Yodha (NMCY) to promote cybersecurity awareness, especially for the elderly, educational institutions, and to assist the Navi Mumbai Police with various technical challenges and training, all on a pro bono basis.
The group currently consists of 15 Information Technology and Cyber Security experts who permanently reside in Navi Mumbai.
The NMCY gained further strength when Sh. Ahmad Javed, IPS (Retd), former Commissioner of Police for Navi Mumbai and Mumbai, and former Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, agreed to join us as the Chief Mentor.
In February 2024, several NMCY members met with the Navi Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Shri Milind Bharambe, IPS, who is known to be tech-savvy. After an extensive discussion, it was decided that both groups would collaborate in a structured manner with a defined scope of work. A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed between NMCY and the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate to ensure continued collaboration despite potential transfers of senior police officers.
Navi Mumbai Cyber Youth (NMCY) was officially launched in June 2024 through an internal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). On August 14, 2024, a formal MoU was signed with the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate.
Since then, NMCY has closely collaborated with Shri Milind Bharambe, IPS, the Commissioner of Police, and his team, including Senior Inspector Shri Gajanan Kadam, head of the Navi Mumbai Cyber Crime Police Station. Their efforts began in March and focus on several key areas:
- Cybersecurity Advisory and Consultancy: Providing guidance to the Navi Mumbai Police Department regarding cybersecurity issues.
- Training: Offering workshops, seminars, and training sessions aimed at enhancing the skills of police officers.
- Awareness Campaigns: Educating residents of Navi Mumbai—especially citizens, students, and senior citizens—about the importance of cybersecurity and best practices for protecting against cyber threats.
- Collaboration: Building a network of cybersecurity professionals to share knowledge, collaborate on security initiatives, and address cybersecurity challenges.
- Cyber Hygiene: Encouraging good cyber habits to prevent common security breaches and attacks.
In collaboration with CDAC Kharghar and Pune, a two-day training session on drones, antidrones, and awareness of DGCA rules was organised for the Navi Mumbai Police.
To promote cyber awareness, a WhatsApp channel was launched on August 14, 2024, by the Navi Mumbai Police. NMCY is contributing to content creation alongside CDAC and other digital marketing organisations, ensuring that cybersecurity information is available in regional languages for citizens.
Cyber awareness sessions are being planned for Cooperative Housing Societies throughout Navi Mumbai. NMCY, in partnership with the Cyber Crime Police Station, has also started hosting sessions via the Navi Mumbai Police Facebook Live Utility on weekends—either Friday or Saturday evenings at 8 PM. Recordings of these sessions will be made available for future viewing.
NMCY is currently accepting a limited number of interns from colleges in Navi Mumbai.
Future Plans (To assist in):
Introducing blockchain or another mechanism as additional security for the Evidence Management System.
Implementing a Drone Training and Research & Development Centre in Navi Mumbai.
Establishing a basic standalone Cyber Forensic Lab for the Commissionerate.
