Police gets independent cyber unit with over 4,500 members

The government has formed an independent Cyber Police Unit under the leadership of an Additional Inspector General of Police. The unit formally began its journey at the Police Headquarters on Thursday afternoon. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed inaugurated it.

Speaking at a press conference after the inauguration, the Home Minister said Additional Inspector General of Police Md Iqbal Hossain will be in charge of the new Cyber Police Unit. A total of 4,592 police members will serve under him. Deputy Inspectors General of Police at the divisional level and Superintendents of Police at the district level will lead this unit. Members at the Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector and Constable levels will also be recruited at the police station level. All cyber crime divisions of the police will be brought under this unit.

The Home Minister said that initially, the unit's activities will be conducted by taking as many necessary members as possible from the existing manpower. Later, full manpower will be built through recruitment. The unit will have modern cyber-related equipment. Emphasis will be placed on special skills in tackling cybercrime in this technology and talent-driven organisation.

The Home Minister remarked that with the rise of artificial intelligence and cyber-related activities at present, there is a need for the police to move away from old ways of thinking. He said the importance of digital evidence and forensic technology in crime investigation and the judicial process has now increased. The use of forensic and digital technology is needed in various fields, including drugs, terrorism, financial crime, social security and cybercrime.

Highlighting the need for forming the Cyber Police Unit, Salahuddin Ahmed said that as work had been done in an unorganised manner in various ways so far, there were some problems in coordination. These activities will be conducted in a coordinated manner through the new unit. He expressed hope that this unit will play an important role in tackling various types of crimes committed using cyberspace.

The Home Minister also said that the Cyber Police Unit will need personnel with special knowledge of cyber patrolling and cybercrime. For this, various posts have been created, including system analyst, financial intelligence analyst, cybersecurity expert, emergency response specialist, network administrator, disaster recovery specialist, content developer, cryptanalyst, malware analyst, dark web analyst, communications specialist and social media analyst.

The minister said these experts will have the opportunity to be appointed on a contractual basis, and a separate pay structure will be kept for them. It may not be possible to get all types of experts through the regular police recruitment process. Therefore, skilled manpower will be taken from outside as needed. At the same time, officers already trained in cyber matters within the police will also be initially included in this unit.

The Home Minister also said arrangements have been made for higher training of police officers in the country and abroad to tackle cybercrime. A team will be brought back after training abroad on this matter. They will play a role in monitoring, guiding and leading the unit's activities. Alongside experts, emphasis is being placed on making these officers skilled.

Arrangements have also been made to provide incentives to those working as experts in the Cyber Police Unit. The minister said there will be a separate structure for experts appointed on a contract basis.

Meanwhile, the Home Minister also said the process of making cyber security laws more modern is underway. Views have been exchanged with various stakeholders, journalists and experts on this matter. The amended or new law will include defining cyber-related crimes more specifically. He also said importance is being given to ensuring that the media and journalists are not subjected to misuse of the law.