DPDPA 2023 & ISO 27001 2022

Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 & ISO 27001:2022 (ISMS) 

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 is India’s first comprehensive law dedicated to the privacy of digital personal data. Enacted on 11 August 2023, it establishes a framework for processing personal data while balancing individual privacy rights with the necessity of lawful data usage. 

The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 were notified on 14 November 2025, marking the full operationalisation of the Act with a phased compliance timeline extending to 13 May 2027.

Mapping the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 (India's primary data protection law) with ISO 27001:2022 (the international standard for Information Security Management Systems) reveals a powerful synergy.

The DPDPA sets the legal "what" and "why" for personal data protection, while ISO 27001 provides the systematic "how" to implement security controls.

Here is a detailed mapping of key DPDPA obligations to relevant ISO 27001:2022 clauses and controls.

Foundational Overlap: Principles & Framework

Concept	DPDPA 2023	ISO 27001:2022	Synergy
Accountability	Section 8(4): Data Fiduciary is responsible for compliance.	Clause 5.1: Leadership must ensure and be accountable for the ISMS.	ISO 27001's management framework operationalizes DPDPA accountability.
Lawful Basis	Section 6: Requires consent or legitimate uses for processing.	A.5.34: Privacy and protection of PII - Requires implementing controls for handling PII per legal requirements.	ISO 27001 controls help enforce lawful processing rules.
Purpose Limitation	Section 5: Personal data to be used only for specified, lawful purpose.	A.5.10: Acceptance of use policies & A.5.33: Protection of records ensure data use is controlled and logged.	—

Mapping of Key DPDPA Provisions to ISO 27001

DPDPA Section & Obligation	ISO 27001:2022 Clause / Control	Explanation & Implementation Guidance
Data Principal Rights (Ch. II) Right to access, correction, erasure, grievance redressal.	A.5.3: Contact with authorities A.5.35: Responding to PII requests A.8.3: Information access restriction A.8.10: Information deletion.	ISO 27001 mandates processes for handling requests from data subjects (termed "PII principals") and ensuring data can be accessed, corrected, and deleted securely as per policy.
Data Fiduciary Duties (S.8) 1. Security Safeguards (S.8(5)) 2. Breach Notification (S.8(6)) 3. Appointment of DPO (S.8(7))	A.5.7: Threat intelligence A.5.5: Information security roles (DPO). Clause 6: Planning to address risks & opportunities. A.5.24: ICT readiness for business continuity. A.5.26: Response to information security incidents. A.5.27: Learning from incidents. A.5.31: Identification of documented information.	Security: ISO 27001's Annex A is a comprehensive control set for security (encryption, access control, etc.). Breach: Incident management process (A.5.26, A.5.27) directly supports breach identification, assessment, and notification. DPO: The standard requires defining relevant security roles and responsibilities.
Consent & Notice (S.5, S.6) Valid consent, clear notice in simple language.	A.5.12: Classification of information (to identify PII).  A.5.34: Privacy and protection of PII (requires notifying purpose of use).  A.5.10: Acceptance of use policies.	Data classification is the first step to identify what needs consent. A.5.34 explicitly requires controls for obtaining consent, providing notice, and allowing data subject choice.
Data Processor Duties (S.9) Processor must follow fiduciary's instructions.	A.5.19: Orderly removal of assets.  A.5.20: Addressing security in agreements.  A.5.21: Managing information security in the ICT supply chain.  A.5.22: Monitoring, review, and change management of supplier services.	ISO 27001's supplier security controls ensure processors are bound by contracts (A.5.20) and their performance is monitored (A.5.22). This fulfills the fiduciary's duty to ensure processor compliance.
Significant Data Fiduciary (S.10) Additional obligations: DPO, Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), Audit, etc.	Clause 6.1.2: Information security risk assessment (includes privacy risks).  A.5.5: Information security roles (DPO).  A.5.28: Collection of evidence (for audits).  Clause 9.2: Internal audit.  Clause 9.3: Management review.	The risk assessment process in ISO 27001 must include privacy risks, effectively constituting a DPIA. The standard's mandates for internal audit, management review, and defined roles perfectly align with SDF obligations.
Transfer Restrictions (S.16) Cross-border transfer to notified countries.	A.5.20: Addressing security in agreements.  A.5.21: ICT supply chain security.  A.5.33: Protection of records.	Supplier and contractual controls (A.5.20, A.5.21) are critical for ensuring equivalent protection when data is transferred internationally.

How ISO 27001:2022 Supports DPDPA Compliance: A Framework View

1.           Risk-Based Approach: Both are risk-based. ISO 27001's Clause 6.1 (risk assessment) is the engine for identifying risks to personal data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, forming the basis for all controls.

2. PDCA Cycle: ISO 27001's Plan-Do-Check-Act model provides a continuous improvement framework for a DPDPA compliance program.

Plan: Establish context, leadership commitment, and assess risks (DPIA).

Do: Implement controls (security, consent mgmt., process for rights).

Check: Monitor via audits (Clause 9.2) and measure effectiveness.

Act: Take corrective action from breaches, audits, or changes in law.

3. Documented Information: ISO 27001 requires maintaining records (policies, procedures, logs) which serve as evidence of compliance for the Data Protection Board under the DPDPA.

4. Integrated Implementation: Instead of building separate silos, organizations can integrate DPDPA requirements into their existing ISO 27001 ISMS. This is efficient and effective.

Key Gaps & Considerations

•             Scope: ISO 27001 covers all information security, not just personal data. The organization must scope and prioritize controls (like A.5.34) for PII within the ISMS.

•             Legal Specifics: ISO 27001 does not specify the exact wording for consent or notice (that's DPDPA's domain). It provides the control framework to implement them.

•             Penalties & Board Orders: ISO 27001 is a management standard, not a law. It helps prevent breaches but does not address legal penalties from the DPDPB.

Compliance checklist for a CCTV network

This compliance checklist integrates the legal requirements of India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 with the technical and operational controls of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (specifically Control A.7.4).

1. Governance & Transparency (DPDPA 2023 / ISO Control A.5.1)

·        Purpose Specification: Clearly document why the CCTV is being used (e.g., security, operational safety, or crime prevention). Using footage for undisclosed "profiling" or "tracking" is prohibited.

·        Visible Signage: Install clear, visible notices at all entry points. These must be in English and the relevant local language (from the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution).

·        Privacy Notice Details: Ensure the notice contains:

o   The specific personal data collected (e.g., facial images/biometrics).

o   How individuals can exercise their rights (access, correction, erasure).

2. Operational Security (ISO Control A.7.4 & A.8.16)

·        Comprehensive Coverage: Conduct a risk assessment to identify high-priority areas and eliminate "blind spots" without encroaching on private areas like restrooms or changing rooms.

·        Access Control (ISO A.5.18): Restrict live feeds and recorded footage access to authorized personnel only. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for digital access to NVR/DVR systems.

·        Device Health Monitoring: Regularly test and document that cameras, sensors, and alarms are functional. Auditors will look for maintenance logs and evidence of "active" monitoring rather than just hardware presence.

·        Encryption: Secure all data in transit (camera to server) and at rest (stored footage) using robust encryption standards.

3. Data Retention & Deletion (DPDPA 2023 / ISO Control A.8.10)

·        Specific Retention Period: Define a clear retention cycle—commonly 30 to 90 days—unless needed for an active investigation. Keeping footage "indefinitely" without a legal reason is a violation.

·        Automated Deletion: Implement automated "purge" mechanisms to ensure data is deleted once the retention period ends or the purpose is served.

·        Chain of Custody: If footage is shared with law enforcement, maintain a secure, timestamped log of the transfer to fulfill "Accountability" requirements

4. Incident & Breach Management (ISO Control A.5.24)

·        Breach Detection: Establish a Security Operations Centre (SOC) or team to monitor for unauthorized access to video feeds.

·        Mandatory Notification: In the event of a data leak (e.g., footage leaked online), you must notify the Data Protection Board (DPB) and affected individuals without undue delay (within 72 hours as per draft rules)

5. Specialized Requirements

·        STQC Certification: Ensure CCTV cameras have mandatory STQC certification as required under Indian surveillance standards.

·        Parental Consent: If surveillance is primarily targeted at children (e.g., in schools), verifiable consent from a parent or guardian is required, and any processing harmful to the child's well-being is strictly prohibited.

Compliance checklist for a ACCESS CONTROL network

Implementing network-connected Access Control Systems (ACS)—such as biometric scanners, RFID badge readers, and smart locks—introduces major compliance liabilities. Because an ACS processes highly sensitive personal data (including fingerprints, facial geometry, and real-time physical tracking logs), it must be heavily guarded under DPDPA, 2023 and ISO 27001:2022.

1. Regulatory & Privacy Checklist (DPDPA Alignment)

Biometric data is classified as sensitive data, requiring the highest standard of user consent and data minimization.

·        Explicit Consent Architecture: Obtain explicit, written, or digital consent before capturing biometrics (fingerprints or facial scans).

·        Alternative Access Provision: Offer a non-biometric alternative (like a PIN code or RFID card) if an individual refuses biometric enrollment.

·        Clear Purpose Specification: Provide a written privacy notice detailing exactly why access logs are kept and who can view them.

·        Strict Access Log Retention: Automatically purge routine movement logs after a defined period (e.g., 90 days) unless legally required.

·        Data Principal Erasure: Establish a clear process to permanently wipe an employee's biometric templates from all readers immediately upon separation.

·        Third-Party Processor Agreements: Sign strict data processing contracts if using a third-party cloud-based access control vendor.

2. Data & Cyber Security Checklist (ISO 27001 Alignment)

This section ensures the access control software, controllers, and reader networks cannot be intercepted or hacked.

·        Network Segmentation: Place all IP-based door controllers and management servers on a dedicated, isolated VLAN away from corporate data.

·        Encrypted Device Communications: Ensure reader-to-controller communication uses secure protocols (like OSDP) instead of vulnerable legacy Wiegand wiring.

·        Template Encryption: Verify that biometric data is stored only as irreversible cryptographic hashes, never as raw fingerprint or facial images.

·        Server Access Security: Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for the ACS management software dashboard.

·        API Security & Integrity: Encrypt and authenticate all API connections between the ACS and secondary systems like HR payroll.

·        Firmware Vulnerability Management: Run automated monthly checks to patch vulnerabilities on edge controllers and readers.

3. Physical & Operational Security Checklist

This section protects the physical infrastructure supporting the electronic access environment.

·        Tamper-Evident Enclosures: Lock all master control panels inside a secure, monitored server room or restricted IT closet.

·        Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure Mapping: Configure doors to unlock automatically during fire alarms (fail-safe) but remain locked during power cuts (fail-secure).

·        Independent Power Redundancy: Backup the entire ACS network with central UPS units and dedicated local batteries inside controller enclosures.

·        Tamper Alerts Enabled: Configure the system to trigger immediate silent IT/Security alerts if a reader housing is physically pried open.

·        Regular Hardware Audits: Conduct quarterly physical inspections to check for card cloning vulnerabilities or physical door bypass risks.

 

Conclusion

An ISO 27001:2022 certified ISMS is a robust, evidence-ready foundation for complying with the security and procedural mandates of the DPDP Act 2023. Organizations can leverage their ISMS to:

•             Fulfil the security safeguards obligation.

•             Systematically manage consent, rights, and breaches.

•             Conduct DPIAs as part of risk assessment.

•             Manage processors through supplier controls.

•             Demonstrate accountability and due diligence to regulators.

Treat the DPDPA as the legal requirement and ISO 27001 as the operational blueprint to build a resilient, compliant, and trustworthy data protection regime.

Social Media Scams

How to Identify Social Media Scams?

Social media is a land of connection, entertainment, and endless scrolling. But lurking beneath the curated feeds and hilarious pet videos lie imposters – social media scammers. These tricksters aim to exploit your trust and steal your personal information, money, or even your identity.

So, how do you navigate this online landscape without falling victim to a scam? Here’s your crash course on identifying social media scams:

1. The Allure of Free Stuff and Unbelievable Deals:

Be wary of fake giveaways on social media. Scammers often lure people in with promises of free vacations, luxury giveaways, or ridiculously cheap designer goods.  Remember, legitimate businesses rarely offer such extravagant deals through social media.

2. The Urgency Factor:

Scammers often create a sense of urgency. They might pressure you to act fast, claiming limited spots in a giveaway or an expiring discount code. Don’t let the clock control your decisions. Take a step back, verify the source, and research the offer before taking any action.

3. The Impersonation Game:

Scammers often impersonate trusted entities like banks, social media platforms, or even your friends. They might create fake profiles with stolen logos or hijack compromised accounts.  Always double-check the profile information – look for inconsistencies in usernames, spelling errors, or a lack of mutual friends and save yourself from social media impersonation scams.

4. The Emotional Rollercoaster:

Scammers prey on your emotions. They might tug at your heartstrings with sob stories or exploit your desire for romance or connection. Be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, especially if they involve financial requests or promises of meeting offline under suspicious circumstances.

5. The Phishing Phantoms:

Social media phishing scams are a classic weapon in the scammer’s arsenal. You might receive messages with links that appear legitimate, leading to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.  Never click on suspicious links, especially those urging you to update your account information.

Here are some additional red flags to watch out for:

·        Vague or poorly written messages: Legitimate businesses typically have professional-looking content.

·        Requests for personal information: Never share your Social Security number, bank details, or passwords through social media.

·        Poor grammar and spelling: Professional companies generally maintain high standards for written communication.

·        Pressure to download attachments: Avoid downloading attachments from suspicious messages unless you expect a file from a trusted source.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Media Scams?

·        Scrutinize profiles: Check usernames, follower lists, and post history before engaging with unfamiliar accounts.

·        Perform Reverse Image Searches: Use tools like Google Images to check if a profile photo is stolen or used across multiple, unrelated accounts.

·        Verify information: Don’t rely solely on the information presented in a message. Do your own research to confirm the legitimacy of an offer or promotion.

·        Enable security features: Most social media platforms offer features like multi-factor authentication to enhance account security.

·        Be mindful of what you share: Do not overshare personal details or financial information on social media.

·        Report suspicious activity: Report any suspected scams to the social media platform and consider blocking the account.

By being cautious about what you see and click on, you can shield yourself from scams and confidently navigate the online world.  Don’t let these imposters steal your hard-earned money or personal information.

Social media scams and CCTV surveillance are converging in two primary ways: criminals using technology to violate privacy and perpetrate fraud, and cybersecurity experts or law enforcement using CCTV to catch these scammers. Emerging threats include "digital arrests" via video calls, hacking of Wi-Fi-enabled cameras, and the rise of deepfake technology. 

12-Examples of Social Media Scams You Should Avoid at All Costs

Awareness is key to protecting yourself against social media scams. Here are eight examples of social media scams prevalent today that you should learn to recognize and avoid.

1. Phishing Through Direct Messages 

Phishing scams don’t only exist in email. In fact, they’ve found their way to social media. Social media phishing is when scammers send their victims messages pretending to be from a legitimate source, whether a friend or a reputable company. 

The messages often portray a sense of urgency, causing the victim to panic into clicking a link. The link then leads to a fake login page—and once you input your credentials, the scammer will be able to steal it and gain access to your accounts. 

Whenever you receive a direct message on social media, always verify the sender's identity. Never click on suspicious links provided by a suspicious person.

2. Quizzes or Personality Tests 

Quizzes and personality tests are prevalent on social media, providing what seems harmless fun to pass the time or discover new things about yourself. However, these tests have become goldmines for scammers due to their popularity.

When you open a quiz or personality test on social media, the platform will ask you for access to your profile information. Some scammers even go as far as tricking you into answering security questions. When you encounter a quiz or social media test that asks for unnecessary personal details or permissions, do not proceed.

3. Fake Giveaways and Contests 

People love winning free things—and companies have used that to their advantage by providing giveaways and conducting contests on social media. But they’re not the only ones—scammers also use these to harvest user data or spread malware. 

When you encounter a giveaway or contest from an unreputable company promising you valuable prizes in exchange for your personal information, don’t fall into the trap.

Remember that genuine giveaways will always be conducted through a company’s official channels—and they won’t ask you for sensitive information to participate.

4. Impersonation of Family and Friends 

One of the primary uses of social media is to stay in touch with family and friends. Scammers have used this to carry out their agendas, creating fake profiles to impersonate people close to you. They’ll use these fake profiles to pretend to be your family member or friend, claim to be in an emergency, and ask for financial assistance. The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows scammers to impersonate family and friends with manipulating videos or recordings. 

Before extending help to anyone, always double-check the identity of the sender. Contact the person through other means, like a call, text, or email, to confirm they sent you the message before taking any action.

5. Get-Rich-Quick Investment Schemes 

People are easily lured by investment schemes promising them significant earnings and easy money. That’s why these are often plagued with scams. Scammers can use fake testimonials and manipulated images to pretend to be a legitimate investment opportunity and lure you in with a promise of high returns for minimal investment. 

The increase of cryptocurrency is highly volatile and largely unregulated making it a prime target. Consumers are urged to be cautious, avoid unsolicited messages, and never send cryptocurrency to strangers. Legitimate companies and government agencies will never demand payment in cryptocurrency. Once a transaction is made, it cannot be reversed, so it’s crucial not to invest more than you can afford to lose. Understanding common scams and how to avoid them is key to protecting yourself.

To protect yourself from this, remember one thing: If an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

6. Romance Scams 

In 2024, 60,923 romance scams were reported, which caused losses totaling $1.20 billion. Due to the popularity of online dating, it’s easier for scammers to fake a romantic relationship with a victim to gain trust and, ultimately, harvest financial assistance. 

Romance scams start with the scammer creating a fake profile used to form relationships with one or multiple victims. Once they have established trust, they create a scenario that requires financial help. Because trust has been built and the victim has become romantically invested, they will quickly fall for the scam and wire the money over. 

To protect yourself from romance scams, be cautious about online relationships and watch out for red flags, such as when the person is quick to profess their love or asks for money.

7. Job Offer Scams

Work-from-home setups are all the rage these days, with so many office employees actively seeking remote jobs instead of office work. But scammers are preying on job seekers, offering attractive work-from-home opportunities that sound too good to be true.

When the job seeker accepts the offer, the scammer will then require their personal information or an upfront fee to get started with their employment. 

Remember that legitimate employees, online or otherwise, will never ask for payment from you as a condition for employment.

8. Tax Scams

The IRS released its 2025 “Dirty Dozen” list, a yearly campaign aimed at alerting taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals to the most common and evolving tax scams. These scams range from phishing and smishing emails, fake charities, and misleading social media tax advice, to false claims involving tax credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and the misused Sick and Family Leave credits. 

The IRS warns against schemes involving ghost tax preparers, spear phishing attacks on professionals, overstated withholding, and bogus self-employment and household tax claims. The campaign also flags misleading Offers in Compromise and third-party account scams.

9. "Digital Arrest" Scams: 

Fraudsters on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram pretend to be law enforcement (Police/CBI) and conduct video calls to intimidate victims, often demanding money to stop a fake investigation. These victims are often kept under constant surveillance, prohibited from talking to family, and coerced psychologically.

10.Hacked CCTV Cameras:

Weakly secured or default-password-protected internet-connected cameras (CCTV, baby monitors, office cameras) are easily hacked. Hackers can watch private homes, businesses, or offices, using the feed to spy or gather information for extortion.

11. Deepfake CCTV: 

Scammers are beginning to use AI to generate fake CCTV footage to impersonate people or fake incidents, making visual evidence harder to trust.

12. CCTV Installer Scams: 

Fraudsters create fake social media profiles or contact CCTV installers, promising bulk installation projects to lure them into doing work without payment.

A Youtuber has hacked into the CCTV cameras of an office used by tech support scammers and reported them to the police. The video feed of what is going on in that office ends with the arrest of the scammers.

CCTV

The Youtuber, acting under the handle Scambaiter, turned his attention to Punjab in India to spy on a group of Tech Support scammers.

“Scambaiting” means scamming the scammers, often by pretending to take their bait and wasting their time. The reasoning is that while the scammer is busy trying to reel the scambaiter in, they don’t have time to victimize someone else. Which makes it doing a good deed while having some fun.

Scambaiter, goes a little further than simply wasting scammers’ time. He has amassed almost 1.5 million YouTube followers by “hacking back” against the scammers and exposing where and how they work—in this case by using the scammers’ own CCTV cameras against them.

Scambaiter also hacked into some of the systems the scammers were using to defraud US citizens out of thousands of dollars. So, besides footage of the scammers, his hack also included taking screenshots from the laptops that the scammers were using while “at work”.

One thing that jumps out is that this is a very small and badly secured organization. Which came in handy because it enabled Scambaiter to show us several sides of the operation.

The video

Scambaiter condensed a weeks’ worth of footage into a 20-minute clip. In the beginning we see the scammers at work, posing as Best Buy’s Geek Squad tech support employees.

We get a good look at how these scammers are organized and how they operate. If you didn’t know they were talking people out of their money for non-existent services, it would look like any other, legitimate, office.

During the video Scambaiter explains how he found information about the scammers and their physical location, until he had gathered enough evidence to convince the local police to spring into action.

At the end of the CCTV footage you can see the police officers enter the building, shut down the electricity on two floors, and arrest five of the main scammers.

Scambaiter then concludes the video with a police report stating the charges against the scammers, and a selection of the media coverage about the incident.

Yes, if your home or bussiness have HikVision, Dahua, TPLink, CP Plus etc brand low cost, non-NDAA or non-STQC camera or DVR or NVR, then be alart Hackers May Be Watching Your Private Moments. Cybercriminals are now targeting home surveillance systems, not just for data theft, but also to blackmail users by leaking their private footage online. India’s cybersecurity watchdog, CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), has issued an urgent alert warning citizens about this growing threat. Earlier, most online frauds involved phishing links or fake websites stealing banking details. But the new wave of cybercrimes invades people’s private lives by hacking into household CCTV cameras. The hackers gain unauthorized access to surveillance footage and use it to extort money from victims. This is not just a privacy breach—it’s a serious emotional and financial threat.

How Do Hackers Access CCTV Cameras?

Default Passwords

Most users do not bother changing the default login credentials of their CCTV systems. Hackers scan the internet for such vulnerable devices, and if they find one with basic passwords like “admin” or “12345,” or "Admin@123" or "Welc0me" or "PaS$w0rD" they can gain access in seconds.

Unsecured Mobile Apps or Cloud Platforms

Many CCTV systems rely on third-party mobile apps or cloud services for remote access. If these apps are poorly secured, hackers can easily intercept live feeds.

Public IP and Port Forwarding

Some cameras are directly accessible via public IPs with port forwarding enabled. This exposes them to brute force or scripted attacks through web browsers.

Phishing Scams & Fake Tech Support Calls

Scammers often pose as technical support agents, urging users to update their systems. They trick people into installing remote access tools like AnyDesk, allowing full control over devices.

Common Tactics in CCTV Camera Scams

·        Blackmail Using Private Recordings: Hackers extract sensitive footage and threaten to share it on social media unless a ransom is paid.

·        Fake Service Expiry Calls: Fraudsters call victims claiming that their CCTV system subscription has expired and demand payment for updates or renewals.

·        Threats of Viral Leaks: Victims are warned their videos will be posted online. Often, these threats are fake, but fear pushes people into paying.

How to Stay Safe from CCTV Hacking

✅ Change the default password immediately and use strong, unique credentials.

✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for additional security.

✅ Only download camera-related apps from official Play Store or App Store.

✅ Be wary of unsolicited tech support calls or suspicious messages.

✅ Secure your Wi-Fi router and keep firmware updated.

Cyberspace connects us virtually with crores of online users across the globe. With increasing use of cyberspace, cybercrimes especially against women and children such as cyber stalking, cyber bullying, cyber harassment, child pornography, rape content, etc. are also increasing rapidly.

To stay safe in the online world, it is important to follow some cyber safe practices which may help in making our online experience and productive:

1. Cyber awareness and hygiene for parents

Talk to your children about the potential online threats such as grooming, bullying, and stalking, keep track of their online activities. Set clear guidelines for internet and online games usage.

Notice indicators of change in behaviour: If your child begins to spend more time online and starts being defensive or secretive about their online activities, it may be an indicator of cyber grooming. Talk to your child and engage him/ her in other activities.

Protect your child from Cyber Grooming: Grooming is a practice where someone builds an emotional bond with a child through social media or chat window with an objective of gaining their trust for sexual exploitation.

Children may remove privacy settings on social media to make more friends. Parents should discuss responsible use of social media. Also, they should educate and help them in selecting strong privacy settings.

Never click suspicious links or attachments: Never click on links or files received in e-mail, text message or social media from unknown person. This may be an attempt to infect computer with a malware.

Cover your webcams:A web camera (default in laptops) if hacked/compromised can be leveraged as a medium to observe/watch and record day to day activities. It is a recommended to cover webcam when not in use.

Install anti-virus software’s with parental control functionality or parental control software’s on the devices used by children and review there privacy settings of social media sites used by them.

Keep software updated:Keep your software and Operating system up-to-date. Hackers target software vulnerabilities to access private information and putting you at risk, so make sure to update all your software with the latest security patches. Never install software, games, music and apps from trusted sources.

Set Secure browser settings:Always choose updated version of the browser and install safe browsing tools for protection yourself from hackers and malware.

2. Cyber awareness and hygiene for teens and young adults

Secure your online presence just like you secure yourself: If you have not selected the right settings on your social media accounts, then photos and videos posted can be viewed, downloaded and used by others without your knowledge.

Select the right privacy settings and content sharing filters on social media so that you are sharing your information, photos and videos only with your trusted ones.

Be selective about accepting friend request of strangers on social media

Learn how to block someone who is making you uncomfortable

Learn how to remove someone from your friends list

Remember to logout from social media websites after use

Secure your phone with password

If you notice your fake account has been created, you can immediately inform social media service provider so that the account can be blocked

Be mindful of your appearance on video chat & video calls

Your video chats on social media sites can be recorded by the person on the other side

There have been instances where video chats which were supposed to be private in nature have been recorded and shared on social media groups and websites

Be careful while accepting chat requests from strangers

Do not use Smartphone for taking sensitive personal photographs and videos

Do not use Smartphone for taking sensitive personal photographs and videos. Most of the smartphones are connected to internet and cloud storage. If a picture or video has been clicked/ recorded by using smartphone connected with the cloud, it may get saved automatically into the cloud. Even if users delete their photos or videos from their phone, the same photo or video can be recovered from the cloud account or any other device/ PC connected to the cloud using same account.

If someone has taken such photograph using Smartphone, then take it seriously and make sure to get it deleted from their smartphone, the cloud and any other device connected using the same account.

Protect yourself from Cyber stalking:Cyber stalkers show advances on a person repeatedly despite clear indication of disinterest by such person. They use internet, email, social media or any other form of electronic communication for stalking

Disable location services for social media sites, mobile devices etc.

Refrain from sharing your personal information like Phone number, e-mail address, photographs with unknown persons

Consult your relatives and friends, if you think you are a victim of Cyber stalking

Beware of fake social media accounts- Not all the accounts are real and not all information provided on accounts are true

Be cautious while accepting friend requests from strangers.

Be cautious with sensitive Browsing

One should browse shopping or banking websites or apps only on a device that belongs to him/ her or on a trusted network. Avoid using friend’s phone, public computer, cyber cafe or free Wi-Fi for sensitive browsing as data can be stolen or copied.

The deleted data on your communication devices can be recovered

Be careful while you give your mobile devices, PC’s for servicing/repairing/selling:Personal commuters and mobile devices consists private information’s which needs to be erased before sending it for repairing, servicing or selling.

Protect your communication devices:Prevent others from accessing your devices by providing password, PIN, Pattern or biometric information. Always install applications to your mobile phones, computers, etc. from a trusted source only e.g. Play store, App store or from official company websites

Report if you find content related to of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM)

Any content related to of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) such as Rape/ Gang Rape (RGR) content should be report to the concerned social media website

If anybody of your acquaintance shares Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) with you, it is your duty as a responsible citizen to inform the concerned person that publication, collection and distribution of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) is illegal and he should refrain from doing such activities.

You can also report it on National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in)

 

3. Cyber awareness and hygiene for organizations

How to deal with Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) in workplace?

All organisations should have clear and strong HR policies on how to deal with content on Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM)

Organisations should have clear rules for use of electronic devices provided by the organisation

If any employee is found possessing obscene or indecent content, proper investigation and action should be taken against them

The organisation should report any incidence of sharing and storage of obscene content within the organisation to the police. The copy of the content should be saved as an evidence with restricted access

All other copies of the content should be deleted

They can also report through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).

Publication, Collection and Distribution of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM) is illegal

Under Section 67 and 67A of Information Technology Act, 2000 makes publication and distribution of any material containing sexually explicit act or conduct in electronic form a punishable offence

Section 67B of IT Act, criminalizes browsing, downloading, creation, publication and distribution of child pornography

Be safe, Browse safe!