Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center (CSDFC)

About

The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center (CSDFC) at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, is established for addressing the growing need of the expertise in the field of Cybersecurity, Cyber Crime Investigation, Cyber Control Systems and Digital Forensics with its foundations firmly grounded in legal frameworks and policy formulations.

In an increasingly dependent digital world, where cybercrimes are becoming more sophisticated, the role of this center is vital for training legal professionals who can understand and explore both the technological and legal challenges of the ever-evolving cyberspace.

Integration of emerging Cyber security challenges with Cyber laws and regulations is the crucial part of the center’s offerings by ensuring that various stakeholders of the digital world understand how the law intersects with technology.

The CSDFC Center, core activities are mostly mapped on legislative frameworks , Policy formation and understandings, criterial research in Data Privacy and Professional trainings through capacity building activities for legal professions on the concepts like Governance Risks Compliance (GRC), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) , The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023,IT Act , The Information Technology Act, 2000 (also known as ITA-2000, or the IT Act) , various other IT Policies , intellectual property rights in the digital world,

The above refereed activities are illustrated with emphasis on Cyber Security, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cybercrime Investigations and digital Forensics, Cyber Fraud Detection and Incidence handling with hands on, Practical Oriented, Realtime stimulated Virtual Labs environments.

VISION

The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center at CNLU, Patna shall strive to be a pivotal institution in shaping the future of cybersecurity professionals and researchers in India and beyond, by offering specialized academic programs, engaging in cutting-edge research, providing real-world services, and fostering strong collaborations with industry and government, the center shall become a leader in the field of cybersecurity and digital forensics.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center at CNLU, Patna is as follows:

Promote Cybersecurity Awareness: Educating students, professionals, and the community on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of data protection and privacy.
Cutting-edge Research and Innovation: Focusing on emerging cybersecurity trends such as artificial intelligence (AI) in security, cloud security, blockchain, machine learning, cryptography, and digital forensics techniques.
Enhance National and Global Security: Contributing to national cybersecurity strategies and supporting legal and government agencies in combatting cybercrimes and cyber threats.
Develop Skilled Workforce: Preparing students and legal professionals for roles in cybersecurity, digital forensics, incident response, and secure software development by conducting capacity building programs. Bihar Police personnel will receive specialized training in cybercrime investigation and forensic analysis
Collaboration with Industry and Government Agencies: Facilitating knowledge exchange, research, and joint initiatives with government bodies, law enforcement, tech firms, and international partners.

Academic Programs

Academic and Training Programs on Offer

Academic Programs:

Advance Diploma / Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity: A one-year diploma program focusing on essential skills in network security, digital forensics, and information security for working professionals.

Advance Diploma Program on Cyber Security – Cyber Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics.
Advance Diploma Program in Cyber Security , Privacy and Data Protection Laws.

Certificate Programs: Short-term certifications in areas like Ethical Hacking, Incident Response, Digital Forensics, Malware Analysis, and Cyber Law. These can be aimed at both students and legal professionals.

Cyber Security and Digital Forensics for law Graduates

Cyber Crimes Investigation and Digital Forensics using OSINT Tools and Techniques.

Cyber Fraud Risk Assessment in Financial Institutions.

Web Intelligence and Social Media Analytics for Media Personnel.

Cyber Threat Risk Assessment and Dark Web Analytics for Law Enforcement Officers.

Professional Training Programs:

The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center at CNLU, Patna shall tie up with international Cyber Security certifying bodies like ISACA, ISC2 etc to offer following programs.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)

Industry Collaboration

The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Center aspires to have strong ties with both industry leaders and government bodies to keep the curriculum aligned with real-world challenges, provide research funding, and offer placement opportunities for students.

Industry Collaborations:

Cybersecurity Firms: Partnerships with leading cybersecurity companies such as Palo Alto Networks, McAfee, Trend Micro, and others for internships, placements, and workshops.
Law Enforcement & Government Agencies: Collaborations with organizations like the Ministry of Law and Justice , Govt of India , National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), and state/local police departments for conducting Cyber Crimes investigation and Digital Forensics research and training.
Tech Companies: Collaboration with global tech giants such as Palo Alto , PWC, Google, IBM- RedHat, and Cisco to provide students with real-world exposure to cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity.
Research and Development Partnerships: Engaging with research-focused companies and government institutions to develop new technologies and methodologies in digital forensics, threat intelligence, and malware detection.
Startups and Entrepreneurs: Partnering with emerging cybersecurity startups for innovation and offering students opportunities to work in fast-paced, high-impact environments.
International Universities & Research Bodies: Establishing collaborations with other top universities and research institutions to engage in joint research, conferences, and exchange programs, particularly in the context of global cybersecurity challenges.

Collaboration Activities:

Internships & Research Projects: Providing students with hands-on experience through internships with industry leaders, government agencies, and cybersecurity firms.
Conferences & Workshops: Hosting international and national cybersecurity conferences, seminars, and workshops with experts from academia and the industry.
Guest Lectures & Industry Talks: Bringing cybersecurity professionals and thought leaders from around the world to deliver lectures and share practical insights with students.

Cybersecurity Services

Cybersecurity and Digital Forensic Services

Given its central role, the Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics would provide following cybersecurity services to the bihar state in particular, as well as to external organizations in the region and the nation.

Cybersecurity Services Offered:

Security Audits & Vulnerability Assessments: Conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify vulnerabilities in university networks, systems, and applications, and recommending actionable solutions.
Incident Response and Digital Forensics: Establishing an incident response team to handle cyberattacks or breaches, collecting and analyzing digital evidence for legal purposes.
Digital Evidence Collection: Helping in the collection and preservation of digital evidence for internal investigations or for law enforcement agencies handling cybercrimes. The Center further handles Computer Forensics, Cell phone and Mobile Device Data Acquisitions, Network Acquisitions, Collection from Cloud and social media, and Data Breach Analysis with the following activities
- - Forensics Assessment & Consulting
  - Project Development and Management
  - Forensically Sound Evidence Acquisition
  - Establish & Preserve Chain of Custody
  - Identify & Extract Hidden, Altered, Deleted, and Encrypted Information
  - Identify Pertinent Timelines and Create a Sequence of Events
  - Analyze Relevant Contents of Media
  - Develop Standard & Custom Reports
  - Depositions & Testifying as Required

Network Security Monitoring: Implementing 24/7 monitoring systems to detect potential security breaches, malware, or unusual activities in the network, especially on university-owned infrastructure.
Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking: Offering penetration testing services to identify potential attack vectors and applying ethical hacking techniques to assess the security posture of various digital assets.
Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs: Providing workshops, seminars, and training sessions to students, faculty, and staff on best practices in data security, handling phishing attacks, password management, and social engineering.
Cloud and Data Security Services: Securing cloud-based platforms used by the university and ensuring that sensitive student, faculty, and research data are protected in compliance with regulations like GDPR, IT Act (India), and other global privacy laws.
Policy Development & Compliance: Helping the university and external organizations in developing cybersecurity policies and frameworks that adhere to national and international standards.

Future Directions

Global Research Hub: Over time, the center could evolve into a global research hub for cybersecurity, contributing to policy development, the development of new technologies, and creating best practices for cybersecurity and digital forensics worldwide.
Collaborative Research with International Institutions: Forming research alliances with international universities and cybersecurity organizations to collaborate on topics like cyber warfare, data privacy, and machine learning in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Startups Incubator: The center could host an incubator for innovative cybersecurity startups, fostering young entrepreneurs who want to create novel solutions to the challenges of digital security.