Bhubaneswar: Recognising the pressing need to address the growing threat to public safety from cybercrimes, the Odisha Police launched the “Cyber Safety Campaign – 2023” on Thursday.
This campaign is dedicated to raising awareness and educating citizens about the various facets of cybercrime and, more importantly, how to protect themselves from falling victim to these malicious activities, a release from the state police headquarters said.
In an era characterised by technological advancement and digital transformation, the realm of cybercrime has become a formidable challenge worldwide, and Odisha is no exception. Cybercrime encompasses a range of illegal activities committed through digital means, often with the intention to deceive, defraud, or exploit unsuspecting individuals.
These crimes can take various forms, including phishing attacks, online scams, identity theft, and more. Due to lack of awareness, general public are sharing their valuable bank credentials, personal information either to the cyber fraudsters or online.
The campaign was inaugurated with a Curtain Raiser Event held in Bhubaneswar today. The event saw the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Kumar Bansal who launched the following components:
- Logo: A unique emblem symbolizing the essence of cyber safety and security.
- Mascot: An engaging character representing the campaign’s spirit.
- Campaign Poster: A striking poster to be widely distributed across the state to promote awareness.
- Theme Song: A catchy tune designed to reinforce key cyber safety messages in a memorable way.
- 2 Cyber Safety Advisory Brochures: Informative brochures providing practical tips and guidelines on how to stay safe online.
- Campaign Videos: Educational videos highlighting two critical aspects – one addressing fraudulent activities in the name of loan apps, shedding light on the dangers of such schemes, and the other addressing the grave issue of child pornography, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding our children from online exploitation. These videos aim to educate and empower the public to recognize and combat these threats effectively.
Presenting welcome address, Additional DGP (Crime Branch) Arun Bothra highlighted the importance of the campaign in Odisha. IG (Crime Branch) Shefeen Ahmed proposed vote thanks. Among others, Chief General Manager (CGM) of SBI Chandrasekhar Sharma, General Manger of UCO Bank and Convenor of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) Goutam Patra were present.
This campaign embodies the commitment to safeguarding the citizens of Odisha from the perils of the digital age. Through education and vigilance, we aim to create a safer online environment for all. The Cyber Safety Campaign 2023 seeks to engage citizens across all demographics, including students, parents, professionals, and senior citizens, ensuring that no one is left vulnerable to cyber threats. Furthermore, we extend an invitation to individuals who wish to actively participate in the campaign as cyber safety volunteers, aiding in spreading awareness and knowledge.
