These are just some of the instances which were cited by Bhure Lal, secretary in the Central Vigilance Commission, to make a strong case for implementation of cyber laws. He was addressing the national seminar on Computer-related Crimes organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Capital today. Underlining the need for a comprehensive cyber law, he added that computer abuse can also be resorted to for cyber-terrorism.

In order to evolve effective safeguards against the menace of computer crimes, other experts various investigative agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol, today sought specific and comprehensive cyber laws to cover all acts of computer criminals and proactive mechanisms for tackling such offences.

``It is not only difficult to detect computer crimes but also to book criminals since the laws have not kept pace with technology,'' Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor S.P. Talwar said.

Stressing the need for effective security features while undertaking computerisation, he said ``It is often difficult to attribute guilt using the existing statutes since the act of trespassing into a system and tampering with virtual data may not necessarily be specifically provided for in law.''

In his address, CBI Director R.K. Raghavan said the government is aware of the need for legislation in this new area of information technology and accordingly, the Department of Electronics (DoE) in consultation with other expert agencies has already drafted laws relating to this area.

Realising the threat from computer crimes, the CBI has taken a ``proactive'' lead in preparing itself to face the challenge by setting up a special Cyber Crime Unit, he said.

The RBI was also associated with the efforts of the ministries of Finance, Commerce and Law in the enactment of laws such as the Information Technology Act and the Cyber Law, Talwar said.

At the same time, he added that unless development of security features were also atteneded to at the same level of efficiency and equal speed, banks would be left with ``beautiful software systems for public glare and access, but totally unguarded and gullible against waiting information poachers''.