The virtual world of internet, through which we make almost all transactions now, is known as cyberspace. The laws overlooking this cyberspace are called Cyber Laws. In today's techno-savvy environment, we are becoming more and more digitally inclined and so are the crimes. Internet was initially developed as a research and information sharing tool, and meant to be a pool of knowledge. As the time is passing by it is becoming more transactional with e-business, e-commerce, e-governance and e-procurement etc. As the number of internet users is increasing day by day, the need for cyber laws and their application is gathering a great momentum.
The Job of a Cyber Lawyer
Cyber Law is the term used to describe the issues related that deal with the Internet's relationship to technological and electronic elements, communication technology, including computers, software, and hardware and information systems. Cyber-crime is a generic term that refers to all criminal activities done using the medium of communication technology components, the Internet, cyber space and the World Wide Web (WWW).
The introduction of new digital information and communications technologies has given birth to a new legal domain, commonly called Information and Communication Technology Law or more fashionably ā Cyber Law. With the phenomenal growth of cyberspace, issues relating to various legal aspects of cyberspace started cropping up. In response to the absolutely complex and newly emerging legal issues relating to cyberspace, a new and highly specialized branch of law, Cyber Law, came into being.
This field has more significant career opportunities in the field of Law. One can get offers form IT firms, police department, public and private organisations, corporate houses, professors in universities and many more. Cyber law is also a very important aspect of legal training and corporate management. Legal and management professionals regularly enrol for cyber training. The present cyber law education trends in India show that online cyber law education in India would be the norm in the near future.
A cyber lawyers has to crack down cybercrimes like hacking, credit card frauds, protecting digital signatures to safeguard business transactions or encryption codes or electronic records etc. He has to deal with the cases of Intellectual Property laws or Copyrights, Software patents, Net Banking etc.
Professional courses carry a multidisciplinary task as it a multidimensional subject. While studying such a subject, one needs to acquire knowledge of technology as well as laws governing different issues. These courses are oriented to support e-business. There are many short term and long term courses available online or offline on the exotic subject of cyber laws.
There is a possibility to consolidate the technological advancements in the past. The internet users are increasing tremendously every year and at the same time there is also rise in the number of people using mobiles and smart phones. Cyber law is likely to experience various emerging trends with the increased usage of digital technology.
The various emerging trends include
ā¢ Challenges in Mobile Laws
ā¢ Legal Issues of Cyber Security
ā¢ Cloud Computing and Law
ā¢ Social Media and Legal Problems
ā¢ Spam Laws
ā¢ Cyber Lawyer
ā¢ Lawyer
ā¢ Cyber Assistant
ā¢ Legal Advisor
ā¢ Cyber Consultant in an IT firm, police department or in banks.
ā¢ Research assistants in a law firm.
ā¢ Research assistants in a technology firm.
ā¢ Advisors to the web developers.
ā¢ Advisors in the Ministry of Information and Technology or in Corporate Houses.
ā¢ Security Auditors and Network Administrators in Technology firms.
ā¢ Trainers in law schools and Multinational Corporations.
How Do You Become a Cyber Lawyer?
1. For those interested in opting for a career in cyber law, one needs to specialize in Cyber laws (LLM) after completing bachelors in Law (LLB). Ā
2. One can also take up diploma and certificate courses after graduation in any field of after specialized IT degrees and training.
Several premier law universities in India and several other colleges offer post graduate and diploma courses in cyber-crime laws. Students who would want to get an insight into the actual work could do so by working as an intern, which would enable them to gather some valuable information and experience in the field of cyber laws. Studying Cyber Laws can help the IT Professionals to provide better organizational security to their firms and let them know about the better legal aspects of the issues related to e-business. Even chartered accountants and banking professionals can gain by studying about the Cyber Laws.
What Skills Do You Need for the Job?
ā¢ Good observational, practical and analytical skills
ā¢ In depth knowledge in computers and software
ā¢ Being well updated with the current happenings in the field of technology and cybercrimes
ā¢ Work with a lot of dexterity and dedication
ā¢ Sound communication skills
ā¢ Excellent presentation, negotiation, and communication skills
As a beginner, one could initially expect a remuneration of about Rs 10,000 - 15,000, although professional cyber lawyers have an average pay of Rs 50,000 and above with several other perks. The remuneration demanded by cyber lawyers vary with respect to oneās experience and skills.
Top Courses and Institutes:
ā¢ National Law School of India University, Bangalore
ā¢ NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
ā¢ National Law University, Delhi
ā¢ National Law Institute University, Bhopal
ā¢ ILS Law College, Pune
ā¢ Asian School of Cyber Laws (Pune)
ā¢ Centre for Distance Education (University of Hyderabad)
ā¢ Amity Law School (Delhi)
ā¢ Department of Law (University of Delhi)
ā¢ Cyber Law College (Chennai, Mysore, Mangalore, Bangalore)
Radhika Kulkarni
Counseling Psychologist
