Karnataka to Establish ₹400 Crore Integrated Cyber Command Centre Powered by Artificial Intelligence

Karnataka is set to significantly strengthen its cybercrime response with plans to establish a ₹400 crore Integrated Cyber Command Centre powered by artificial intelligence. The proposed Karnataka Cyber Command Centre (K4C) will be headquartered in Bengaluru, supported by mini cyber hubs in every district to ensure faster, coordinated action across the state. The initiative is being led by the Cyber Command Unit (CCU), which was set up last year to oversee cybercrime, cybersecurity, and the Information Disorder Tackling Unit. While the CCU currently functions as a nodal body, officials acknowledge that it lacks a dedicated headquarters and the advanced technological infrastructure required to address the scale and sophistication of modern cyber threats. The new command centre aims to bridge that gap. According to the proposal, K4C will serve as a centralised, intelligence-driven hub equipped with AI-powered tools, advanced digital forensics, and real-time coordination systems. The centre is expected to become operational within the next three months, subject to approvals. Inspired by Global Cybercrime Models The design of the Karnataka Cyber Command Centre draws inspiration from some of the world’s leading cybercrime institutions, including the FBI’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, INTERPOL’s Global Complex for Innovation, and Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency Labs. The proposal also aligns with guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and recommendations made by Justice M. Nagarprasanna, who had emphasised that such a unit must go beyond bureaucratic formality and function as an effective counter to evolving cybercrime. Officials involved in the planning process said the centre would include specialised wings focused on in-house technology development, crimes against women and children, and continuous skill development for personnel. Advanced Technology and Specialised Teams The proposal outlines the recruitment and training of 176 domain experts across 11 specialised verticals, along with the creation of AI-powered innovation labs and a 24×7 security and network operations centre. These teams will support predictive policing, AI-based case analysis, and faster digital evidence processing. In addition to the central hub, forensic-enabled mini cyber hubs will be established in all districts. These hubs will be linked to the Bengaluru headquarters, allowing real-time sharing of data, expertise, and resources. Once operational, the integrated system is expected to reduce cybercrime response times to under 14 hours. The plan also envisages empowering around 270 personnel across 45 Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) police stations with advanced investigative tools and centralised support. What Is The Proposal? To strengthen coordination beyond the state, the Karnataka Cyber Command Centre will be integrated with national platforms such as CERT-In, the proposed 14C framework, and Karnataka’s own Computer Emergency Response Team (K-CERT). This alignment is aimed at improving information-sharing and ensuring faster action during large-scale cyber incidents. The proposal also includes the creation of an international collaboration portal to facilitate partnerships with agencies such as INTERPOL and the FBI. Ten global liaison officers are expected to coordinate with international cybersecurity hubs to tackle cross-border crimes, including ransomware attacks and cryptocurrency-related fraud. What Is The Target? By 2030, the state government expects the AI-driven command centre to deliver measurable improvements in cyber policing. The targets outlined in the proposal include a 40 percent reduction in incident response times, a 30 percent decrease in financial losses caused by cybercrime, and a 50 percent increase in conviction rates through improved digital forensics and evidence handling. If implemented as planned, Karnataka’s Cyber Command Centre could set a new benchmark for AI-led policing and cyber resilience in India, positioning the state as a leader in tackling digital crime in an increasingly connected world.