Cyber Law

1 What this path is

Cyber law covers offences committed using computers and the internet, the duties of online platforms and the legal response to cyber incidents. It includes both criminal practice and advisory work.

2 Who this path may suit

The work involves understanding technology, handling criminal procedure, working with digital evidence and advising victims, companies and platforms.

3 The roadmap, step by step

1. Learn technology basics.
   Learn: how networks, servers, IP addresses, encryption and online accounts work.
   Practise: by building a glossary of cyber terms in plain language.
2. Learn the IT Act.
   Learn: the Information Technology Act 2000, including electronic records, cyber offences, intermediary safe harbour under Section 79 and blocking under Section 69A.
   Practise: by charting each offence with its section and punishment.
3. Learn cyber offences under the BNS.
   Learn: how cheating, identity theft, stalking, extortion and related offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita apply online.
   Practise: by analysing an online fraud scenario under both the IT Act and the BNS.
4. Learn investigation and procedure.
   Learn: how cyber crime complaints are filed, including the national cyber crime reporting portal, and how investigations proceed under the BNSS.
   Practise: by drafting a cyber crime complaint for an imaginary victim.
5. Learn digital evidence.
   Learn: how electronic records are proved under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. See the Digital Evidence roadmap in Section 6.
   Practise: by listing the evidence needed in your fraud scenario.
6. Learn platform regulation.
   Learn: the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 and the duties of platforms.
   Practise: by reviewing a platform's grievance process against the Rules.
7. Learn cyber litigation.
   Learn: bail, quashing and takedown related writs in cyber matters.
   Practise: by drafting a bail application in a cyber offence.
8. Specialise.
   Learn: one area, such as cyber crime defence, victim support, platform regulation or cybersecurity compliance.
   Practise: with a project from that area.

4 Your levels and checkpoints

Beginner level

• Explain common cyber offences and the sections that apply

Intermediate level

• Draft a cyber crime complaint
• Explain how electronic evidence is proved

Advanced level

• Handle bail or quashing drafts in cyber matters
• Advise a platform on intermediary duties

Advanced professional level

You handle cyber litigation or advisory work independently.

These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.

5 Build these projects

1. A cyber offence chart
2. A cyber crime complaint
3. A platform grievance process review

6 Internship direction

Look for cyber crime practitioners, technology law teams and cyber law organisations. Before applying, know the IT Act and BNS cyber offences. Prepare a complaint draft or offence chart.

7 Portfolio evidence

Charts, complaints, bail drafts and case comments.

8 Common mistakes

• Learning the law without understanding the technology
• Ignoring digital evidence requirements

9 Go deeper

Cyber and AI Law Guidebook · AI Legal Hub

All 76 skill roadmaps · Interactive roadmap explorer

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