Home Page- Cyber Rapid Action Unit (CRAU)

🇮🇳 About Us — Cyber Rapid Action Unit (CRAU)

(An Initiative of the Government of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI))

Introduction

The Cyber Rapid Action Unit (CRAU) is a specialized national task force established under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide a swift, intelligence-led response to serious cybercrime incidents and digital emergencies.

Functioning in coordination with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), CRAU operates as an elite operational command responsible for filtering, prioritizing, and acting upon a limited number of high-severity cybercrime cases that require urgent national-level intervention.

Every day, a massive number of cyber incidents and digital frauds are reported across India. While most cases are addressed at the state or district cyber police level, CRAU’s responsibility is to identify the most complex, organized, and high-impact threats—those that endanger national infrastructure, compromise sensitive data, involve large-scale fraud, or have inter-state or international implications.

These critical cases are taken up for centralized investigation, digital forensics, and coordinated enforcement in partnership with MHA, I4C, and CBI.

Mandate and Function

The CRAU has been mandated to serve as India’s national cyber emergency command and enforcement hub, ensuring that no major cyber threat goes unaddressed. Its responsibilities include:

Rapid Identification and Escalation: Using advanced data triage systems and intelligence tools, CRAU filters national cyber reports and escalates only the most urgent cases requiring immediate multi-agency action.
Real-Time Coordination: Facilitating direct collaboration between MHA, I4C, CBI, CERT-In, and State Cyber Cells to ensure synchronized responses to cyber incidents.
Digital Forensics and Analysis: Conducting technical investigation, data recovery, and digital evidence validation through certified forensic experts.
Operational Response: Deploying specialized teams for containment, tracing, and enforcement against perpetrators operating across borders or in organized networks.
Strategic Policy Support: Advising the Government of India on cyber risk trends, threat intelligence, and future readiness measures.

Vision

To create a cyber-secure India where every major digital threat is detected, analyzed, and neutralized through national-level coordination, intelligence, and precision action.

CRAU envisions a nation where the Government of India can respond rapidly to cyber crises, protect critical digital infrastructure, and build a culture of trust and safety in cyberspace.

Mission

The mission of CRAU is to:

Establish a centralized cyber emergency action framework that ensures immediate national intervention in critical digital crimes.
Filter, assess, and prioritize complex cyber incidents based on threat level and public impact.
Conduct multi-agency coordination among MHA, I4C, CBI, CERT-In, and other specialized law enforcement units.
Strengthen national capabilities in cyber forensics, intelligence, and prevention.
Promote public awareness and training to empower institutions and citizens against cyber vulnerabilities.

Operational Framework

CRAU operates through a multi-tiered response system comprising the following divisions:

Cyber Emergency Response Division (CERD): Manages real-time containment of ongoing cyber incidents and coordinates emergency interventions.
Digital Forensics & Intelligence Division (DFID): Analyzes digital evidence, monitors threat patterns, and provides intelligence support to investigative bodies.
Rapid Enforcement & Coordination Wing (RECW): Works with state police, cyber cells, and the CBI for on-ground enforcement operations
Surveillance and Command Control Division (SCCD): Oversees the National Cyber Operations Centre and maintains 24×7 situational awareness.
Public Awareness & Training Division (PATD): Conducts digital safety campaigns, cyber hygiene programs, and awareness initiatives.

Coordination and Integration

The CRAU functions as a bridge between central and state-level enforcement, ensuring that intelligence, forensics, and enforcement operations move seamlessly.

It collaborates directly with:

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) — for administrative and strategic oversight.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) — for centralized intelligence and data analysis.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) — for high-profile investigation and prosecution support.
CERT-In (Ministry of Electronics & IT) — for technical incident response and advisories.
State Cyber Cells & Law Enforcement Agencies — for field-level coordination and execution.

This structure ensures that CRAU’s actions align with India’s national cybercrime response and security objectives.

Our Core Principles

Integrity: Upholding transparency and ethics in all operations.
Speed: Acting decisively during time-sensitive cyber crises.
Confidentiality: Protecting data, identities, and ongoing investigations.
Precision: Deploying targeted, evidence-driven interventions.
Accountability: Maintaining audit-ready compliance with MHA and I4C directives.

Commitment to the Nation

“Swift Response. Secure Nation.”

CRAU stands committed to ensuring that India’s digital space remains resilient, secure, and trusted.

By intervening only in select, high-impact cases, CRAU ensures that government resources are optimized, response timelines are shortened, and justice is delivered efficiently.