Computer resource
Computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer data base or software (Section 2(1)(k) of the Information Technology Act, 2000). It is the widest of the Act's technology terms.
Explained
Section 2(1)(k) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 defines computer resource as computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer data base or software. Each component is itself defined: computer in Section 2(1)(i), computer network in Section 2(1)(j), computer system in Section 2(1)(l) and data in Section 2(1)(o). Because it gathers all of these, computer resource is the broadest expression in the Act, covering both hardware and the information held on it.
The term is used across the Act's penal and regulatory provisions. Section 43 provides penalty and compensation for unauthorised access to a computer resource and related acts. Section 66B punishes dishonestly receiving or retaining a stolen computer resource or communication device, and Section 66D punishes cheating by personation using a computer resource. Sections 69, 69A and 69B empower interception, blocking and traffic data monitoring of information in any computer resource. Under Section 70 the appropriate Government may declare a computer resource that affects Critical Information Infrastructure to be a protected system. Section 79 refers to computer resources controlled by an intermediary.
The BSA borrows the meaning. Section 2(2) of the BSA gives undefined words the meaning assigned in the IT Act. Section 39(2) makes relevant the opinion of the Examiner of Electronic Evidence under Section 79A of the IT Act on information transmitted or stored in any computer resource. The Explanation to Section 57 provides that where an electronic or digital record is stored in multiple storage spaces in a computer resource, each automated storage, including temporary files, is primary evidence. Section 63 refers to a computer resource in describing devices covered by the admissibility certificate.
Distinguish a computer resource from an electronic record under Section 2(1)(t), which is the data or record itself. Examiners test the five or six listed components, the BSA provisions on electronic evidence, and the offences that turn on the term.
What the law says
(k) “computer resource” means computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer data base or software;
Clause (1)(k) defines computer resource
(a) accesses or secures access to such computer, computer system or computer network [or computer resource];
(b) downloads, copies or extracts any data, computer data base or information from such computer, computer system or computer network including information or data held or stored in any removable storage medium;
(c) introduces or causes to be introduced any computer contaminant or computer virus into any computer, computer system or computer network;
Penalty and compensation for unauthorised access to a computer resource
Whoever dishonestly received or retains any stolen computer resource or communication device knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen computer resource or communication device, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to rupees one lakh or with both.
Receiving or retaining a stolen computer resource
[(1) The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare any computer resource which directly or indirectly affects the facility of Critical Information Infrastructure, to be a protected system.
Explanation.–For the purposes of this section, “Critical Information Infrastructure” means the computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety.]
(2) The appropriate Government may, by order in writing, authorise the persons who are authorised to access protected systems notified under sub-section (1).
Protected system
Explanation 7.—Where an electronic or digital record is stored in multiple storage spaces in a computer resource, each such automated storage, including temporary files, is primary evidence.
Illustration.
A person is shown to have been in possession of a number of placards, all printed at one time from one original. Any one of the placards is primary evidence of the contents of any other, but no one of them is primary evidence of the contents of the original.
Automated storage in a computer resource is primary evidence
Earlier law: IEA 62. Primary evidence.
(2) When in a proceeding, the court has to form an opinion on any matter relating to any information transmitted or stored in any computer resource or any other electronic or digital form, the opinion of the Examiner of Electronic Evidence referred to in section 79A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), is a relevant fact.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, an Examiner of Electronic Evidence shall be an expert.
Opinion of the Examiner of Electronic Evidence
Earlier law: IEA 45. Opinions of experts.; 45A. Opinion of Examiner of Electronic Evidence.
Example
For example, a company's email server, the software running on it and the mailbox data it stores are each a computer resource, so unauthorised access to any of them attracts Section 43 of the IT Act.
For the exam
- Section 2(1)(k) IT Act: computer, computer system, computer network, data, computer data base or software.
- It is wider than 'computer' or 'computer system' and includes data and software.
- Section 70: a computer resource affecting Critical Information Infrastructure may be a protected system.
- BSA Section 57 Explanation: each automated storage in a computer resource is primary evidence.
- BSA Section 39(2): opinion of the Examiner of Electronic Evidence is relevant.
70 questions in the Law Maker question bank use this term. Practise Cyber Law questions
Related terms
- Electronic recordData, a record or data generated, an image or sound stored, received or sent in electronic form, or micro film or computer generated micro fiche (Section 2(1)(t) of the IT Act).
- IntermediaryA person who, on behalf of another, receives, stores or transmits an electronic record or provides a service for it, such as an internet provider, search engine or online marketplace. Section 2(1)(w) IT Act.
- Electronic signatureAuthentication of an electronic record by a subscriber using an electronic technique specified in the Second Schedule to the IT Act, including a digital signature (Section 2(1)(ta)).
- Digital signatureAuthentication of an electronic record by a subscriber by means of an electronic method or procedure in accordance with Section 3 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- Personal dataAny data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data. Section 2(t) of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Further reading
Checked 6 November 2026. Statutory text is quoted from the Bare Acts library, taken from India Code. See the full glossary.