The government is set to launch a major initiative to ward off cybercrime through its Rs 1,000 crore National Cyber Coordination Centre project, which is slated to begin operations by the end of this month. According to officials, the Centre is meant to monitor cyber traffic in the country and prevent possible large scale cyber attacks by analyzing the traffic. It will begin by tracking the networks of a handful of Internet Service Providers and data centers. Which of the following statements most strongly supports this argument for establishing the Centre?

Introduction / Context:
The passage describes a national level cyber security project, the National Cyber Coordination Centre, whose purpose is to monitor cyber traffic and prevent large scale cyber attacks. The question asks which statement most strongly supports the argument for establishing such a centre. To support the argument, an option should explain how the Centre will effectively achieve its goals or why it is necessary, rather than just mentioning related background information.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The project has a large budget, indicating a significant effort.
• The Centre is meant to monitor cyber traffic and detect potential large scale cyber attacks.
• It will begin with a limited number of Internet Service Providers and data centers.
• We need a statement that strengthens the claim that this Centre will help ward off cybercrime and cyber attacks.

Concept / Approach:
A strong supporting statement should directly show that the Centre has capabilities or features that are effective against cyber threats. For example, real time monitoring and response, or advanced analysis of traffic patterns, would show that it can detect and prevent attacks. Statements that simply note that cybercrime has increased or that the government is taking measures describe context but do not directly support the effectiveness of this specific project. Likewise, statements about private companies monitoring their own networks do not necessarily support a national coordination centre.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option C: The Centre will monitor the flow of cyber traffic, analyze upcoming attacks, and take preventive action in real time.Step 2: This option directly connects the Centre's activities with the goal of warding off cybercrime. Real time analysis and preventive action are exactly the capabilities that justify creating such a national facility.Step 3: Option A mentions that the government is fast tracking cyber security efforts due to an increase in digital transactions. This explains a motivation but does not show that the Centre will actually work as described.Step 4: Option B refers to past cyber attacks and other measures taken. Again, this is background information and does not specifically support the effectiveness of this particular Centre.Step 5: Option E states that private companies already monitor their own networks. This might even suggest that a national centre is less necessary, so it does not strongly support the argument.Step 6: Therefore the statement that most strongly supports the argument is option C.

Verification / Alternative check:

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A explains urgency but not effectiveness.
• Option B presents the broader context of cyber attacks and government measures without highlighting the unique contribution of the Centre.
• Option D claims that none supports the argument, which is incorrect because C clearly does.
• Option E may even undermine the need for a national centre by implying that private efforts are already in place.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing contextual or motivational information with direct support for the specific project.
• Choosing an option simply because it mentions cyber attacks, without considering whether it proves the Centre will work.
• Overlooking action focused phrasing such as take action in real time, which directly supports the goal.

Final Answer:
The argument is most strongly supported by the statement that the Centre will monitor the flow of cyber traffic, analyze upcoming attacks, and take preventive action in real time.