India’s New National Cyber Security Strategy

The number of Internet users in India has more than doubled in the last five years and is expected to be close to one billion by 2025 and as the country progresses in its digital journey the challenges of  cyber crime and nation-state hackers have reached unprecedented levels. Now, the Government of India is planning to unveil a new cyber-security strategy.

The new cyber security strategy will serve as a guideline to handle every aspect such as governance, national data resources, building indigenous capabilities and cyber audit standards. 

Since India does not have a law on cyber security, this new national  cyber security strategy will ensure introduction of a full-fledged cyber security law. 

The prospective cyber security law is significant as India is one of the most highly targeted by cyber criminals. There is also a significant amount of threat from the emerging new technologies such as drones and IoT devices. The government has come up with this new national cyber security strategy to make sure that cyberspace is safe, secure and trusted.

The Cyber Security Strategy Coordinator in the Prime Minister’ Modi's Office. Gen Rajesh Pant said that this strategy would cover the entire ecosystem of cyberspace in India. “The vision of this strategy is to ensure safe, secure, resilient, vibrant, and trusted cyberspace,” he said at a recent event. 

The new strategy would serve as a guideline to tackle cyber security across various parameters, including  strengthening national resource, building local capabilities and national cyber audit standards.

"There are about 80 odd deliverables coming out of this new strategy...  On the national security narrative for the telecom sector, while other nations have created a black-list of companies that cannot operate in the country, India is the only nation to create a white-list of telecom companies that are allowed to operate in India". Pant said.

The International Telecoms Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index produces national ranking based upon five criteria: legal measures, technical measures, organisational measures, capacity development and cooperation. From a previous rating of 106th India has risen to 94th in the current table, suggesting the commitment to improved national cyber security has measurably increased. 

With the threat of cyber attacks mounting against the Indian armed forces, the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is planning to send up to 100 military personnel to US to train in latest cybersecurity technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for future warfare.

DQIndia:     Hindustan Times:     Kathmandu Post:   Economic Times:    New Indian Express:    Analytics Insight: 

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