The cyber security threats emanating from malware
like Stuxnet,
Duqu,
Flame, Uroburos/Snake,
Blackshades,
FinFisher,
Gameover
Zeus (GOZ), etc are now well known. No country can afford
to ignore these cyber threats as computer systems are now essential
part of day to day functioning of governments around the world. The
cyberspace landscape of India is also fast
changing and suitable policies must be formulated by the
Modi government to tackle the same effectively.
Cyber security is an international issues and it
requires international
cooperation to be effective. For instance, the cyber
breach of Ebay has international legal ramifications and
one cannot contend that the place of establishment alone would feel
the consequences. However, there are some nations that are not in
favour of international technology transfer in the field of cyber
security. In one such incidence, India has opposed the proposal to
include cyber security technologies under the Wassenaar
Arrangement.
However, cyber
security in India is in a poor condition. Cyber
security of banks in India is also required to be
strengthened. The banks operating in India are not at all serious
about maintaining cyber security of banking related transactions and
this is resulting in many cyber and financial crimes in India. In the
absence of appropriate skills
development and modernisation
of law enforcement agencies of India, police force are
finding it really difficult to solve technology related crimes.
Further, cyber security of sensitive databases like National
Identity Cards would also require strong privacy
protection and cyber security compliances.
Another problematic are is absence of an
implementable telecom
security policy of India. Most of the policies and
regulations in this regard are clearly
unconstitutional in nature as they are neither balanced
nor in compliance with the constitutional requirements. Experts
believe that the stand of Modi government regarding e-surveillance
projects like Central
Monitoring System (CMS) Project of India and Internet
Spy System Network and Traffic Analysis System (NETRA) of India
must be made clear. Otherwise, this would create troubles for the
government as well as for the telecom security policy in the near
future.
The cyber
security challenges for the Modi government must be given
due importance. Cyber security should be an essential
component of the national
security policy of India. The cyber
security trends in India 2013 (PDF) have highlighted major
shortcomings of Indian cyber security initiatives and the same must
be addressed by Modi government as soon as possible. Although
National
Cyber Security Policy (NSCP) 2013 has been declared yet it
needs both updation and implementation as per opinion of cyber
security experts.
We need dedicated cyber
security laws in India and effective cyber security
policies. For instance, we have no cyber
warfare policy of India (PDF) and this is a major lacuna
in the contemporary times. Similarly, critical
infrastructure protection in India (PDF) is also not up to
the mark and it needs to be strengthened. Let us hope that the Modi
government would do needful in this regard.
