Need for India-centric cyber security system

New Delhi, May 19: Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallamraju has stressed on having an India-centric national cyber security response system to deal with the increasing threats in cyberspace and growing global cyber terrorism.

Inaugurating a seminar on 'Promoting Global cyber Security', organised by the Institution of Engineers India here last evening, he said the Indian initiative against cyberspace crimes would seek to bring together governments and the national and international private sector to fight the growing menace.

''The new response system will serve as a pioneer platform to allow various states governments, public sector companies and corporates and individuals of the country to exchange notes and ideas, as well as to facilitate the sharing of skills and best practices, with the ultimate objective of combating these constantly evolving threats,'' the minister said.

''Cyber security is not entirely government concern, given that some of the best skills and technologies in cyber-security reside in the private sector, it is only natural that all governments need to work closely with businesses to effectively combat cyber-terrorism,'' he said.

Mr Pallamraju said the potential to wreak havoc and cause disruption to people, firms, governments and entire global systems had increased as the world became more globalised and dependent on information and communications technology (ICT).

''Today, governments across the world must be prepared to deal with threats in cyberspace. Even if one were to exclude the risks to life and limb, the economic loss caused by the disruption of a cyber-attack can be truly severe, for example, a nationwide blackout, collapse of trading systems or perhaps the crippling of a central bank cheque clearing system,'' he said.

Speaking on the occasion, IEI Chairman R K Bagrodia said the threats posed by cyber-terrorism were something that modern societies and their governments could no longer ignore.

''No country can manage this problem in isolation and to effectively overcome this global threat, it is imperative that countries throughout the world work in concert to wipe out this danger.'' In his key note address Army Cyber Security Establishment Director Col M S Lamba stressed on having strict cyberspace laws and means of enforcement as all major installments, government working, airports, railways were dependent on computers and internet.

He also stressed that the country should have proper cyber security education and awareness programme. For small virus problems, even an individual computer user has to rush to people who are not qualified to tackle the problem, he added.

''Setting up of national emergency response system as done in other countries will help, both the government and the private sector, to fight the biggest threat to any country in history,'' he added.

UNI