Cyber Security Challenges In India

Cyber security breaches are increasing world over and India is also facing serious cyber threats. Malware like Stuxnet, Duqu, Flame, Uroburos/Snake, Blackshades, FinFisher, Gameover Zeus, etc have proved that companies and governments cannot remain aloof of cyber threats anymore. There are numerous cyber security challenges before the Narendra Modi government and the same must be addressed on a priority basis.

India has been facing shortage of skilled cyber security professionals. Further, indigenous hardware and software production is also not upto the mark. The electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) policy of India would be a landmark achievement in this regard. With local hardware and software competence and independence, we can better focus upon cyber security skills development in India.

India needs to work at the international diplomacy and cooperation levels as well. Recently India opposed the idea of including cyber security technologies under the Wassenaar Arrangement as till date India is not self dependent in this field. However, once local competence is achieved, such issues would not bother India anymore.

The cyber security trends in India (Pdf) provided by Perry4Law’s Techno Legal Base (PTLB) has stressed upon development of cyber security capabilities in India. This includes both offensive and defensive cyber security capabilities of India. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has reiterated the need for such capabilities on numerous counts.

India is also required to align her legal frameworks according to the contemporary developments. For instance, we need a dedicated cyber security law of India on the one hand and repeal of Indian cyber and telegraph laws on the other.

These cyber security challenges of India must be addressed as soon as possible as India has already delayed this issue for many years.