Cyber safety and security are critical for any nation striving to secure its digital landscape. In a recently concluded National Conference on Cyber Safety and National Security in New Delhi, the importance of mass awareness for the prevention of cybercrimes was underscored. The conference was part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating India’s 75th year of independence.
Understanding Cyber Safety
Cyber safety refers to the combined activities and measures aimed at safeguarding cyberspace networks, hardware, devices software, as well as the data they contain and communicate. These measures protect against all threats, including those posing risks to national security. In light of the formation of cyber armies – groups of IT-savvy soldiers launching cyberattacks against countries, including India – cyber security has a direct correlation to national security.
Escalating Cyber Safety Threats in India
India’s commitment to its Digital India vision has contributed to the country becoming one of the fastest-growing markets for digital technologies. Key initiatives such as the creation of broadband highways, introduction of services like Digi Locker, and e-governance schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana all fuel digital adoption. This digitisation, while beneficial, increases the potential for digital threats leading to cyber-attacks and crimes.
Distinction between Cybercrime and Traditional Criminal Activity
Unlike traditional criminal activity that widely involves physical harm, cybercrime involves the use of computers for illegal activities. These crimes are often committed against individuals, corporations, or governments’ information, causing significant damage to their virtual identities.
Challenges in Maintaining Cyber Safety
As India rushes towards digitisation, collaborations with application service providers have grown significantly. While this improves customer experience, the foreign origin of many hardware and software poses potential threats to India’s national cyber space. Moreover, given the country’s internet user base of over 700 million, monitoring and identifying digital threats becomes a complex task.
Government Initiatives towards Cyber Safety
The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to enhance cyber safety. These include the Cybercrime portal for reporting explicit online content, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) establishing seven pillars to prevent cybercrimes, and India’s national cybersecurity agency CERT-In. Also in place are Cyber Surakshit Bharat and Cyber Swachhta Kendra, both Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) initiatives for developing a robust cybersecurity ecosystem in India. Additionally, the Personal Data Protection Bill safeguards Indian citizens from global data breaches by concentrating on localized data.
Going Forward
To become a cyber-secure nation, India needs a robust cybersecurity strategy that protects government systems, citizens, and businesses. Such a strategy would not only safeguard citizens from cyber threats but also boost investor confidence in the economy. It’s important to emphasize cybersecurity as a significant educational subject at the university and school level. Public officials should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and raise awareness about the growing cyber threat. Setting up a dedicated industry forum for cybersecurity could pave the way for developing trusted indigenous solutions against cyber-attacks.