The Central Government has extended the tenure of senior bureaucrat Piyush Goyal as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). NATGRID, established in response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is a secure database aimed at enhancing India’s counterterrorism and security capabilities. It connects intelligence databases from various security agencies, including immigration records, financial transactions, telecom data, and more, to generate valuable intelligence inputs. The system prioritizes data protection through end-to-end encryption and strict authorization protocols, making it accessible only to authorized personnel. Its services are available to central agencies and police departments across states and union territories.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Counterterrorism: This term refers to actions and strategies aimed at preventing and countering acts of terrorism, such as bombings, hijackings, and other violent acts intended to create fear and chaos.
- Big Data and Analytics: Big data refers to the analysis of large and complex datasets, while analytics involves the use of data analysis tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights and patterns from data.
- End-to-End Encryption: It is a security measure that ensures that data remains encrypted from the sender to the recipient and can only be decrypted by the authorized recipient.
- Authorization and Authentication: These are security processes that verify and confirm the identity and permissions of users or systems before granting access to sensitive information.
- Immigration Records: These are official records documenting the entry and exit of individuals into and out of a country, which can be valuable for security and law enforcement purposes.
