India: Cyber Security Doctrine Needed Against Cyber Threats-NSAB

          

NEW DELHI (NNN-UNI) -- National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) Chairman Naresh Chandra has said there is a need of cyber security doctrine to build an effective defence system against cyber security threats which threaten the country's security.

"Cyber security threats are very real and pose a serious danger to our security systems. It transcends geographical and domain boundaries and is not subject to control through physical security," he said delivering the sixth R N Kao Memorial Lecture on 'India’s Security Challenges in the Next Decade, Role of Intelligence.' He said the cyber security threat includes fraud, espionage, sabotage, and propaganda.-

Mr Chandra said there was a need of developing considerable expertise in the areas of cryptography, network security and information security for adequate cyber security.

"In fact, establishing and following a cyber security doctrine is the first step to build an effective defence system," he added.

Mr Chandra said threats and actual attacks have been becoming more amd more unpredictable which requires preventive measures and contingency plans to deal effectively with the crisis in quick time.

The NSAB chairman added that earlier the premier intelligence agencies concentrated mainly on strategic intelligence, leaving technical intelligence mostly to security forces and police.

"Now there is need for greater emphasis on collecting both strategic and technical intelligence. There is increasing requirement for timely and specific intelligence on which rapid response can be planned and executed," he said.

He further stressed on the need of effective systems and mechanisms for sharing all worthwhile actionable intelligence without delay and for coordination in the follow-up action or response.

This requires a holistic view of the entire network through which information flows to the departments and agencies of the Central and state governments.

Further, he said, India has been steadily building capabilities to take care of its security concerns largely on its own, but some concerns have international dimensions.

Mr Chandra said in this matter diplomacy and strategic partnerships would play an important role, but there was also a need of intelligence cooperation with major powers and countries particularly in combating international terrorism. --NNN-UNI