Cyber security: Experts call for national policy

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Cyber law experts from India and abroad on Thursday urged the government to unveil a national policy on cyber security as well as make cyber crimes non-bailable to curb their growing menace.

The suggestions were made at a workshop on Cyber Security and Cyber Law, conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here.

"The consensus view amongst the experts was that the Indian government needs to evolve a national security policy which should be implemented in all government departments. Cyber crimes cannot be effectively handled unless the proposed policy is put in place," said P.K. Malhotra, Joint Secretary in the Home Ministry.

Following a recent report that China-based hackers had penetrated and retrieved information from the computers of government departments in India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had conducted a series of internal workshops for employees, on cyber security.

Experts also made a strong plea for making cyber crime a non-bailable offence. A recent amendment of the Information Technology Act (IT Act) made such crimes bailable.

Senior Supreme Court advocate Pavan Duggal emphasized that IT Act should be restored to its original form which made cyber crimes none bailable offence.

The experts also suggested that Cyber Appellate Tribunal (CAT) should be empowered with more powers to ensure all its judgments can only be challenged in the apex court.

In addition, the experts called for constitution of International Court of Cyber Justice, as cyber crimes have no borders. They believe that India should take a lead in this endeavor as it is a global leader in the IT field.