Cyber security facilitates economic stability: Kapil Sibal

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Union government launched on Tuesday the much-awaited Cyber Security Policy-2013. The framework is aimed at reducing national vulnerabilities to deter cyber attacks, protection of critical information, and effective investigation and prosecution of cyber crimes.

The policy, unveiled by the Union Telecom and Law Minister, Kapil Sibal, is one of the benchmarks in securing cyber space that has put India in the elite club of countries having similar initiatives. It also endeavors to cultivate cyber culture in the government, civil society and corporate sector.

The real challenge, Sibal felt, would be the operational aspect of the policy. "Today, services are being offered in cyber space, which is a paradigm shift, and it needs to be secured and protected," he said. Sibal also stressed upon the need to evolve global standards.

"Security in cyber space means economic stability. The entire service economy in cyber space needs to be secured to compliment banking activities and curtail power theft," he said. The initiative ultimately would empower public and there have been very few nations that have a cyber security policy in place, the minister informed.

Sibal also iterated that businesses should realize the need to safeguard cyber space before they engage in e-commerce activities. The government, he said, will help SMBs mitigate their security concerns and encourage them to protect data.

India, he said, has embarked on a foolproof roadmap, for which indigenous manufacturing of chips and creation of domestic fab industry is vital. For the purpose, the Ministry of Communications and IT is also tabling a proposal before the Cabinet for necessary approvals.

At the event, Minister of State for Communications and IT, Milind Deora, said that people are increasingly becoming dependent on the Internet. "Today, the threats are different; hackers are faceless and virtual. There have been an increase in cyber attacks in India and globally. Cyber security policy would safeguard individuals and corporate data," said Deora.

DeitY secretary, J. Sathyanarayana, pointed out that the need of cyber security had increased manifold. "We have formulated this policy after extensive consultation for more than a year," he said, adding that through this policy, they would monitor cyber space and reduce threats of cyber attacks.