India's cyberspace intelligence agency to be functional from June
NEW DELHI: In wake of the unprecedented rise in the digital transactions in the country, the government is fast-tracking its efforts to build a robust cyber security ecosystem. The country’s apex cyberspace intelligence agency, the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), will become functional in June this year while sector specific computer emergency response teams (CERT) for industries such as power, communications etc, will also be created, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Electronics and IT said on Tuesday.
Prasad was speaking at the launch of the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre called the Cyber Swachhta Kendra, which will help individuals and organisations in analysing malware and botnets that affect networks and systems.
Prasad said that India is on the path of becoming one trillion dollar digital economy over the coming years and will need to have strong cybersecurity to facilitate it. Prasad said that while the ministry has already launched a division for digital payments under CERT and a financial CERT is also being set up, states will be encouraged to set up their own CERTs. Among the other measures announced were 10 more Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification facilities to be set up and testing fee for any startup that comes up with a digital technology in the area of cyber security to be reduced by 50 per cent.
Prasad also said that designated forensic labs will be empowered to work as the certified authority to establish cybercrime.
"India today joined the distinguished club of countries that have malware-cleaning systems for the use of its citizens. As of now, we have 13 banks and internet service providers using this facility. With the expanding digital footprint in the country, I see a surge in startups in the area of cyber security by the end of the year," Prasad said.
As of now 58 internet service providers and 13 banks have come on board to use this system. "The project has budget outlay of Rs.90 crore spread over the period of 5 years," CERT-In Director General Sanjay Bahl said.
"This centre will work in coordination with the internet service providers (ISPs) and Industry. This Kendra will also enhance awareness among citizens regarding botnet and malware infection along with measures to be taken to secure their devices," Prasad added.
Whenever an infection is detected, the Centre will send alerts on the infected IP addresses to the Internet Service Providers, who in turn will inform the enduser about the malware and botnet infections on their system. The Centre will also work in close collaboration with the Banks to detect malware infections in their banking network and enable remedial actions.
Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, "With the increased penetration of ICT infrastructure in our country, the threat of cyber security has become more serious and visible. Today, the common man is confronted with hacking, spamming, malware and loss of data, yet public awareness about these issues and how to protect themselves is extremely low. There is a need to collaborate and come forth with solutions like the Cyber Swachhta Kendra in order to ensure a safe and secure cyber world for the citizens of India."
Prasad was speaking at the launch of the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre called the Cyber Swachhta Kendra, which will help individuals and organisations in analysing malware and botnets that affect networks and systems.
Prasad said that India is on the path of becoming one trillion dollar digital economy over the coming years and will need to have strong cybersecurity to facilitate it. Prasad said that while the ministry has already launched a division for digital payments under CERT and a financial CERT is also being set up, states will be encouraged to set up their own CERTs. Among the other measures announced were 10 more Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification facilities to be set up and testing fee for any startup that comes up with a digital technology in the area of cyber security to be reduced by 50 per cent.
Prasad also said that designated forensic labs will be empowered to work as the certified authority to establish cybercrime.
"India today joined the distinguished club of countries that have malware-cleaning systems for the use of its citizens. As of now, we have 13 banks and internet service providers using this facility. With the expanding digital footprint in the country, I see a surge in startups in the area of cyber security by the end of the year," Prasad said.
As of now 58 internet service providers and 13 banks have come on board to use this system. "The project has budget outlay of Rs.90 crore spread over the period of 5 years," CERT-In Director General Sanjay Bahl said.
"This centre will work in coordination with the internet service providers (ISPs) and Industry. This Kendra will also enhance awareness among citizens regarding botnet and malware infection along with measures to be taken to secure their devices," Prasad added.
Whenever an infection is detected, the Centre will send alerts on the infected IP addresses to the Internet Service Providers, who in turn will inform the enduser about the malware and botnet infections on their system. The Centre will also work in close collaboration with the Banks to detect malware infections in their banking network and enable remedial actions.
Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, "With the increased penetration of ICT infrastructure in our country, the threat of cyber security has become more serious and visible. Today, the common man is confronted with hacking, spamming, malware and loss of data, yet public awareness about these issues and how to protect themselves is extremely low. There is a need to collaborate and come forth with solutions like the Cyber Swachhta Kendra in order to ensure a safe and secure cyber world for the citizens of India."
