The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday approved the A.P. Cyber Security Framework (APCSF) for effective implementation of AP Cyber Security Policy 2017 (APCSP).
The APCSP proposed the establishment of architectures for securing government cyberspace, an A.P. Computer Response Team, a Security Operations Centre, Security Assurance Framework and A.P. Information Sharing Network.
A G.O. facilitating the creation of APCSF was issued on behalf of K. Vijayanand, Principal Secretary of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications.
According to the G.O., the Government of India had notified the National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP) in 2013 and laid down strategies for building secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and the government.
It was stated that the A.P. Government has been a pioneer in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for delivery of public services and it had felt the need to establish A.P. Cyber Security Policy to complement and supplement the NCSP.
The A.P. Cyber Security Policy, 2017 was then issued and A.P. Technology Services Limited (APTSL) appointed as the nodal agency. The APTSL had established the A.P. Cyber Security Operation Centre at Vijayawada in April 2018.
Naidu’s message
In his message contained in the draft of the APCSF, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that A.P. has been in the forefront of IT initiatives and leads other States in the implementation of e-Governance and use of e-Office systems. As the State became a part of the global economy and the connected world, it faced the ever-present danger of cyber threats. The stability and security of the government’s critical infrastructure and safety of people have become important.
“The APCSF gives us the ability to clearly understand emerging threats, and continuously monitor our IT systems. This is the first step to help us put our defences in place to protect from malicious actors”, the Chief Minister said.