Saturday, December 11, 2010

Critical ICT Infrastructure Protection In India

Critical infrastructure protection (CIP) in India (CIP in India) is an essential part of homeland security of India. Homeland security is assuming importance these days in India. However, homeland security of India needs urgent rejuvenation as the same is not up to the mark. As the concept is new, it would be fair if India take two or more years to streamline its homeland security.

Further, cyber security issues are also closely related to homeland security of India. On the front of cyber security as well India has to cover a long distance. India must develop cyber security capabilities as soon as possible.

Cyber Security and Homeland Security are in infancy stage in India, says Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Perry4Law and leading techno legal expert of India. Both of them are very important to preserve India’s Critical ICT Infrastructure Protection. Further, India also needs a separate Framework for Cyber Security, CIP and Homeland Security issues, suggest Praveen Dalal.

With the growing cyber threats against India like cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, cyber espionage, etc, it is very much required to have good cyber security strategy in India. India also needs to formulate suitable ICT policy covering all these crucial issues.

However, of all the requirements the most important one pertains to techno legal skill development in India. Indian government or its agencies do not have sufficient numbers of skill workforce to deal with issues like cyber law, cyber security, cyber forensics, cyber warfare, cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, etc.

We have just a single techno legal cyber security research, training and education centre (CSRTCI) in India. The CSRTCI is managed by Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB), one of the techno legal segments of Perry4Law and spearheaded by Praveen Dalal himself.

Finally, India has also not shown much interest in formulation of techno-legal crisis management plan (CMP). Although many talks in this regard have been undertaken, a concrete action in this regard is still awaiting.

Home Minister P Chidambaram must take initiative regarding cyber security, cyber forensics, cyber warfare, etc. Home Ministry is currently undertaking projects like Natgrid, CCTNS, etc and it would be a good idea to cover areas like CIP, homeland security, and CMP as well.