Cyber Terrorism In India And Its Preparedness

Cyber terrorism in India is no more a new concept. India has been facing constant cyber security attacks. Further, cyber terrorism attacks are also common in Indian cyberspace though their execution and detection is by and large unnoticeable and undetected in India.

Cyber terrorism is becoming a big nuisance for India and India has to be technologically as well as legally sound to tackle the same. There is an emergent need to amend the cyber law of India, i.e. Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act, 2000) in this regard as a single provision is not sufficient as per the cyber law experts.

Even there is no national ICT crisis management plan of India that is addressing the menace of cyber terrorism in India. The critical infrastructure of India has become vulnerable due to inadequate cyber security. This vulnerability can not only be exploited by cyber criminals but also be the cyber terrorists.

Securing the critical national infrastructure of India from cyber attacks should be a priority area for India. This requires formulating a cyber security policy of India that is presently missing. Without a cyber security policy and strategy of India, the cyber security initiatives of India are directionless.

Even there is no legal framework for cyber security in India. By incorporating a few ineffective and irrelevant provisions in the IT Act 2000, Indian government thinks that it has the cyber security law in India.

In fact, cyber terrorism preparedness must be an essential part of the homeland security of India. Homeland security of India must be strengthened and in order to do so we must take care of issues like cyber law, cyber security, cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, etc.

Homeland Security is in infancy stage in India, says Praveen Dalal, Managing Partner of Perry4Law and leading techno legal expert of India. Further, India also needs a separate Framework for Cyber Security, Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Warfare, Homeland Security issues, etc suggest Praveen Dalal.

Clearly, India has not yet taken enough initiatives to tackle the menace of cyber terrorism. Lack of legislative skills seems to be the main reason why India is running short of good and effective cyber legislations.

India must urgently enact a suitable cyber security policy and homeland security that clearly demarcates its preparedness to deal with growing menace of cyber attacks and cyber terrorism activities against India.

Homeland Security And Civil Liberties In India

Homeland security has assumed tremendous importance all over the world. Homeland security in India is also assuming importance and India is considering improving the same. However, homeland security is a highly specialised and collaborative model.

India has not yet actively considered homeland security. Even projects like CCTNS, Natgrid, modernisation of police force, e-surveillance and lawful interception, etc are poorly formulated and badly implemented.

Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) is the exclusive techno legal institution of India that is providing research, training, legislation making and policy making expertise in India.

It has been providing techno legal research, training, education and policy making in the fields like homeland security, cyber law, cyber security, cyber forensics, cyber war, cyber espionage, corporate espionage, cyber terrorism, CCTNS, Natgrid, NCTC, etc.

A special effort must be made by Indian government for reconciliation of civil liberties with the national security interests of India. Indian government must keep in mind the pressing requirements of civil liberties protection in cyberspace.

PTLB is managing a techno legal centre for protection of human rights in cyberspace (HRPIC). The main objective of this centre is to provide techno legal research, training and policy making so that homeland security and civil liberties interests can be reconciled.

Homeland Security In India

Homeland security is an important aspect of India’s internal security. India is increasingly facing issues like cyber crimes, cyber terrorism, cyber security breaches, cyber warfare, cyber espionage, etc. This is the main reason why we are considering establishment of cyber warfare capabilities in India.

Further, lawful e-surveillance capabilities are also assuming importance these days in India due to growing concerns of civil liberties in cyberspace. If the e-surveillance conducted by the Indian government and its agencies is beyond what is approved by the laws of India and Indian Constitution, the same may be challenged before a court of law.

Similarly, private individuals are also engaging in e-surveillance with over the shelf hardware and software. This has seriously breached the privacy rights of Indian citizens.

Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) is the exclusive techno legal institution of India. It has been providing techno legal research, training, education and policy making in the fields like cyber law, cyber security, cyber forensics, cyber war, cyber espionage, corporate espionage, cyber terrorism, CCTNS, Natgrid, NCTC, etc.

It is also providing best practices in homeland security, techno legal solutions against cyber terrorism, best practices for securing networks from cyber attacks, best practices for cyber security, best practices for cyber forensics, etc. It has also suggested for the formulation of a centralised ICT control system of law enforcement and intelligence agencies in India.

India must keep in mind that homeland security is techno legal in nature rather than purely technical or purely legal. The present schemes and projects of India are not appreciating this vital requirement and India must remove this irregularity as soon as possible.