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.

Cyber Security In India Needs Rejuvenation

Cyber security in India needs good political, public and policy support. Issues like cyber law, cyber terrorism, cyber crimes, cyber espionage, cyber war, etc have been long neglected by India. This is detrimental to national security of India and internal security of India.

Strategic information plays a crucial role in launching an attack as well as preventing the same. Similarly, sensitive information in the hands of enemy, cyber terrorists, etc may also not be good for India.

Critical ICT infrastructure protection (CIIP) in India also necessitates that India must pay enough attention to cyber security issues. The Home Ministry, India is stressing too much upon issues like diluting encryption standards of Blackberry, a product of research in motion, e-surveillance of e-mails, telephone tapping capabilities, national intelligence grid (Natgrid), etc.

All these projects would prove to be landmines for India in the absence of proper laws and effective cyber security. Take the example of unique identification project of India (UID Project of India) or Aadhar project of India. It is managed by Nandan Nilekani as the chairman of unique identification authority of India (UIDAI). It would collect crucial biometric information and other details of Indians without any law that protects it from illegal data thefts, privacy breaches, etc. If such a crucial database is targeted by cyber criminals, much worst can happen.

According to Praveen Dalal, CEO of the exclusive techno legal cyber security research and training centre of India (CSRTCI) and managing partner of Perry4Law, India is not yet prepared for cyber threats. In fact, projects like Aadhar, Natgrid, CCTNS, etc are going to create more trouble than solution in the absence of proper laws and effective cyber security, says Dalal.

It seems India has misplaced its priorities and is engaging in unproductive and unconstitutional projects that are neither viable nor legal. Indian government must address these issues as soon as possible in the larger interest of India.