Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit Of Delhi: Will It Succeed?

India is presently facing many cyber security challenges and problems. These challenges and problems pertain to diverse fields and are complicated in nature. Naturally, cyber security problems, issues and challenges management in India is not an easy task. Various cyber security stakeholders are trying to tackle novel cyber security issues in India but with moderate success.

Cyber security, like any other initiative, requires dedicated, actual and ground level work. If the actual work and will is missing, thousands of partnerships and conferences cannot bring any result.

In the past as well we have heard this question “Will the Second Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of London Succeed”?  After more than a year of posing of this question, it seems to have been answered in “negative”. Coincidentally, the Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of New Delhi, India is in progress. Now the question is “Will the Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of Delhi Succeed”?

In the absence of actual and practical efforts in the direction of ensuring cyber security in India, mere conferences and policy formulation would not bring desired results. Of course, real and effective techno legal cyber security initiatives of India like National Cyber Security Database of India (NCSDI) and Cyber Security Research and Development Centre of India (CSRDCI) can be really helpful in bringing ground level and actual cyber security improvement and strengthening efforts in India.

Let us hope that India would move forward from mere declaration and conferences to actual and ground level works.

Will The Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit Of Delhi Succeed?

Cyber security, like any other initiative, requires dedicated, actual and ground level work. If the actual work and will is missing, thousands of partnerships and conferences cannot bring any result.

Of course, techno legal initiatives like National Cyber Security Database of India (NCSDI) and Cyber Security Research and Development Centre of India (CSRDCI) can be really helpful in bringing ground level and actual cyber security improvement and strengthening efforts in India.

In the past as well we have heard this question “Will the Second Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of London Succeed”?  After more than a year of posing of this question, it seems to have been answered in “negative”. Coincidentally, the Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of New Delhi, India is in progress. Now the question is “Will the Third (3rd) Worldwide Cyber Security Summit of Delhi Succeed”?

We are reposting below this guest post of Praveen Dalal, managing partner of Perry4Law and CEO of PTLB for the larger debate on this issue.

One of the major problems with Cyber Law and Cyber Security is that it is International in nature. Nations across the World are committing mistake by considering it a National Issue and giving it a National Treatment.

This is also the main reason why we have no Cyber Law in many countries and a poor Cyber Law in some countries like India. Since there is no “International Obligation” to prevent Cyber Crimes and to protect the Cyber Rights and Properties of its Citizens, a country may have little incentives to stress upon Strong Cyber Law and Robust Cyber Security.

Consider the example of India. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act 2000) is the sole Cyber Law of India. It has been amended through the Information Technology Amendment Act 2008 (IT Act 2008). The purpose of IT Act 2008 was neither to strengthen the Cyber Law of India not to cater the growing needs of Cyber Security in India. Its main purpose was to empower Indian Government and its Agencies to indulge in Unaccountable and Unconstitutional E-Surveillance and Eavesdropping. The truth is that Cyber Law of India needs urgent repeal.

Further we have no Cyber Security in India, Cyber Security Policies and Strategies in India and Cyber Security Laws in India. Even India is not a party to any International Convention or Treaty on Cyber Law. This explains why India is the only country that has made its Cyberspace a “Safe Heaven” for Cyber Criminals by making almost all the Cyber Crimes Bailable.

Even US has said that existing Public International Law(s) are sufficient for meeting the Cyber Law and Cyber Security requirements at the International level. Now if both US and India are not serious about “International Harmonisation” of Cyber Law and Cyber Security Framework, they can be little benefited out of Conferences like the Second Worldwide Cyber Security Summit Of London.

US has recently revealed its International Strategy for Cyberspace. Further, an India US Cyber Security Cooperation has also been signed recently. However, these are “Piecemeal Efforts” as without “International Harmonisation” Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Attacks cannot be effectively tackled.

International Organisations must be more proactive towards fighting Cyber Crimes at International level. Time has come to abandon the “Bilateral Agreements” approach and adopt Multilateral and International Harmonisation approach.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Cyber Security Initiatives Of India

The cyber security landscape for India is undergoing a fast change. Thanks to some very good techno legal initiatives by private cyber security players of India, cyber security of India is back on track.

For instance, Perry4Law techno Legal Base (PTLB) has launched many far reaching and significant techno legal cyber security initiatives in India. The cyber security research and development centre of India (CSRDCI) is the exclusive techno legal cyber security centre of India managed by PTLB. Similarly, PTLB is also managing the exclusive techno legal national cyber security database of India (NCSDI) that is the exclusive techno legal database of cyber and information security professionals of India.
  
However, there are many more cyber security issues in India that are still required to be addressed by our policy makers. Cyber security in India and its challenges and problems are too vast to be managed by a single organisation or even by Indian government.

According to Praveen Dalal, managing partner of Perry4Law and CEO of PTLB, Sophisticated Malware like Stuxnet, Duqu, Flame, etc have already proved that Critical Infrastructures around the World like Power Grids, Nuclear Facilities, Satellites, Defense Networks, Governmental Informatics Infrastructures, etc are vulnerable to diverse range of Cyber Attacks. The truth is that Cyber Attacks are affecting Indian Critical Infrastructure and we are not even aware of the same.

There is no doubt that managing India’s cyber security problems, issues and challenges is not an easy task rather it is a mammoth task to achieve. Critical infrastructure protection in India is urgently needed. Even Indian government has realised this fact and it has announced the establishment of national critical information infrastructure protection centre (NCIPC) of India.  

The department of electronics and information technology (DeitY) has already proposed a central monitoring system (CMS) project of India to monitor and intercept electronic communications, messages and information. Further, a national telecom network security coordination board (NTNSCB) of India has also been proposed to strengthen the national telecom security of India.

Similarly, the home ministry of India has also launched national intelligence grid (Natgrid) project of India, crime and criminal tracking networks and systems (CCTNS) project of India, national counter terrorism centre (NCTC) of India, etc. These projects intend to strengthen the intelligence gathering and counter terrorism capabilities of India. These projects also intend to strengthen the cyber security of India as well.

The cyber security capabilities of India must be strengthened. Both offensive and defensive cyber security capabilities of India must be developed. This can be done by ensuring cyber security skills and capabilities development in India. We have to train our manpower in a techno legal manner keeping in kind the contemporary cyber security requirements. Let us hope for the best in this regard.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Cyber Security Of India Under Transformation

This is the updated version of the article posted by my colleague Catherine Fernandes. For some technical reasons the article has failed to appear at Google news. We are reposting the same here for the larger benefit of our readers.

Our readers must be well aware of the cyber security environment of India that has been passing through a stage of transformation. From complete apathy to giving cyber security a serious consideration, we have witnesses many stages in India.

While discussing cyber security of India is a good sign for Indian cyber security yet we have already done enough talks and it is the actual implementation of cyber security initiatives that is required at this stage.

Indian government has already decided to adopt public private partnership (PPP) model to implement its cyber security initiatives. This is a good decision as no government of the world can possess on its own the requisite cyber security expertise to manage growing cyber threats.

Serious cyber threats have been threatening the critical infrastructures of India and there is a dire need to manage critical infrastructure protection in India. For instance, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, cyber espionage, etc are some cyber threats where we need to develop both offensive and defensive cyber security capabilities in India. Further, cyber security skills development in India is also needed.

While Indian government has ignored cyber security of India for long yet some private players have been playing a pro active role in this regard. For instance, Perry4Law, Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) and Perry4Law Techno Legal ICT Training Centre (PTLITC) have launched exclusive techno legal cyber forensics research centre of India, cyber security research centre of India and cyber crimes investigation centre of India for long.

These centers would help in modernisation of police force of India and fighting against cyber crimes, cyber attacks and other menaces of cyberspace. Further, cyber crimes investigation training in India by PTLB can also be helpful. In short, cyber security in India has been rejuvenated by private players that further needs governmental support.

The starting point can be formulation of an effective cyber security policy of India that must be actually implemented at grass root levels. No matter howsoever good the intentions and announcements may be they are useless if they are not implemented in a timely and effective manner. India government must take help of techno legal institutions like PTLB and PTLITC to effectively manage its cyber security related tasks.

PTLB Strengthened Cyber Security Of India

Cyber security of India is the popular discussion these days. This is a good sign for the cyber security of India. However, we have already done enough talks and it is the actual implementation of cyber security initiatives that is required at this stage.

Serious cyber threats have been endangering the critical infrastructures of India and there is an urgent need to ensure critical infrastructure protection in India. For instance, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, cyber espionage, etc are some areas where we need to develop both offensive and defensive cyber security capabilities in India. Further, cyber security skills development in India is also required.

While Indian government has always ignored cyber security of India yet some private players have been playing a pro active role in this regard. To cite an example, Perry4Law, Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) and Perry4Law Techno Legal ICT Training Centre (PTLITC) have launched exclusive techno legal cyber forensics research centre of India, cyber security research centre of India and cyber crimes investigation centre of India for long.

These centers would help in modernisation of police force of India and fighting against cyber crimes, cyber attacks and other menaces of cyberspace. Further, cyber crimes investigation training in India by PTLB can also be helpful. In short, cyber security in India has been rejuvenated by private players that further needs governmental support.

The starting point can be formulation of an effective cyber security policy of India that must be actually implemented at grass root levels. No matter howsoever good the intentions and announcements may be they are useless if they are not implemented in a timely and effective manner. India government must take help of techno legal institutions like PTLB and PTLITC to effectively manage its cyber security related tasks.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Cyber Security In India Rejuvenated By Private Players

Cyber security issues in India are in discussion these days. Whether it is private players or government officials, cyber security is the theme of their discussions. Even cyber security firms and companies in India have become active. However, cyber security issues and challenges in India are still daunting enough to think seriously about Indian cyber security.


Indian government has launched many complex projects like CCTNS, National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Of India, Central Monitoring System (CMS) Project Of India, etc that require techno legal expertise.

According to Praveen Dalal, managing partner of ICT law firm Perry4Law and CEO of Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) India cannot afford to adopt this “Lax Cyber Security Strategy” at this crucial period of time when Cyber Crimes and Cyber Attacks, Terrorism and Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage, Organised Crimes, Trans Border Crimes, White Collar Crimes, etc are plaguing India. We urgently need an Implementable Cyber Security Policy of India, opines Praveen Dalal. We have been working in these crucial directions for long and are further Strengthening our Cyber Security Initiatives, inform Praveen Dalal.

In fact, Perry4Law, Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) and Perry4Law Techno Legal ICT Training Centre (PTLITC) have already been managing exclusive cyber forensics research centre of India, cyber security research centre of India and cyber crimes investigation centre of India. These centers would help in modernisation of police force of India and fighting against cyber crimes, cyber attacks and other menaces of cyberspace. Further, cyber crimes investigation training in India by PTLB can also be helpful.

There is an urgent need to engage in public private partnership between Indian government and private cyber security institutions like PTLB and PTLITC. Further, assistance of Perry4Law can also be taken while formulating legal frameworks pertaining to cyber security in India. Let us hope Indian government would be serious this time and take assistance of Perry4Law, PTLB and PTLITC.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Cyber Security In India Rejuvenated By PTLB

Cyber security issues in India have always vexed India for long. Cyber security has also been ignored in India for long and it is only now that some interest in cyber security field has been shown in India by the Indian government.

However, there are some private players who have been instrumental in spreading awareness about cyber security related aspects in India. The most prominent among these cyber security players are Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB).

Perry4Law and PTLB have single handily managed to provide robust cyber security policy framework and cyber security awareness among various stakeholders. In fact, many good and exclusive techno legal initiatives have been launched by Perry4Law and PTLB in the past five years.

Now dedicated platforms have been opened by Perry4Law and PTLB to further rejuvenate cyber security in India. Some of the initiatives of Perry4Law and PTLB include cyber security research centre of India by PTLB, virtual e-learning campus in India by PTLB, lifelong techno legal education in India by Perry4Law, cyber security software repository of India by PTLB, etc.

According to Praveen Dalal, managing partner of Perry4Law and CEO of PTLB, there are numerous cyber security challenges in India that are still unredressed. He believes that India's cyber security challenges are unique to Indian conditions and they require local treatment and solutions. Cyber security issues in India require a dedicated effort on the part of Indian stakeholders, opines Praveen Dalal.

There cannot be a second opinion about these suggestions. We are already facing issues like cyber warfare against India, critical infrastructure protection in India, cyber terrorism against India, cyber espionage against India, etc. These issues need urgent attention of Indian government and various cyber security stakeholders of India.

The initiatives and efforts of PTLB in the direction of strengthening of cyber security in India are really praiseworthy. We look forward for more initiatives from Perry4Law and PTLB in the future.