As an increasingly influential global player, India has many belligerent foes, both external and internal. At the recent Combined Commanders Conference of the Armed Forces, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, referred to the need for India to stand on its own two feet in formulating a robust response to threats facing the nation. The context of the PM’s reference was related to the development of indigenous defence technologies, which is considered a “national security objective”. Indeed, mention was made of the involvement of private industry in achieving these goals.
National security requirements have major implications for the IT industry, especially indigenous technological entities. The PM made the following statement:
“Cyber threats are emerging as a major source of worry. Cyber and information warfare could qualitatively change the concept of a battlefield.”
There is a recognition of the requirement for a close and productive relationship between the Ministry of Defence and private industry, the IT security industry included, in the development of the nation’s defences in all forms of warfare.
A presentation on cyber warfare at the recently concluded Virus Bulletin 2011 security conference suggests that India’s response to and defence against cyber attacks can be considered sub-optimal at this point in time. There is clearly a recognition of this vulnerability in the higher echelons of government and the Ministry of Defence. It remains to be seen how defence policy incorporates the knowledge and skills of the IT security sector in formulating strategies for combating cyber warfare. We must all, of course, do our bit to safeguard the nation’s security.
* Image courtesy of cyberlawsinindia.blogspot.com
Samir Mody
Senior Manager, K7TCL
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