Does India Have a Policy to Counter Cyber Threat?

Like always, the leader in global trends and ideas, the US, has fast detected the threat of cyber terrorism and cyber war on its soil. Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, recently said that the cyber threat was more visible now following the Iraq/Afghanistan wars and could cripple the country public and private computer systems. Shamoon, a malware that infected Saudi Arabia’s computer systems in the country’s largest oil/gas producer was cited as an example. Panetta also warned of a Pearl Harbour type cyber attack that could take the US by storm. Not surprisingly, the US Congress is on the verge of passing some bills seeking greater military role in cyber security both in the public and private spaces. 

Cyber attacks are capable of crippling a country’s energy, transportation, financial and banking systems. Is India alive to the threat? Even though 60 per cent of our country is living in the 17^th century, a small part is up to date with the latest in modernity. Should the government not set up a division for defensive and offensive positions in cyber security and cyber warfare? There must be joint cooperation between the government, public and private sector to secure India’s computer networks. Meanwhile, the US is getting ready to implement the country biggest defence cut in the next 10 years known as sequestration. Approximately 1 trillion dollars will be cut in military expenditures.