Cyber Security is among the leaders in emerging technologies in the world. Dealing with the security of Cyberspace, the virtual environment where people and software interact over a complex web of computer networks, Cyber Security is on the path towards gaining increasing prominence as we move towards a technology driven future. Currently, the size of the industry is estimated to be USD 100 Billion,
and is projected to grow to USD 170 Billion by 2020.
Government and military organizations, and other businesses, store and process significant volumes confidential data, regularly transmitted across networks, thereby increasing the exposure to cyber threats. The potential damages can not only lead to monetary losses, but also put national security at stake if critical information infrastructure is targeted.
Two cyber incidents that stand out in the recent past are the 2016 heist of Bangladesh Bank and the 2015 power outage in Ukraine affecting over 225,000 citizens. The Ukraine attack was the first confirmed attack in the world to have taken down a power grid. Such incidents expose the vulnerabilities in a world where more and more data and processes are being shifted online. Hence, protection of data is gradually
positioning itself as a priority of any 21st century Government.
Ensuring a safe cyberspace is of paramount importance to Telangana, whose growth story is driven primarily by Information and Communication Technology, one of the critical sectors that rides on and resides in the cyberspace. Hyderabad, which is home to the top 5 technology firms in the world, is next only to Bangalore in terms of IT exports and contributes to more than 10% of the total IT exports of the country. In the next 5 years, Telangana plans to establish 3 Tier II cities as IT Hubs and double the IT exports value by focusing on new-age technologies like cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things, which are expected to increase automation and improve the quality of living. However, they also bring in a horde of other challenges pertaining to cyber security.
Within the next 20 years, these sectors will advance in incomprehensible ways, and it becomes the responsibility of every state to be at the crest of this change. It is extremely important to send out a strong and clear message in this direction. A robust cyber security policy will ensure that citizens are protected in the cyber space, the state is well equipped to meet the cyber security challenges, and a conducive atmosphere is created for investors.
India has taken its first step towards ensuring a safe cyberspace to all its stakeholders in 2000, when it passed the IT Act 2000. The act was later amended giving way to the IT (amendment) Act 2008, mainly to cover security related issues. Various other initiatives were simultaneously undertaken by the Government of India to address cyber security challenges. One such initiative was the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, which has been functional since 2004 and is actively involved with mitigating cyber crime. To integrate all the initiatives in this area and tackle the fast-changing nature of cyber crimes, the Government has launched the National Cyber Security Policy in 2013. Initiatives such
as setting up the NCCC, NCIIPC, creating sectoral CERTs under CERT-In to deal with sector specific security issues were taken up through this policy.
Although this is a step in the right direction, the destination lies far ahead. 2015 has witnessed a rise in cyber crime, with over 94% of organizations facing major threats. However, most firms have not started taking cyber crime seriously, with only 74% firms conducting a detailed annual IT and cyber risk assessment. Additionally, the number of cybercrime cases registered in India has been growing at a CAGR of over 100% in the last 5 years. Technology typically has an exponential growth rate. So is the case with cybercrime which goes hand in hand with technology.
Although the Government of India has passed laws and set up agencies, the onus is on the individual States to take up initiatives, drive on-ground implementation and ensure that a safe cyber space is created in the local environment. Hence, it becomes imperative for each state to adopt a dynamic approach to maintain a safe cyber space through effective and ever evolving policies.
Telangana Cyber Security Policy Download here : Cyber Security Policy
