New Delhi, January 20: Last week’s massive cyber attack on organizations throughout the world has generated serious concern over the security of computer systems installed at key establishments and the steps being taken to ensure their security. Recent disclosures by National Security Advisor N K Narayan that attempts were made to hack NSA’s and few other government offices have brought renewed focus on the alarming situation. Large quantum of Intellectual Property was stolen from companies the world over during last week’s cyber attack. But this is not the first time that such attacks have occurred. It is time to wake up.
Today, terror has a new and apparently invisible face — e-terrorism, one of the most deadly and in potential far more devastating than anything thus far seen. Crimes committed online are grabbing headlines everyday and the number is growing in tandem with the number of users on the Internet. Recent emerging patterns are proof enough that exploitation of computer networks can cause a large corporation or a nation as a whole to come to a standstill. Cyber crime has affected all sectors — banking, defense, education, research, private corporations and so on.
This scenario calls for evolution of a multi-pronged strategy involving strengthening of technological, legal, and political system in the country. Creation of a federal agency would go a long way in curbing and arresting the emerging menace of cyber crime.
While on all fronts the need for the same is not disputed, the effective steps have not been taken on account of political ramblings and matters of expediency. I some quarters, tough terror laws that are eminently needed are diluted and compromised in the name of secularism.
It is indeed heartening to see that at least now the Home Minister P.Chidambram is galvanizing into action mode by engaging in a much-needed house cleaning and reshuffling. The moves being initiated by him range from the creation of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to establishing a network on immigration for registration and tracking of foreigners, and creating a common and central reporting of security agencies. His objective is simple: to be focused and create a secure environment, a lot on the guidelines of Homeland Security in US. Significantly, the role of Information Technology is literally built-in deep in his every initiative.
It may be recalled that in the aftermath of 9/11, laws and policies were amended radically in the US. A stringent and non-forgiving PATRIOT Act was put in place (ignoring the opposition it evoked from the human right activists) and it did a commendable job, although privacy has been an arguable issue associated with it from the outset. It is high time we respond to the threats at hand with similar head-on approach.
To curb, control and fight cyber crime the nation needs to have a Cyber Act in place. And for this a lot of work needs to be done for it to become effective in stopping cyber crime. It has to be tough enough to not let the criminals escape, and broad enough to incorporate wide ranges of cyber crime. We need well-equipped and appropriately trained law enforcement agencies. Most of the work done by our enforcement agencies is in the domain of sleazy e-mails, data theft, and small to medium level hacking, that too only in large metros. The number of cases which result in any outcome is also shockingly low. We call ourselves a world leader in IT but the irony is that we are just not equipped to fight the modern terrorism which poses a serious threat to our integrity and well -being.
It is high time we become proactive, by overcoming the habit to react to crisis. Since technology is an ever changing field we have to ensure our agencies evolve with the changing world. Constant awareness programmes, briefing, and training needs to be done to sharpen the tooth of our agencies.
—Agencies