The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has been given the responsibility of overseeing India’s cybersecurity efforts. The NSCS, led by the Prime Minister and with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as its secretary, will provide strategic direction and coordination for cybersecurity. A notification released on Friday night outlined the roles of different ministries in handling various aspects of cybersecurity.
The IT department will be in charge of cybersecurity, the telecom department will handle telecom network security, and the home ministry will deal with cybercrime. This decision was made after discussions within the government and learning from the experiences of other countries. Assigning clear responsibilities to different agencies has been found to reduce confusion and avoid duplication of efforts in the fight against cyberattacks.
A source familiar with the reasoning behind the change stated, “With the new distribution of business rules, handling various aspects will be clearer, and strategies will be better coordinated.”
The telecom department will now handle “matters relating to telecom networks” in addition to its previous responsibilities.
Nscs leads India’s cybersecurity efforts
The electronics and IT department has been given the responsibility of “cybersecurity as assigned in the IT Act” and supporting other ministries on cybersecurity.
The home ministry will also handle “matters relating to cybercrime.”
While the NSCS taking the lead is a positive step towards improving national cybersecurity, it is important to recognize that addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach. Significant investments in robust cybersecurity infrastructure and technology are necessary to adequately protect systems from evolving threats. Developing a skilled workforce of cybersecurity professionals is also crucial for effective incident response and management.
International cooperation is essential, as collaborating with other countries can help combat transnational cyber threats. Increasing public awareness about cybersecurity best practices is necessary to empower individuals and organizations to take measures to protect themselves, creating a more secure digital environment for everyone. The NSCS assuming responsibility for cybersecurity monitoring in India is a welcome development that has the potential to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity landscape.
