MHA tightens guidelines amid cyber threats

The increased threats of cyber attacks targeting confidential government information has prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to prepare guidelines on securing government data.

The National Information Security Policy and Guidelines, prepared by MHA, have been sent to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), which is an apex body on security policies headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as its secretary.

The proposed policy looks at strengthening the mechanism to safeguard critical data by roping in experts and the use of better technology.

The guidelines deal with combating cyber attacks affecting organisations in sectors such as defence, energy, finance, space, telecommunications, transport, public essential services and utilities, law enforcement and security, which, if compromised, will lead to a national crisis. A national nodal agency to deal with cyber security and developing indigenous technology has been proposed.

According to a study, India is ranked the fifth most vulnerable country when it comes to cyber attacks but cases of data breach remain under-reported with the legal mechanism being limited to deal with such situations.

"Almost every developed country is indulging in cyber espionage. There is a need to enhance our system to secure critical information. The policy is being vetted by the NSA," said a senior government official.