The defence minister noted that cyber-space had emerged as an important medium for information sharing, but at the same time the existing technology was susceptible to misuse by anti-social and anti-national elements.
In the wake of reports of Chinese hackers stealing vital data from Indian defence and diplomatic computer networks, defence minister AK Antony today asked the armed forces to coordinate closely with other cyber security agencies to prepare a crisis management action plan against cyber terrorism.
The minister noted that cyber-space had emerged as an important medium for information sharing, but at the same time the existing technology was susceptible to misuse by anti-social and anti-national elements.
"Of late, extraordinary and unprecedented cyber crimes have taken place across the globe, exposing gap holes in cyber security systems," Antony told the armed forces Unified Commanders' Conference in New Delhi.
"Although defence services at all levels have taken steps to counter cyber threat through stringent implementation of cyber security policy, there is still a requirement to ensure that all loopholes are suitably plugged. A few recent cases are reminders of our own vulnerabilities," he said.
Close interaction with national agencies like Computer and Emergency Response Team (CERT), NTRO, home and IT ministries to prepare a crisis management action plan for countering cyber attacks and cyber terrorism is essential, he said inaugurating the conference.
Minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju, Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal PV
Naik, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, Army Chief General VK Singh, Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Chief of Integrated Staff Committee Air Marshal SC Mukul were also present on the occasion.
Expressing happiness over the progress made to improve jointness among armed forces in various spheres, Antony said increasing involvement of Integrated Defence Service headquarters in defence issues, the functioning of Andaman and
Nicobar Command and the progress of Strategic Forces Command were a few examples of the success of the inter-operability concept.
He said the future of optimal military power lay in joint operations.
"Towards this end, the first-ever Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan for 2012?"27 is nearing completion under the aegis of IDS headquarters. Once finalised, it would be yet another milestone in our progress towards jointness," he said.
Referring to the use of large-scale energy resources in the armed forces and availability of alternative sources of energy, Antony called upon the top brass to bring about strict energy conservation discipline.
Regarding the armed forces modernisation, Antony assured the commanders that there would never be a paucity of funds. However, he asked them to control the revenue expenditure by adopting various mechanisms such as increased use of technology, integration of the three services, adopting joint training and procedures, and uniform inventories.
The defence minister said there also existed considerable scope for improving the quality and efficacy of defence expenditure through increased private sector engagement, import substitution and indigenisation, improvement in procedures and practices and better project management within the parameters of the government's policies.
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