India gets set for unified cyber cell

The Centre plans to revive a plan to set up a common cyber command that will bring together the Army, Navy and Air Force to deal with cyber threats.

Currently, each service has its own mechanism and coordination between them is a challenge.

"The proposed command will work closely with civilian agencies. Securing communications and information from an external security point of view is needed," said an official. Officials say the plan is part of a comprehensive policy to counter cyber espionage. According to government figures, defacing of websites and cyber security breaches have been on the rise for some time now.

Many other countries already have a unified cyber command. The US cyber command cell, for instance, is headed by a four-star officer, who works in synchronisation with other security agencies. This became operational in 2010.

In India, this is not the first time that the idea is being mooted. The blueprint for such a body had been there since 2010. On Friday, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said that the setting up of a tri-services cyber agency is in the pipeline and would be acted upon soon.

To set up an umbrella cyber cell, changes have to be made in legislation, sources said. They feel that the National Cyber Security Policy, formulated in 2013, needs to be revised in view of the changing dynamics of cyber threats and warfare.

While the Centre is keen on the cell, officials who have been part of cyber security initiatives are sceptical.

"An overarching body has been in the pipeline for many years, but not much has happened. We can only hope that a unified cyber command sees the light of the day without further delay," said a former army officer, who did not wish to be named.

Several officials have undergone courses on cyber warfare, but there is no clarity whether they will be part of the proposed umbrella cell, he said.

Experts say an umbrella body should also be able to carry out offensive operations and should not restrict itself to defensive operations like now. Deputy National Security Advisor Arvind Gupta, who spoke at the recent Asian Cyber Security Conference, had underlined the need for better cyber security in his speech.

"With nearly 400 million internet users, India cannot remain oblivious to cyber threats. The country's future progress and growth is linked with the expansion of digital networks, overcoming digital divides, and ensuring that robust cyber security policies are adopted right from the beginning," he said.

The government had also come up with a plan to set up a 24x7 internet monitoring system under the aegis of the Union home ministry, but there has been little progress.