Going Digital with Cybersecurity Framework

We have come a long way since the 19th century when the first computer was invented by various companies pitching in their respective components especially when Intel conceived the idea of a microprocessor. That made companies like IBM, HP, NEC, Toshiba create their personal computers and fill the market with a variety for man to choose.

Those initial years man was surprised to what length this PC could go to. It could not only store in immense data but also when searched for, it could bring up a particular file just by sitting stationary and not stressing those gray cells over where that particular file is shelved.

Life has taken a turn for the better, and man in urban areas has since then never looked back especially when it came to dealing with his personal work or in the corporate society.

Lately, the Government of India wants to empower every Indian by giving access to their citizen rights and services while providing information on reforms and making a platform for them to interact with the government. The above will enable making welfare quicker and accessible to all while eliminating paperwork. However, this will have to include the creation of digital infrastructure, and in order to deliver services digitally, will have to acquaint the citizens with digital literacy. The Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) will be the custodian of this project and help connect rural areas via broadband thus helping to make the Digital India project accessible country wide.

Many corporates are excited about this new venture, but the government has to overcome quite a few hurdles prior to declaring it a success.

The obstacles are coming in the form of phishing, worms, firewalls, Trojan horses, hackers, viruses, privacy protection, data guardianship, tighter cyber laws to keep e-governance and e-commerce transactions safe. Cyber security is numero uno since all data is online thus making sure the infrastructure is secure and well grounded. 

Some preliminary steps to be cautious of in order to make India walk the digital path.

Viruses have a malicious code. Officials should be trained not to open any email attachment or going to particular websites. 

Worms can also propagate via email, websites or network-based software. Although they can propagate without doing anything. Caution is the word!

 Trojan horse is a software that claims to one thing while it does something different behind the scenes. 

Spyware is a sneaky software that comes with the computer when screen savers, games or other applications are being downloaded. Spyware sends information to a third party, thus bring a threat to one's privacy. 

The above will have the Government of India play an important role in countering threats to their cyber network by having a 24*7 center to monitor and help secure the civilian system and cyberspace.  

However, some good news is in the making for cyber security.

 A Cyber security framework is in action by Intel where the company intends to focus on risk management instead of compliance. Their framework has the potential to transform cyber security on a global scale. 

Currently in the testing phase but Intel anticipates providing the highest level of structure for organizing basic cyber security activities into categories and subcategories. The five functions are Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Once the pilot project is a success, this cyber security framework from Intel will be a complete package if installed on the infrastructure by any corporation or government.

Thus giving an opportunity to the Government of India to go digital thanks to the Cyber security Framework from Intel. 

Mantra for today: Man is an intelligent soul to find ways to protect himself from a bully even though he is in the realm of electronic communication. 

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This post has been written for #DigitalIndia