Context

• • Recently, India has been ranked 10th in Global Cyber Security Index (GCI) 2020 released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations (UN) agency for information and communication technologies (ICT).
  • The US topped the chart, followed by the UK and Saudi Arabia tied on the second position, while Estonia was ranked third in the index.

• GCI assessment is done on the basis of performance on five parameters of cybersecurity including 

1. Legal measures, 
2. Technical measures, 
3. Organisational measures, 
4. Capacity development, and 
5. Cooperation.

A Glance at increasing pace of Cyber attacks in India

• In today’s era, despite several measures taken, India has a high rate of cyber attacks which is increasing day by day as India is one of the largest internet and smartphone economies with 624 million internet users across the country.
• The primary reason for such an increasing number of cyber attacks is the digitization of Society.
• As of now, Cyberspace is a 133 billion dollar economy which may reach 403 billion dollars by 2027.
• By 2025, Cyber crime may account for 10.5 trillion dollars of revenue loss as number of cyber attacks is increasing by 10-15% every year.
• In 2020, India has recorded 7 lakh cyber security incidents which is more than the combined data of the last 4 years.
• Around 71% of cyber attacks are financial related attacks which is a primary concern for the country.

Challenges faced in tackling Cyber crime 

• • Lack of awareness about the evolving technologies among the masses.
  • Absence of data privacy law for protecting the data of Government, Business and Individuals who are key drivers for the country’s development.
  • Use of offensive technologies and encrypted apps by terrorists to spread fake news, hack the personal data etc.

• Tracing fake propaganda accounts.

• Issue of Capability of Testing products.

Way Forward

• The foremost thing which needs to be done is setting up critical infrastructure to ensure open, secure, free, accessible & stable cyberspace.
• Framing policies by identifying the vulnerable points of contacts in accordance with the National Cyber strategy 2020.
• Ensuring integrity and security of products involved in Cyber services.
• Building awareness among users as well as developers with regard to configuration of products.
• Setting up of an apex body for coordinating on various cyber space issues among the government and various agencies is the need of the hour.

Conclusion

• Although India’s rank is among the top 10 countries, still there is a need for global commitment to ensure openness in the cyber space in order to tackle the emerging global issue of cyber crime.

Reference:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M15WPSw_-V8