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Indian Army has developed a simple and secure messaging application named the “Secure Application for Internet (SAI).

This initiative by the Indian Army can be seen as a part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

About SAI

• Secure Application for the Internet (SAI) will support an end-to-end secure voice, text and video calling services for Android platforms over the internet.
• The model of SAI is similar to commercially available messaging applications like WhatsApp, Telegram, SAMVAD and GIMS and utilises end-to-end encryption messaging protocol.
• SAI scores over on security features with local in-house servers and coding which can be tweaked as per requirements.
• The application has been vetted by CERT-in empanelled auditor and Army Cyber Group.

CERT-In

• CERT-In is a statutory organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology established in 2004.
• It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats and strengthens security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.
• CERT-In has been designated under Section 70B of Information Technology (Amendment) Act 2008 to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security:
  • Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents
  • Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
  • Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
  • Coordination of cyber incident response activities
  • Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
  • Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.

References:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1668346
2. https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/indian-army-launches-secure-messaging-app-sai-for-its-jawans-similar-to-whatsapp-11604042284753.html