BENGALURU: India needs an effective National Plan for Cyber Security and the personnel should be trained to combat cyber terror at every stage, said Mr Ram Dor, cyber expert and a former soldier of Israeli forces.
In an exclusive chat with Deccan Chronicle, he said that the Cyber Security Plan should encompass three layers to prevent and counter the cyber attack. The first layer should involve strategising Indian cyberspace, second, establishing a bureau to lead the team and third, a cyber authority with Computers Emergency and Response Team (CERT).
The cyberspace is like a war field where attackers and defenders constantly fight each other to protect their interests, he said. “The nature of war has changed from World Wars, Cold War, terrorism to cyber crimes. The globe is getting more digital with cellular, e-commerce and e-wallet. As the new technology comes so does the new threats,” he warned.
The next step in cyber development is to skillfully utilise the IT knowledge and technology where India is rich and strong enough. The Academy should be strengthened and emphasis should be given on research to get better cyber security.
Exposure at the academic level for students and absorbing them into the government help get a better cyber defence mechanism, he said.
Asked about the sectors that are under constant threat by the attackers, he said digital space has no boundary or limits for attackers. They can attack everywhere which affects government and civilians. However, the most targeted or vulnerable fields are financial institutions as the attackers benefit financially too.
At national level, it would be the attack on energy grid, water plants, transportation network and power plants to cripple the normal life, he said.
The countries that are under constant threat should have international relationship to watch these cyber terrorists and share the information on regular attackers, he said.
“Israel has good reputation in countering cyber intelligence and cyber threat. We have a very good eco-system, which has evolved by itself. Military, defence forces, education and academy, the high-tech industry and the government are working together. There is a good sense of success when all come together sharing data,” he said.
Asked about Israel’s support to India in cyber security, he said that his company, RD eye, Integrated Security Solution and Israel government have two things to share. The technical knowhow and rich experience.
“Already policy and procedure in countering cyber threats have been designed and defined. On the other hand, there is a lot of technology, both intelligence and cyber protection, to offer,” he said.
Replying on the resilience of India in countering cyber threats, he said that he is not quite sure about it and added that India has better technical skills to counter threats.
Empowered hackers
Hackers or attackers are reaching tools and sharing information. Criminals and hackers share and buy tools from dark net. They can even buy a zombie computer and use it for attacks. Some of the exploits are database, credit card details, drugs and pornography. Sometimes, the activists who are not happy with many things between two nations spark off attacks to register their protest.
