India Plans US-Like Information Sharing To Alert Cyber Attacks
With terrorists and unfriendly countries using the world wide web to mount attacks, India is planning to set up a US-like information sharing network that would send out alerts of possible threats to cyber security.
Called Information Sharing & Analysis Centre (ISAC), would act like a watchdog against possible attacks on Indian cyber space. This was discussed at a high level meeting chaired by the Deputy National Security Advisor.
The idea was floated by the Data Security Council of India, an industry body set up by Nasscom. Globally, anti-social elements have been attacking telecom, banking and power networks through spyware or virus that cripples the infrastructure in the entire country.
For example, on Thursday South Korea traced a cyber attack that paralysed more than 30,000 computers to China.
To prevent such attacks on Indian cyber space, the Government is considering setting up the ISAC for key sectors including telecom, power and financial services.
Some of the existing entities such as the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, Indian Smart Grid Forum and the proposed Telecom Security Council of India may be roped in to support the functions of the ISAC.
“The very important aspects of running an ISAC are to establish the credibility of the information shared, maintain the confidentiality of information shared and at the same time provide mechanisms to organisations to submit information anonymously,” stated a report of a joint working group set up to propose measures to improve cyber security.