QUES . Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. UPSC 2017 MAINS GS PAPER III
HINTS:
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can cause significant damage to businesses, organisations, and even governments. Cyber attacks can take many forms, including phishing scams, malware, ransomware, and denial-of-service attacks. The potential consequences of a successful cyber attack can include financial losses, reputational damage, and loss of sensitive information.
Challenges associated with cyber threats
Increased use of mobile technology and the internet by people.
Proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) and lack of proper security infrastructure in some devices.
Cyberspace has inherent vulnerabilities that cannot be removed.
Internet technology makes it relatively easy to misdirect attribution to other parties.
It is generally seen that attack technology outpaces defence technology.
Lack of awareness on Cyber security.
Lack of Cyber security specialists.
Increased use of cyberspace by terrorists.
Security framework to prevent cyber attacks
To prevent cyber attacks, organizations should implement a comprehensive security framework that includes the following key elements:
Risk Assessment: Identify and assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities of the organization’s IT systems, networks, and data.
Access Control: Implement measures to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data and systems.
Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access.
Network Security: Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems to protect the organization’s network against unauthorized access and malicious activity.
Incident Response: Develop and implement a plan for responding to cyber attacks, including procedures for containment, recovery, and communication.
Employee Training: Train employees on best practices for information security, including how to recognize and report potential security threats.
Regular Testing: Regularly test and evaluate the organization’s security measures to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that they are effective.
In addition to these elements, organizations should also stay up-to-date with the latest security threats and trends and continually update their security framework to address new threats.
Steps taken by Government:
National Cyber Security Policy 2013: It has been framed to create a secure cyber ecosystem, ensure compliance with global security systems and strengthen the regulatory framework.
National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in): It functions as the nodal agency for coordination of all cyber security efforts, emergency responses, and crisis management.
Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: It was launched in 2018 with an aim to spread awareness about cybercrime and building capacity for safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across all government departments.
National Cyber security Coordination Centre (NCCC): In 2017, the NCCC was developed. Its mandate is to scan internet traffic and communication metadata (which are little snippets of information hidden inside each communication) coming into the country to detect real-time cyber threats.
Cyber Swachhta Kendra: In 2017, this platform was introduced for internet users to clean their computers and devices by wiping out viruses and malware.
Information Security Education and Awareness Project (ISEA): It raises awareness and provides research, education and training in the field of Information Security.
It’s important to note that cyber attacks can never be completely prevented, but a strong security framework can significantly reduce the risk and mitigate the potential damage. By taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can protect themselves from the potential consequences of a successful cyber attack.
