India's Cybersecurity Under Threat: NSCS Steps Up

The highest authority on all cybersecurity matters, both internal and external, is the NSCS. PM Narendra Modi oversees the NSCS, which NSA Ajit Doval heads as its secretary. The top authority in India for all matters about internal and external security is the NSCS. The National Security Council Secretariat has four verticals—Strategic Planning, Internal Affairs, Intelligence and Technology, and a Military vertical—and is the highest level of India's three-tiered national security administration system. The government recently appointed the Additional National Security Advisor (NSA) to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is now the government's go-to organisation for handling the escalating cyber security threats. In addition to supporting the National Security Adviser, who serves as the PM and the council's primary national security advisor, the PM-led NSCS has been tasked with providing overall coordination and strategic direction for cyber security. In a survey released on 22 October, the online security company "Symantec Corp." listed India as one of the top five nations impacted by cybercrime.

Is India's Cybersecurity Under Threat?

India had 18 million cyberattacks and almost 200,000 daily threats in the first quarter of 2022. This emphasised the need for strong cybersecurity procedures. These hacking incidents have had a substantial financial impact on India. The average data breach cost is ₹17.5 crores, or around $2.2 million. Ransomware attacks, which target the healthcare industry, scammers, cloud security issues, and Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities, are some of India's main cyber threats. Other challenges to India's cybersecurity include the rise of deepfake videos, bitcoin theft, and flaws in the software supply chain. To increase India's security against cyber threats, the NSCS has been charged with developing strategies to handle these risks, collaborating closely with appropriate ministries.

What is the role of NSCS in India's Cybersecurity?

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is India's highest authority on all internal and external security issues. It includes the important area of cybersecurity in India. The NSCS is essential to developing India's cybersecurity policy since it encourages cooperation amongst various government departments. To ensure an integrated strategy, the NSCS works closely with the ministries of home affairs, IT, and telecom, each assigned specific responsibilities for enhancing the nation's cyber security. While the Ministry of IT protects digital infrastructure, the Ministry of Telecom focuses on maintaining communications infrastructure. It is also responsible for promoting safe practices across the digital economy. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs manages cyber threats that may compromise national security and internal security procedures. The combined effort aims to strengthen India's cybersecurity and guarantee that emerging threats are effectively stopped, which aligns with the NSCS's strategic goal.

The National Security Council (NSC), the highest advisory body on all internal and external security issues, has a secretariat, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), founded in the late 1990s. The National Security Advisor (NSA), who also acts as the NSC Secretary, leads the NSCS and provides strategic direction and a long-term outlook to guarantee that the several national security ministries are equipped to handle possible threats. Even though the Additional NSA (ANSA) job has been there, it was recently filled. Its appointment is expected to improve and expedite the NSCS's operations. Three Deputy NSAs make up the NSCS, and their varied backgrounds in the Indian Foreign Service and Indian Police Service. The armed forces help to provide a well-rounded viewpoint on security issues. To protect India's maritime interests, it also consists of a National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC), who coordinates with coastal states, the Coast Guard, and other naval security organisations; and a Military Adviser, who works closely with the Ministry of Defence and supervises the integration of new technologies. As a result, the NSA is a Cabinet Minister, and both the NSA and NSCS can create Cabinet notes, access pertinent Cabinet documents, and participate in inter-ministerial discussions.

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