Critical Infrastructure Protection

The world is changing, and digital and physical systems are converging. Systems that once stood alone managing critical infrastructure operations are connecting to the internet and sharing sensitive data.

This new world structure brings with it new security problems. Critical infrastructure organizations must use a robust framework that can anticipate and mitigate disaster across their entire critical infrastructure environment.

India’s journey towards becoming a $5 trillion economy would remain incomplete without the use of digital technologies and they would need protection to build trust around them. Without adequate cyber security, the Indian economy would not be able to achieve its intended goals.

Rapid digitization and increased mobility offer many advantages while expanding the threat and vulnerability landscape. India has witnessed an increase in the number and frequency of recent data breaches, proving that companies across all sectors are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

It is the need of the hour to make cyber security a national priority, since the rapid digitalisation of businesses, administrative functions of the government, etc., have resulted in frequent cyberattacks on India’s cyber assets. India needs to increase its investments on strengthening its cyber security framework.

It is also important to recognize the risks that could threaten the integrity of critical infrastructure systems. When we think about system or network security, we almost always immediately think of hacker or terrorist threats, but there are other threats that should also be taken into account, such as equipment failure, human error and natural causes (the weather, for example).

Developed economies are allocating separate funds for cyber security purposes and India should consider the same to ensure that 1% of its GDP is spent on cyber security to protect government systems, business ecosystems and the socioeconomic fabric of the country.

Critical Infrastructure Protection is to protect a region's vital infrastructures such as food and agriculture or transportation. Critical Infrastructure Protection helps organizations to prepare for and respond to serious incidents involving critical infrastructure environments and to protect against an ever-growing number of threats.

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Editor-in-chief- VARINDIA