India and U.K. Commit for Jointly Enhance Cyber Security Partnership

India and the United Kingdom have committed to a joint program of cooperation to increase cybersecurity. In May 2021, both the leaders had agreed to build on the Enhanced Cyber Security Partnership, which was announced by the two countries with a focus on cyber governance, deterrence, resilience and capacity building. Prime Minister Modi and UK counterpart PM Boris Jhonson reiterated a shared commitment to a partnership for vision 2030 for open, accessible and peaceful cyberspace that will bring a more secure Indo-Pacific on 22 April 2022.

India and the U.K. are concerned by the increased willingness of states and their proxies to undertake malicious cyber activities contrary to identified norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. India and the U.K. are working in close cooperation under the International Counter Ransomware Initiative. They will also work together to counter cybercrime by preventing, deterring, mitigating, investigating and prosecuting these crimes, ensuring speedy justice for the victims of cybercrime and taking into account the need for appropriate safeguards including data protection. Both countries have pledged to work in partnership to increase their mutual cyber resilience, taking a holistic and whole-of-society approach.

They will complete joint work to identify shared vulnerabilities, and promote effective public-private partnerships, with a view to ensuring decisions on systems design and deployment take into account public safety protections and increasing the awareness and ability of the public and infrastructure owners, to increase resilience against malicious cyber activity.

With the increasing complexities of Cyberspace, governments cannot meet the challenges of the digital age alone. Hence, it has been recognised by the state that the private sector can play an important role as developers and implementers of new technologies, and in relation to data management. India and the UK will work in collaboration with industry and multi-stakeholders to deliver shared responsibilities intended to improve online safety and protect users online.

With the onset of 5G and 6G technologies, both nations have put a special focus on ensuring the protection of user privacy and their cooperation with the relevant government entities. India and the UK will continue to collaborate with digital service providers, social media and telecommunications companies for the same, encouraging cooperation to embed safety in the services they offer. Both nations have committed to build open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful cyberspace, which will be in the welfare of all those associated with the cyber world. 

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, President & CEO, VARINDIA