The INFOTECH FORUM Debated - Can the CSR fund be used for Skill Development & Training?

S Mohini Ratna
Editor, VARINDIA

Innovation in cyberspace has multiplied to an extent where it is touching almost every facet of individuals, businesses and government. Today, every vertical in every sector is leveraging the capabilities of digital technologies for delivering services, improving performance and for many other inherent benefits of cyber technologies. India, through its initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India etc. is also stimulating the pace of development and adoption of new technologies. The day-long annual Cyber Security Conclave & Infotech Forum discussed on the possibilities on how to secure India from the growing Cyber-attacks.

Technology is helping to fuel innovation and generate new value for businesses in India through digital disruption/innovation. The number of people using digital devices to access information, knowledge, purchase goods or services, talk to one another and access client or company data is increasing rapidly and a new coined word that is “Digital Transformation” has emerged.

Considering the criticality of services being delivered and the sensitivity of the data being involved, the severity & scope of the impact in case of any breach or attack in cyberspace could be immense. Strengthening the cyber security posture of the nation as a whole is certainly the need of the hour. This includes building capabilities and capacities of individuals, industry and government. With the growing cyber attacks, virtually every sizable enterprise and government entity knows the critical importance of taking pains to protect their data. There is widespread circulation of cyber security myths and partly because of the enormous volume and ever-changing nature of cyber-attacks, it is making it impossible to win all the battles all the time.

India needs a strong Data-protection law, much stronger than GDPR. Secondly, there has to be a strong mandate on India’s data to be inside the boundary line of the country. The reason being technology companies, social media, cloud provider and e-commerce companies take our data for free of cost. These services are free with conditions difficult to comprehend. Without a strong data privacy policy, we can’t control the data flow out of the country.

All of the above ramifications give a high surge of technical and non-technical professionals to cater to the growing needs of cyber security practitioners. India needs to form a group of dedicated cyber security professionals, having a deep insight into the field of cyber-crime, cyber forensics, cyber law and cyber security domain. These professionals shall incorporate the basic and advanced program to the participants.

The growth story of digital India is still unsung and with the advent of quality education in cyberspace, India shall rule the jobs in the cyberspace. This shall boost the country’s overall economy as well as employment generation, which shall have a positive bearing on the country’s GDP.

It is only possible if there is a strong mandate and support from the Government and PSUs in the country. The Government has to consider a special budget or can also advise to use from the existing CSR budget for skill development and training for cyber security.

Looking forward to a strong mandate from the Government for this cause!

India is the only nation in the world to have more than seventy percent of its population below the age of thirty-five. This shows an exciting option of more individuals to enter into this space. The program shall be tailor made to suit the requirements of the various verticals and shall immensely help the younger generation to be suitably placed. Moreover, the training program shall be localized and can be made in various vernacular languages to reach every taluka and villages in the country.

Candidates from rural places shall get an equal opportunity to participate in this program and get placed. The mission of our Government “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” shall be quantified through this initiative.