Space and Cyber Security of India

Space and Cyber Security of India

Main Examination: General Studies Question Paper-3

(Cyber Security, Cyber Crime, Challenges)

September 12, 2023

Foreword:

  • The world is becoming increasingly digital. Every type of work, exchange of data and money is done through mobile, computer and internet. Every day news related to online fraud, hacking, virus attack, data theft etc. is read, heard and seen on social media.

Matters related to Cyber Attack:

  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau, India has recorded a total of 52,974 cases of cyber crime in 2022, of which more than 60 percent are fraud, 8.6 percent are sexual exploitation and 5.4 percent are extortion.
  • Statistics show that in the last 3 years, 47 percent consumers have become victims of fraud, 45 percent cyber crime and 34 percent KYC related fraud.
  • According to a survey, after COVID, more than 50 percent of the companies had become victims of financial fraud in new ways.
  • Despite the presence of police, e-wallet companies, mobile companies, banks, IT cells etc., the victim of sabar fraud keeps making rounds of banks, customer care, cyber crime, police etc.

Why security is needed:

  • India's integration with the Pancha battle area from a national security strategy point of view has been stalled for a long time.

  • Many countries of the world including India are facing insecurity regarding cyber security in the areas of traditional warfare – land, air, sea and space.

  • Any intrusion or sudden attack on space systems can paralyze them temporarily or permanently.
  • Food, water, communications, dams, defense, energy, financial, health care, nuclear, transportation and other critical infrastructure depend on these systems.
  • The possibility of damage to these structures in the event of infiltration or attack cannot be ruled out. Attackers have now started to easily ‘bypass’ the ‘air-gapped system’ i.e. intrude into it.
  • ‘Air-gapped system’ means a security system in which a security system is made to protect a computer or network from external network/attack.
  • It may now be easier to infiltrate software/hardware or space systems connected to supply chains.

Efforts of Government of India for Space and Cyber Security:

  • The government has taken important steps to address critical infrastructure sectors in India, including nuclear plants and space agencies.
  • There are only four Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in the world: America's GPS (Global Positioning System), Russia's GLONASS, China's BEIDOU i.e. BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and Europe's Galileo Navigation System.
  • Currently, India is also developing NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) under Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System with a view to streamline time synchronization, reduce its dependence on foreign GNSS and enhance national security. .
  • It is capable of providing true position in mere nanoseconds with absolute accuracy of less than 10 meters over the Indian landmass and less than 20 meters over the Indian Ocean.
  • Russia, the United States (US), China, Iran, North Korea and Israel have strengthened their military space cybersecurity capabilities.
  • Japan, France, South Korea and England have shown speed in strengthening cyber and space security.
  • The strategic support forces of China's People's Liberation Army have centralized their space, cyber, electronic and psychological warfare capabilities.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the formation of Defense Cyber Agency (DCA) and Defense Space Agency i.e. Defense Space Agency (DSA) on 28 September 2018.
  • DCA is fully functional. On the other hand, the work of integration of DSA with land, air, sea and cyber theater i.e. battlefield is in progress.
  • The task of integrating the national security strategy with the battlefield has been pending for a long time.
  • Due to this integration, unified war theory will become clear.
  • This integrated warfare doctrine will lead to the creation of a purple capability (which combines offense (red) and defense (blue)) in India.
  • National Cyber Security Strategy
  • Both the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and the National Cyber Security Coordinator are working together to integrate the Indian cyber security architecture and policies.
  • To move forward in this direction, a National Draft Cyber Security Strategy has also been prepared, which is under consideration with the Prime Minister's Office, but it appears to lack elements related to space.
  • Interestingly, the Data Security Council of India had prepared a draft National Cyber Security Strategy in 2020.
  • It mentioned the targeting of India's critical infrastructure sectors, including nuclear plants and space agencies, but nothing was said about space cyber security.
  • It is said that it is necessary to change this situation. As an integral part of the national cyber security strategy, it has become necessary to integrate the five battle domains L-A-S-S-CY with critical national infrastructure. Along with security and military functions, communication systems also depend on critical space infrastructure.

Maya Software

  • In view of the increasing cyber attacks on the security establishments of the country, the Ministry of Defense in a recent order has recommended the use of indigenously developed 'MAYA Software' by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on 'Hardened Linux Operating System' for all its personnel. Internet system has been implemented through this medium. Which will provide complete security cover to its computers from cyber attacks.
  • This computer operating system is used extensively by security sector agencies, sensitive companies, patent and scientific formula offices not only in India but all over the world.
  • This is such a maze that no hacker will be able to penetrate during a cyber attack.

Challenges:

  • Those with the potential to carry out cyber attacks include, in addition to covert government organizations, terrorist organizations, anarchic or subversive elements, political criminals, computer break-ins (hackers), commercial competitors, cunning or dishonest insiders within an organization, disgruntled employees, Trusted but careless business partners or mischievous astronauts may be involved.
  • Most of them have the ability to carry out asymmetric attacks and all of them remain immune to the natural dynamics of 'credible deterrence'.
  • The Aerospace Corporation's SPARTA (Space Attack Research and Tactical Analysis), which is an extension of MITRE ATT&CK adversary tactics and techniques.
  • Presently in the world, sectors like oil and gas, telecommunication, power, disaster management, manufacturing, logistics, delivery services, public transport, e-commerce, insurance, law enforcement, defense sector and their supply chain, global situation, Depend on navigation.
  • India's cyber security capabilities have lagged behind the scale and pace of its digitalisation. The complexity of threats also has its role in this. This challenges our ability to take joint action, formulate strategies and implement them effectively.
  • Security of personal data: It is important to ensure the security of personal and business information from cyber attacks.
  • Illegal use of personal data: Illegal use of personal information such as attempts to misuse users' IDs and passwords.
  • Phishing: An attempt to deceive users by using fraud, email, social media, or other fraudulent means.

Way Forward:

  • India needs to focus on developing space capabilities.
  • The rival has made rapid progress in the space sector, to counter which India will have to develop space capabilities.
  • It is imperative that India creates its own cyber-security, space-based and high-speed resilient communications.
  • To deal with the challenges related to cyber security, cyber security experts need to be vigilant in updating innovative technologies, making users aware and encouraging safe technical practices.
  • Government, industry and individual users need to consider cyber security as a priority and adopt appropriate security measures.

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Mains Exam Question

Discuss the measures to address the major challenges related to space and cyber security in India.