Editorial: Securing India’s cyberspace

19 Oct 2022 Editorial: Securing India’s cyberspace

Source: The Indian Express

News: Indian Army has collaborated with industry and academia for  development of  cryptographic techniques for secure communications and cryptography applications.

Risks faced by India’s cyberspace:

• Chinese quantum advances: India’s digital infrastructure is facing a barrage of quantum cyberattacks from Chinese state-sponsored hackers.Indian cyberspace is facing additional  vulnerability due to  dependence on Chinese hardware.
• Vulnerability of existing or traditional digital infrastructure models: Current quantum cyber attacks can breach any hardened target protocols due to inefficiencies of RSA protocols.
• Gap between India and advanced nations in quantum computing  accentuated the cross border cyber risks.Example: China hosts two of the world’s fastest quantum computers and the U.S.A has allocated $1.2 billion for defence-related quantum technology research.
• Inadequacy capability to withstand quantum cyberattacks: As India does not have potential to develop advanced systems.

Researches and Investments for securing India’s cyberspace:

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT-Delhi team demonstrated Quantum key distribution(QKD) link between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal. 
• Quantum technology is now “mission of national importance”. 
• National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications launched in the Union Budget 2020-21 with a budget outlay of Rs 8,000 crore.

Way forward:

• Deployment of “quantum-resistant” systems through upgradation of current encryption standards.
• Investments in Hack proofing cyber or quantum systems.
• Transition to quantum-resistant algorithms by India either through  development of new algorithms for their cypher suite or through procurement of Suite B Cryptography Quantum-Resistant Suite as its official encryption mechanism.
• Technical steps to handle quantum computer attacks by emulating a series of encryption tools developed by the US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
• National initiatives to develop quantum-resistant systems through open-source projects related to post-quantum cryptography.
• India should enthusiastically participate in the Open Quantum Safe project. 
• Implementation and development of quantum-resistant communications capabilities in critical strategic sectors. 
• Priority should be given to secure sensitive military communications or to protect key intelligence from potential quantum cyberattacks.
• Protection of cyberspace from cross-border quantum cyber offensive by establishing nationwide communication networks integrated with quantum cryptographic systems.
• Diplomatic partnerships with “techno-democracies” to pool resources for  mitigating emerging quantum cyber threats.

Conclusion: Focus on post-quantum cybersecurity

• As applications of quantum physics in strategic domains are becoming reality. India needs a holistic approach to tackle increasing cybersecurity challenges or risks.

Article: Securing India’s cyberspace( Arjun Gargeyas;Sameer Patil)

Article Link:

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/securing-indias-cyberspace-must-take-steps-to-tackle-newest-threat-8212744/

Yojna IAS Daily current affairs eng med 19th Oct

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