Safeguarding India's critical national infrastructure from cyber threats
India's critical national infrastructure faces increasing vulnerability due to digital transformation, IoT, and AI, which, while enhancing efficiency, also expand the risk of remote disruptions and cyberattacks. The article highlights the 'IT, OT, and IoT' triad, where a compromised IoT layer can manipulate physical processes. It emphasizes the need for robust critical infrastructure security beyond conventional cybersecurity, particularly focusing on trusted devices and secure supply chains. The author calls for stricter policy enforcement, rigorous certification, preference for indigenous technologies, and continuous vigilance across government and industry to protect national security and economic stability. The question is not whether to adopt connected technologies, but how to deploy them securely.
Key Points
- Digital transformation and IoT increase the vulnerability of India's critical national infrastructure to cyber threats.
- The IT, OT, and IoT triad creates new risks, as compromised IoT can manipulate physical processes.
- Robust critical infrastructure security must extend beyond traditional cybersecurity to include trusted devices and secure supply chains.
- There is a critical need for stricter policy enforcement, rigorous certification, and preference for indigenous technologies.
- Continuous vigilance is essential to protect national security and economic stability in the face of evolving cyber risks.
Exam Facts
- Critical infrastructure includes power plants, refineries, transport networks, and public utility systems.
- CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) is a key agency for cybersecurity.
- SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system) is used for local process control.
- STQC (Standardization Testing and Quality Certification) tests devices for unintended control or data-sharing functions.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.