Keeping up with the rapidly progressing technology, India also needs to ensure that the security isn’t neglected. As much as the physical security of the citizens is essential, cyber security is important as well. With various operations in a variety of industries being digitized and online, cyber security is mandatory rather than accessory.

·       Understanding Cyber Security

Cyber security is a way of protecting and defending online systems. This includes the security of computers, mobile phones, servers, networks and other kinds of electronic systems. Other terms tossed for cyber security are IT Security or Electronic Information Security.

There are different kinds of cyber security which are classified based on the medium that is to be secured. Some of the types include application security, network security, cloud security, Internet of Things (IoT) security, critical infrastructure security and a few others. These have also been developed around different kinds of cyberattacks that take place.

• Cyber Security in India

In India, cyber security is being taken care of by the national security. Privacy of the citizens and the information that is available on the cyberspace is protected under this system. Apart from that, strong walls against the cyber infiltrators in order to minimise the respective damage caused.

• What calls for a developed Cyber Security in India?

Given that the cyber crime has increase by about 500% in the last year in India, is a reason enough to call for a stronger cyber wall. There are, however, a few major reasons as to why cyber security is this important. These reasons are elaborated as follows.

a)    Online Transactions

Online transactions/payments are a part of our daily lives today. There still are some who are paranoid about carrying out this process but their fears are justified. Reading about bank accounts getting empty in the blink of an eye is what justifies such fears. Which is why, cyber security in this section is more than essential. This can be done by incorporating various additional security procedures while carrying out an online transaction.

b)   Data Breach

The confidential data stored by businesses is where their existence lies. This data may contain information and contracts with their clients and other kind of information on which their business stands. There have been cyberattacks on various Indian firms where this data was breached and ransom was demanded.

c)    Remote Office Operations

Ever since the lockdown, several businesses and companies have adapted to remote work. With this, maximum operations are being carried out online. This calls for a better security in terms of online transfer of information and other kinds of data. Besides there is personal information of the employees that is saved and shared online while working remotely, misplacement of such kind of information can as well be risky.

d)   Global Cyber Threat

Banning of the Chinese apps is one thing but there still are other kinds of global cyber threats that can sabotage the security of the civilians as well as diplomats. International brands of apps and other kind of software that we use sometimes have hidden policies through which they can trick you to give up delicate information. A deep rooted and strong cyber security system is a need to tackle such scenarios.

With the serious involvement of the government in the cyber security sector, career opportunities in this sector are growing at a promising rate. A variety of courses, apart from engineering, are also being introduced in cyber security. This renders to the possibility of bringing the cybercrime rate in control.