National Cyber Security Policy
NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY POLICY
National Cyber Security Policy -2013
Preamble
1. Cyberspace is a complex environment consisting of interactions between people, software and services, supported by worldwide distribution of information and communication technology (ICT) devices and networks.
2. Owing to the numerous benefits brought about by technological advancements, the cyberspace today is a common pool used by citizens, businesses, critical information infrastructure, military and governments in a manner that makes it difficult to draw clear boundaries among these different groups. The cyberspace is expected to be more complex in the foreseeable future, with many fold increase in networks and devices connected to it.
3. Information Technology (IT) is one of the critical sectors that rides on and resides in cyberspace. It has emerged as one of the most significant growth catalysts for the Indian economy. In addition to fuelling India’s economy, this sector is also positively influencing the lives of its people through direct and indirect contribution to the various socio-economic parameters such as employment, standard of living and diversity among others. The sector has played a significant role in transforming India’s image to that of a global player in providing world-class technology solutions and IT business services. The government has been a key driver for increased adoption of IT-based products and IT
enabled services in Public services (Government to citizen services, citizen identification, public distribution systems), Healthcare (telemedicine, remote consultation, mobile clinics), Education (eLearning, virtual classrooms, etc) and Financial services (mobile banking / payment gateways), etc. Such initiatives have enabled increased IT adoption in the country through sectoral reforms and National programmes which have led to creation of large scale IT infrastructure with corporate /private participation.
4. In the light of the growth of IT sector in the country, ambitious plans for rapid social transformation & inclusive growth and India’s prominent role in the IT global market, providing right kind of focus for creating secure computing environment and adequate trust & confidence in electronic transactions, software, services, devices and networks, has become one of the compelling priorities for the country. Such a focus enables creation of a suitable cyber security eco-system in the country, in tune with globally networked environment.
5. Cyberspace is vulnerable to a wide variety of incidents, whether intentional or accidental, manmade or natural, and the data exchanged in the cyberspace can be exploited for nefarious purposes by both nation- states and non-state actors. Cyber attacks that target the infrastructure or underlying economic well-being of a nation state can effectively reduce available state resources and undermine confidence in their supporting structures. A cyber related incident of national significance may take any form; an organized cyber attack, an uncontrolled exploit such as computer virus or worms or any malicious software code, a national disaster with significant cyber
consequences or other related incidents capable of causing extensive damage to the information infrastructure or key assets. Large-scale cyber incidents may overwhelm the government, public and private sector resources and services by disrupting functioning of critical information systems. Complications from disruptions of such a magnitude may threaten lives, economy and national security. Rapid identification, information exchange, investigation and coordinated response and remediation can mitigate the damage caused by malicious cyberspace activity. Some of the examples of cyber threats to individuals, businesses and government are identity theft, phishing, social engineering, hactivism, cyber terrorism, compound threats targeting mobile devices and smart phone, compromised digital certificates, advanced persistent threats, denial of service, bot nets, supply chain attacks, data leakage, etc. The protection of information infrastructure and preservation of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information in cyberspace is the essence of a secure cyber space.
6. There are various ongoing activities and programs of the Government to address the cyber security challenges which have significantly contributed to the creation of a platform that is now capable of supporting and sustaining the efforts in securing the cyber space. Due to the dynamic nature of cyberspace, there is now a need for these actions to be unified under a National Cyber Security Policy, with an integrated vision and a set of sustained & coordinated strategies for implementation.
7. The cyber security policy is an evolving task and it caters to the whole spectrum of ICT users and providers including home users and small, medium and large enterprises and Government & nonGovernment entities. It serves as an umbrella framework for defining and guiding the actions related to security of cyberspace. It also enables the individual sectors and organizations in designing appropriate cyber security policies to suit their needs. The policy provides an overview of what it takes to effectively protect information, information systems & networks and also gives an insight into the Government’s approach and strategy for protection of cyber space in the country. It also
outlines some pointers to enable collaborative working of all key players in public & private to safeguard country’s information and information systems. This policy, therefore, aims to create a cyber security framework, which leads to specific actions and programmes to enhance the security posture of country’s cyber space.
I. Vision To build a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and
Government
II. Mission To protect information and information infrastructure in cyberspace, build capabilities to prevent and respond to cyber threats, reduce vulnerabilities and minimize damage from cyber incidents through a combination of institutional structures, people, processes, technology and cooperation.
III. Objectives
1) To create a secure cyber ecosystem in the country, generate adequate trust &
confidence in IT systems and transactions in cyberspace and thereby enhance adoption
of IT in all sectors of the economy.
2) To create an assurance framework for design of security policies and for promotion and enabling actions for compliance to global security standards and best practices by way of conformity assessment (product, process, technology & people).
3) To strengthen the Regulatory framework for ensuring a Secure Cyberspace ecosystem.
4) To enhance and create National and Sectoral level 24 x 7 mechanisms for obtaining
strategic information regarding threats to ICT infrastructure, creating scenarios for
response, resolution and crisis management through effective predictive, preventive,
protective, response and recovery actions.
5) To enhance the protection and resilience of Nation’s critical information infrastructure by operating a 24×7 National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and mandating security practices related to the design, acquisition, development, use and operation of information resources.
6) To develop suitable indigenous security technologies through frontier technology
research, solution oriented research, proof of concept, pilot development, transition,
diffusion and commercialisation leading to widespread deployment of secure ICT
products / processes in general and specifically for addressing National Security
requirements.
7) To improve visibility of the integrity of ICT products and services by establishing
infrastructure for testing & validation of security of such products.
8) To create a workforce of 500,000 professionals skilled in cyber security in the next 5
years through capacity building, skill development and training.
9) To provide fiscal benefits to businesses for adoption of standard security practices and
processes.
10) To enable protection of information while in process, handling, storage & transit so as to safeguard privacy of citizen’s data and for reducing economic losses due to cyber crime or data theft.
11) To enable effective prevention, investigation and prosecution of cyber crime and
enhancement of law enforcement capabilities through appropriate legislative intervention.
12) To create a culture of cyber security and privacy enabling responsible user behaviour & actions through an effective communication and promotion strategy.
13) To develop effective public private partnerships and collaborative engagements through technical and operational cooperation and contribution for enhancing the security of cyberspace.
14) To enhance global cooperation by promoting shared understanding and leveraging
relationships for furthering the cause of security of cyberspace.
IV. Strategies
A. Creating a secure cyber ecosystem
1) To designate a National nodal agency to coordinate all matters related to cyber
security in the country, with clearly defined roles & responsibilities.
2) To encourage all organizations, private and public to designate a member of senior
management, as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), responsible for cyber
security efforts and initiatives.
3) To encourage all organizations to develop information security policies duly
integrated with their business plans and implement such policies as per international
best practices. Such policies should include establishing standards and mechanisms
for secure information flow (while in process, handling, storage & transit), crisis
management plan, proactive security posture assessment and forensically enabled
information infrastructure.
4) To ensure that all organizations earmark a specific budget for implementing cyber
security initiatives and for meeting emergency response arising out of cyber incidents.
5) To provide fiscal schemes and incentives to encourage entities to install, strengthen
and upgrade information infrastructure with respect to cyber security.
6) To prevent occurrence and recurrence of cyber incidents by way of incentives for
technology development, cyber security compliance and proactive actions.
7) To establish a mechanism for sharing information and for identifying and responding
to cyber security incidents and for cooperation in restoration efforts.
8) To encourage entities to adopt guidelines for procurement of trustworthy ICT products
and provide for procurement of indigenously manufactured ICT products that have
security implications.
B. Creating an assurance framework
1) To promote adoption of global best practices in information security and compliance
and thereby enhance cyber security posture.
2) To create infrastructure for conformity assessment and certification of compliance to
cyber security best practices, standards and guidelines (Eg. ISO 27001 ISMS
certification, IS system audits, Penetration testing / Vulnerability assessment,
application security testing, web security testing).
3) To enable implementation of global security best practices in formal risk assessment
and risk management processes, business continuity management and cyber crisis
management plan by all entities within Government and in critical sectors, to reduce
the risk of disruption and improve the security posture.
4) To identify and classify information infrastructure facilities and assets at entity level
with respect to risk perception for undertaking commensurate security protection
measures.
5) To encourage secure application / software development processes based on global
best practices.
6) To create conformity assessment framework for periodic verification of compliance to
best practices, standards and guidelines on cyber security.
7) To encourage all entities to periodically test and evaluate the adequacy and
effectiveness of technical and operational security control measures implemented in
IT systems and in networks.
C. Encouraging Open Standards
1) To encourage use of open standards to facilitate interoperability and data exchange
among different products or services.
2) To promote a consortium of Government and private sector to enhance the
availability of tested and certified IT products based on open standards.
D. Strengthening the Regulatory framework
1) To develop a dynamic legal framework and its periodic review to address the cyber
security challenges arising out of technological developments in cyber space (such as
cloud computing, mobile computing, encrypted services and social media) and its
harmonization with international frameworks including those related to Internet
governance.
2) To mandate periodic audit and evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of
security of information infrastructure as may be appropriate, with respect to regulatory
framework.
3) To enable, educate and facilitate awareness of the regulatory framework.
E. Creating mechanisms for security threat early warning, vulnerability management and response to security threats
1) To create National level systems, processes, structures and mechanisms to generate
necessary situational scenario of existing and potential cyber security threats and
enable timely information sharing for proactive, preventive and protective actions by
individual entities.
2) To operate a 24×7 National Level Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
to function as a Nodal Agency for coordination of all efforts for cyber security
emergency response and crisis management. CERT-In will function as an umbrella
organization in enabling creation and operationalization of sectoral CERTs as well as
facilitating communication and coordination actions in dealing with cyber crisis
situations.
3) To operationalise 24×7 sectoral CERTs for all coordination and communication actions
within the respective sectors for effective incidence response & resolution and cyber
crisis management.
4) To implement Cyber Crisis Management Plan for dealing with cyber related incidents
impacting critical national processes or endangering public safety and security of the
Nation, by way of well coordinated, multi disciplinary approach at the National,
Sectoral as well as entity levels.
5) To conduct and facilitate regular cyber security drills & exercises at National, sectoral
and entity levels to enable assessment of the security posture and level of emergency
preparedness in resisting and dealing with cyber security incidents.
F. Securing E-Governance services
1) To mandate implementation of global security best practices, business continuity
management and cyber crisis management plan for all e-Governance initiatives in the
country, to reduce the risk of disruption and improve the security posture.
2) To encourage wider usage of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) within Government for
trusted communication and transactions.
3) To engage information security professionals / organisations to assist e-Governance
initiatives and ensure conformance to security best practices.
G. Protection and resilience of Critical Information Infrastructure
1) To develop a plan for protection of Critical Information Infrastructure and its
integration with business plan at the entity level and implement such plan. The plans
shall include establishing mechanisms for secure information flow (while in process,
handling, storage & transit), guidelines and standards, crisis management plan,
proactive security posture assessment and forensically enabled information
infrastructure.
2) To Operate a 24×7 National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre
(NCIIPC) to function as the nodal agency for critical information infrastructure
protection in the country.
3) To facilitate identification, prioritisation, assessment, remediation and protection of
critical infrastructure and key resources based on the plan for protection of critical
information infrastructure.
4) To mandate implementation of global security best practices, business continuity
management and cyber crisis management plan by all critical sector entities, to
reduce the risk of disruption and improve the security posture.
5) To encourage and mandate as appropriate, the use of validated and certified IT
products.
6) To mandate security audit of critical information infrastructure on a periodic basis.
7) To mandate certification for all security roles right from CISO / CSO to those involved
in operation of critical information infrastructure.
8) To mandate secure application / software development process (from design through
retirement) based on global best practices.
H. Promotion of Research & Development in cyber security
1) To undertake Research & Development programs for addressing all aspects of
development aimed at short term, medium term and long term goals. The Research
& Development programs shall address all aspects including development of
trustworthy systems, their testing, deployment and maintenance throughout the life
cycle and include R&D on cutting edge security technologies.
2) To encourage Research & Development to produce cost-effective, tailor-made
indigenous security solutions meeting a wider range of cyber security challenges and
target for export markets.
3) To facilitate transition, diffusion and commercialisation of the outputs of Research &
Development into commercial products and services for use in public and private
sectors.
4) To set up Centres of Excellence in areas of strategic importance for the point of
security of cyber space.
5) To collaborate in joint Research & Development projects with industry and
academia in frontline technologies and solution oriented research.
I. Reducing supply chain risks
1) To create and maintain testing infrastructure and facilities for IT security product
evaluation and compliance verification as per global standards and practices.
2) To build trusted relationships with product / system vendors and service providers for
improving end-to-end supply chain security visibility.
3) To create awareness of the threats, vulnerabilities and consequences of breach of
security among entities for managing supply chain risks related to IT (products,
systems or services) procurement.
J. Human Resource Development
1) To foster education and training programs both in formal and informal sectors to
support the Nation’s cyber security needs and build capacity.
2) To establish cyber security training infrastructure across the country by way of public
private partnership arrangements.
3) To establish cyber security concept labs for awareness and skill development in key
areas.
4) To establish institutional mechanisms for capacity building for Law Enforcement
Agencies.
K. Creating Cyber Security Awareness
1) To promote and launch a comprehensive national awareness program on security of
cyberspace.
2) To sustain security literacy awareness and publicity campaign through electronic
media to help citizens to be aware of the challenges of cyber security.
3) To conduct, support and enable cyber security workshops / seminars and
certifications.
L. Developing effective Public Private Partnerships
1) To facilitate collaboration and cooperation among stakeholder entities including
private sector, in the area of cyber security in general and protection of critical
information infrastructure in particular for actions related to cyber threats,
vulnerabilities, breaches, potential protective measures, and adoption of best
practices.
2) To create models for collaborations and engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
3) To create a think tank for cyber security policy inputs, discussion and deliberations.
M. Information sharing and cooperation
1) To develop bilateral and multi-lateral relationships in the area of cyber security with
other countries.
2) To enhance National and global cooperation among security agencies, CERTs,
Defence agencies and forces, Law Enforcement Agencies and the judicial systems.
3) To create mechanisms for dialogue related to technical and operational aspects with
industry in order to facilitate efforts in recovery and resilience of systems including
critical information infrastructure.
N. Prioritized approach for implementation
To adopt a prioritized approach to implement the policy so as to address the most
critical areas in the first instance.
V. Operationalisation of the Policy This policy shall be operationalised by way of detailed guidelines and plans of action at various levels such as national, sectoral, state, ministry, department and enterprise, as may be appropriate, to address the challenging requirements of security of the cyberspace.