Cyber threat is a global issue, says DoT official

Cyber threats cannot be localised and keeping this aspect in mind, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an arm of the UN, is trying to formulate a legal framework to deal with the issue, a senior government official has said.

"Cyber security is of global nature and the ITU is serious about dealing with cyber threats," Deputy Director (International Relations), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), R N Jha, told PTI here.

About hacking of sensitive information by some countries, he said the union, of which India is a prominent member, is looking at setting up a legal mechanism to deal with such matters.

However, cyber warfare is a far more serious issue as it can be launched from any part of the world, and hence, it can't be tackled by nations at the individual level, Jha said.
    
For this, ITU had formulated a cyber security agenda in 2008 and identified some important pillars like harmonised legal framework, mutual cooperation and identification of culprits for extradition to the affected country, Jha said.
    
While individual-level security is important, global synergy was needed to deal with cases of cyber war, he said.
    
As a dominant power in the global IT space, India is helping SAARC countries, Asean members and African nations in areas like telemedicine and education, the DoT official said.