AP Govt according high priority to cyber security: Minister

Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister"Nara Lokesh today said the state government, which is"promoting digital technologies in a big way, is also giving equal importance to cyber security.

The government had signed an MoU"with global payment provider Mastercard, to bring in the best practices in the field"of cyber security and also to promote financial technology in the state, with Visakhapatnam as the main centre, he told reporters here.

"As we are implementing digital solutions for delivery of public services and creating the right eco-system for developing fintech in the state by introducing new technologies such as blockchain, cyber security is of utmost importance to us. Mastercard will assist us in the endeavour," he said.

New technologies should be applied to the agriculture sector as well to find cost-effective solutions, Lokesh said after inaugurating a seminar on cyber security organised by the AP government and Mastercard.

"Credit rating for farmers is one area we are working on to facilitate easy and timely credit to farmers," he added. """""Mastercard, executive director, Ravi Aurora, said his company had always given the highest importance to cyber security, "as it is the essential pre-requisite for ushering in a digital, cashless economy."