Nothing called fully perfect IT security: Chandrashekar

There cannot be a complete security of personal data of online consumers, Nasscom chief R Chandrashekar today said, underscoring the need for strict enforcement of consumer protection laws to minimise impact.
"More than 3 million credit card data were misused recently. Let us face it, these kind of security breaches will take place. There is nothing called fully perfect security in IT," Chandrashekar said while addressing an event organised to commemorate the World Consumer Rights Day.
The impact and scale of such incidents can be minimised, but a complete cyber security cannot be provided, he cautioned.
There is a greater urgency, according to Chandrashekar, to protect online consumers as the e-commerce industry is growing at a faster pace. More so because the country does not even have privacy laws unlike others such as the UK and the US where online consumers are protected, he said.

While access to personal data helps companies give better services to consumers, there is a need to strike a balance between voluntary and mandatory disclosure of personal data, he suggested.
It is not that a separate law is required to regulate e-commerce market, but the question is how to enforce consumer laws in digital world, Chandrashekar said.

Earlier addressing the event, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said there is a dilemma on how to strike a balance between maintaining privacy of data and at the same time using it for providing better services.
He said the government is pushing digital programmes to empower people to improve their lives and cited various experiences of common people earning better income taking advantage of digital technologies like Internet and smartphones.

Speaking on the occasion, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) Member Rekha Gupta said special attention needs to be given in areas of data protection and security breaches.
There is a rise in complaints in consumer courts on e-commerce and digital financial products like cloning of ATM cards and unauthorised withdrawal of money, she said, hoping that new law will have provisions to curb such practice.