Proposal for setting up Telecom Security Directorate mooted

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Aug 04 2013 | 6:45 PM IST
In the wake of vulnerability of the telecom network at the hand of hackers, a proposal for setting up Telecom Security Directorate (TSD) has been mooted to ensure a coherent organisational structure for tackling cyber threats.
A document has been moved by the Department of Telecom (DoT) which reasons that such an organisation was the "need of the hour" as it is observed that departments of many ministries were dealing in network security "in bits and pieces".
The note said many organisations like Intelligence Bureau, DoT, National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), Telecom Enforcement Resources and Monitoring (TERM), National Security Council Secretariat, Department of Information Technology (DeitY) and others were working in ensuring safety of telecom network of the country.
"However, main coordination work and the work related to security policies and project execution is being done by security unit, which is not well structured to deal with all the works that need to be carried.
"Secondly, the unit...Is constrained by administrative and financial powers, which are must for operating a unit effectively. Hence there is an urgent need to create TSD," the note signed by DoT Deputy Director General Ram Narian said.
The note has been sent to Telecom Commission for approval or sending it to Union cabinet with its recommendation in case the Commission did not have powers to approve.
The DoT note reasoned that the most of the economic activities of a nation depended upon telecom infrastructure of the nation. "Inimical forces could bring down the economic activities of a country to halt in short moment from anywhere in the world," the note said and gave an example of Estonia, a country in North Europe, which faced a similar attack in 2007.
The DoT note reasoned that the most of the economic activities of a nation depended upon telecom infrastructure of the nation. "Inimical forces could bring down the economic activities of a country to halt in short moment from anywhere in the world," the note said and gave an example of Estonia, a country in North Europe, which faced a similar attack in 2007.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Aug 04 2013 | 6:45 PM IST

Next Story