Information security key to Indo-US trade : Juster

Information security is one of the keys to unlocking the full potential of the trade and technology relationship between the United States and India, Kenneth Juster, the US' under secretary for bureau of industry and security, said today.

"Without an adequate level of security, we run the risk of backlash among consumers and loss of confidence among business people, which could severely limit progress in our trade and technology relationship," Juster said while speaking at an interactive session organised by Confederation of Indian Industries here.

As commerce between the US and India continued to expand, consumers and corporations would seek to ensure that their personal information and business proprietary data were secure, he said.

Later, talking to newspersons, Juster said one of the challenges that West Bengal faced was to make itself better known. "Perception of the state is not that better because of historical reasons and this needs to be corrected."

Asked whether the ideological differences between the Left parties and the ruling United Progressive Alliance was a matter of concern to the US, he said, "I am encouraged by what I hear from the Left government in West Bengal. I will help to carry the message to Delhi and to the US."

Asked about his opinion on India's preparedness with regard to cyber security, Juster said he could say anything about India's preparedness, but believed that situation was moving in the positive direction. He also said India needed to develop its infrastructure, copy right laws and lower tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Coming back to cyber security, Juster said while a cyber attack would not be considered a weapon of mass destruction, it could be thought of as a weapon of mass disruption.

One person with relatively little training, inexpensive equipment, and access to the internet has the potential to disable an entire network or infrastructure, he noted.