Government of India is all set to launch new cyber security architecture amid recent revelations of compromising of Indian data by US National Security Agency (NSA).

The new architecture will create an interconnected set of organisations in key departments like National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), defence, home, and Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT). A Cyber Security Coordinator will preside over the new inter-agency structure.

Union Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Security have cleared National Cyber Security Framework and National Cyber Security Policy. It will involve public-private partnership to tackle any threats from the cyber world.

The need for such established infrastructure was felt in the wake of recent attacks from state and non-state actors. The prospect that massive amount of data from Indians and private entities have been compromised by US has added to New Delhi’s Dilemma.

The key feature of the new agency is that government will work with ISPs to oversee metadata of India users but will not mine the data.

There were significant cyber attacks during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 when there were 8000 attacks, most of which were pornographic in nature.

The Internet traffic in the country was of the order of 4,800 giga bytes, equivalent of zillions of calls and e-mails. Of this, 66 percent is mobile phones with data connection. There were also enough safeguards in the Information Technology Act to protect individual’s privacy and safety against misdeeds. A Cyber Security Board is also going to be set up.