Recently India has banned 59 China originated apps which were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order. Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State has also welcomed India’s decision.
Earlier, Pentagon has also released a list of 20 companies which are owned and supported by the Chinese Army. China’s image has been damaged extensively and many countries see China as a culprit of this pandemic. Soon after, Australia demanded an investigation into the origin and spread of coronavirus in Wuhan. China is using a thread of cyber attacks on the countries who are opposing China’s expansionist policy. Approximately 30% of all the cyberattacks on the world are done from China. Most of these attacks are done from Chengdu which is also considered as cyber-attack headquarter of China.
Maharashtra cyber department had said that 40300 cyber-attack attempt work done in just 5 days by the Chinese State-backed hackers after the increase in the geopolitical tension in the Galway Valley at LAC. According to the Annual Cyber Security Report by CISCO, 53% of Cyberattacks cause more than $500k of financial loss to the organisation in 2018 in India.
Although India has a National Cybersecurity policy(2013). But this policy is not strong enough to tackle with these state-backed hackers. This is a poorly drafted policy having meaningless provisions. China’s policy on cybersecurity is threatening to the whole world. According to China Cyber Law 2017, any China oriented company have to give full access to the data of their consumers to the Chinese security agency. Companies are legally bound to Share the data with these agencies.
Due to such cyber policies, many companies in the world are not allowing Chinese companies to supply their technological equipment to their country. Huawei, the world’s number one technological equipments supplier and number 2 phone manufacturer have been officially designated as a national type of equipment heat by the Federal Communication Commission(FCI). The US is also pressurizing allies to block Huawei from 5g wireless network and had promised to help countries in 5g wireless network who will not take technological help from China. In India, BSNL is also going to ban Chinese equipment in the 4G upgrade. Many countries of the world are taking action against Chinese companies who are National Security threat.
The rapid increase in cyber attacks by State hackers and terrorist groups have made cybercrime a key National Security Issue and has also emphasized on the need of international agreement on the creation of a common International Cyber Security Law. And this is also important because cyberspace and cybersecurity are not limited to National borders.
But since the world still don’t have a proper definition of terrorism, so how can we expect a common International Cybersecurity Law will be formed easily.
To tackle the problems of cyber attackers who are creating a national security threat
• India should make a Strong Cyber Security Policy.
• A Cyber Workforce should also be formed to monitor all the cyber threats and their sources.
• A Quick Response Team should also be made to block any sudden serious cyberattack on the organisations.
• India should create awareness about Cyber Security among its citizens by organising the workshop and other events.
[Writer is a student of faculty of Commerce, BHU and a Member of FETC]