The government said it would up its focus on cyber capabilities, including developing and researching new technologies that can be leveraged for the future.
It set aside Rs 110 crore for cybersecurity projects, including the National Cyber Security Co-ordination Centre and others.
The first phase of the Rs 1000 crore NCCC began operations last year. The centre will monitor inbound and outbound internet traffic and cyber security threats. The allocation for 2018-19 will be used towards implementation of NCCC Phase-II, providing financial support to three ongoing R&D projects for NCCC and continue support to ongoing projects.
“Combining cyber and physical systems have great potential to transform not only innovation ecosystem but also our economies and the way we live. To invest in research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, quantum communication and internet of things, Department of Science & Technology will launch a Mission on Cyber Physical Systems to support establishment of centres of excellence,” said Minister Jaitley in his Budget speech on Thursday.
The focus on cybersecurity is a pressing concern in the increasingly digital age where nearly all aspects of our lives are online.
However, the allocations are not nearly enough to make any significant impact on the way cyberspace is spread out.
“There wasn’t much mention of cyber security in this budget. At Davos the PM talked about cyber security as a focus area but that same ethos does not appear to be reflecting in the action on ground,” said Ankush Johar, Director, Infosec Ventures, which provides security infrastructure for corporate and government clients.
The overall cybersecurity projects were allocated Rs 100 crore in last year’s budget, which was to be used for IT Act Amendments, eEvidence Scheme, setting up BC&MA centre, emergency response system and federated emergency response centres.
The funds allocated for cybersecurity have been distributed over several ministries and departments of the government including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-In, the national agency that reports cyber incidents and the Cyber Appellate Tribunal were allotted Rs 40.48 crore in the Union Budget of 2017, under the head of cybersecurity in MeitY.
The National Emergency Response System and Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children under the Ministry of Home Affairs was allotted Rs 313.30 crore, reported MoneyControl.
