Thursday, August 01, 2013: In a move to prevent cyber attacks on India’s telephone networks and safeguard telecom infrastructure, the government plans to set up two separate regulatory agencies in order to coordinate telecom security-related initiatives. A clearance is required from the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body in the communications ministry for the formation of a Telecom Security Directorate (TSD) and a National Telecom Network Security Coordination Board (NTNSCB).
These agencies are expected to frame standards and procedures for testing network gear in addition to monitoring implementation of the telecom security policy. Until now, multiple central agencies that span the Ministry of communications & IT and Ministry of Home Affairs and even the Prime Minister’s Office were handling telecom security issues. The move allows consolidating execution of the government’s telecom security plan.
The proposal envisages that TSD will be responsible for coordinating work with respect to security policy and project execution. The NTNSCB will function as “an oversight body” aimed at providing suggestions to address telecom security issues in future apart from monitoring implementation of the new standards.
According to ZeeBiz, the NTNSCB will consist of eight members with the Telecom Secretary as the Chairman. The board will be set up at the Department of Telecom (DoT) headquarters. The TSD will be staffed by seven senior officials.
