Haryana becomes first state to have Cyber Security Policy: Ravi Shankar

Gurugram, Sept 15: Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad today launched the country’s maiden Cyber Security Policy in Haryana, ensuring protection to the critical IT and Information Communication Technology (ICT) data from unauthorised access. Addressing the Digital Haryana Summit after launching the policy in presence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here, Mr Prasad said the policy ensures confidentiality and integrity of such information from unauthorised use, disclosure, modification and disposal, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain was also present on this occasion. Detailing about the policy, Principal Secretary, Electronics and Information Technology Devender Singh said the policy would ensure that awareness programmes on Information Security are available to all employees and wherever applicable to third party like subcontractors, consultants and vendors and regular training imparted to them. He said it would also ensure that any security incidents and infringement of the Policy, actual or suspected reported are investigated by the designated Chief Information Security Officer and appropriate corrective and preventive action initiated. The policy would be reviewed at periodic intervals to check for its effectiveness, changes in technology, legal and contractual requirements, and business efficiency, Mr Singh added. Its objective is to create a safe cyber society by generating adequate trust and confidence in IT and ICT information process systems in Haryana cyberspace, enhancing adoption of secured IT and ICT infrastructure in all sectors of economy. The Principal Secretary said the other objectives of Cyber Security Policy are to encourage wider usage of IT and ICT infrastructure by all entities, including government, for trusted communication, transactions and authentication. This policy will also lead to establishment and creation of Haryana State Computer Emergency Response Team (HSCERT) for obtaining strategic information regarding incidents and threats towards Haryana State IT and ICT infrastructure. It will also enable Education, Training and Awareness activities for creating skilled manpower and spreading cyber security awareness among public and enhance global cooperation by promoting shared understanding of cyber security. The State nodal agency Information Security Management Office (ISMO), Electronics and Information Technology Department would be designated for coordination of entire activities related to cyber security in Haryana, he added. The spokesman said the state government would create a Haryana State Cyber Security Policy Framework (HSCSPF) with coordination of different departments. He said the state government would coordinate with all the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in the State to ensure that they establish and enforce appropriate cyber security plans in line with this policy framework. He said ISMO would serve as central point in the State for responding to cyber security incidents on occurrence and initiate proactive measures to increase awareness and understanding of cyber security issues. UNI