Microsoft And Symantec Eyes Upon Cyber Security Market Of India

First it was Microsoft that supported a public-private partnership (PPP)-based model to generate awareness among people in India about cyber attacks. Now it is the turn of Symantec to show its presence in India. Symantec has recently announced opening of its cyber security centre in the Chennai state of India.

This shows that Indian cyber security market is up for a grab. It is not the case that India has no such centers in the past. In fact, Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) manages the exclusive techno legal cyber security research, development and training centre of India (CSRTCI).

With global players like Microsoft and Symantec exploring the Indian cyber security market, it is safe to assume that Indian homeland security market is going to witness a boom. This is also the reason that India and US are about to discuss the homeland security dialogue between these two countries.

While none can doubt about the utility of homeland security in India yet we must also develop an open source policy of India to strengthen Indian cyber security infrastructure. India should not spend huge amount of money on proprietary hardware and software when alternative and viable solutions are available free of cost.

At the same time India must concentrate upon strengthening its homeland security by encouraging indigenously built hardware and software. With sufficient incentives to local manufacturers, India can develop its own operating systems, anti virus software, cyber security software and hardware.

India-US Homeland Security Dialogue

India and United States (US) have in the past worked in the direction of homeland security. In fact a cyber security forum was started between India and US that faced some troubles and it became obsolete. Now talks are in progress to revive Indo US homeland security dialogue once more.

A special emphasis has been laid upon counter-terrorism co-operation, intelligence sharing, technology transfers and capacity building. Homeland security in India is at the infancy stage. Issues like cyber law, cyber security, cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, etc are still not considered while formulation national policies of India.

At Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) we are managing the exclusive techno legal cyber security research and training centre of India (CSRTCI). The centre is covering areas like cyber law, cyber security, cyber forensics, critical ICT infrastructure protection, cyber warfare, cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, national counter terrorism centre (NCTC), national intelligence grid (Natgrid) of India, crime and criminal tracking networks and systems (CCTNS), etc.

CSRTCI is supported by Cyberspace Human Rights Protection Centre of India that is working in the direction of reconciling the conflicting interests of national security and civil liberties protection.

The proposed Indo US homeland security dialogue must address many crucial issues ranging from cyber law to cyber security. Issues like encryption, technology transfer, international cooperation to fight cyber crimes and terrorism, etc must also be a part of national policies of both US and India.

PTLB believes that besides addressing these issues the proposed India US dialogue must also concentrate upon mutual trainings and skills development issues in the abovementioned fields. India particularly needs skill development trainings for intelligence gathering and their analysis. In all probability, this would be a fruitful and productive dialogue between India and US.