Getting cyber defences ready: India needs a robust cybersecurity policy

India has one of the highest number of internet users in the world and is also among the top-10 countries facing cyberattacks. Today, cybersecurity issues are not only limited to hacking and money related frauds but also have become critical from a national security point of view. The announcement by the prime minister on Independence Day, that India will soon have a new cybersecurity policy is timely, as its dependence on cyberspace has increased manifold.

The new policy is expected to address the current gaps and provide a strong framework to handle issues related to cybersecurity. The policy will focus on major governance reforms. Today, there are many agencies at the national and state levels, looking into cybersecurity-related issues. However, there is no centralised command to have oversight and coordinate efforts to handle larger cybersecurity issues.