In an era of sophisticated cyber warfare and despite over 16 crore internet users in India - the third highest in the world after China and the USA — there are just 556 cyber specialists positioned at various levels in the Government departments.
As per the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013, there is an immediate need of about five lakh information security experts. The alarming shortage in the official information security workforce has led the Union HRD and Telecom Ministries to chart out a road map for safeguarding India’s cyber security architecture.
While Cyber Security and Information Security (CS & IS) is all set to be introduced as a subject in higher and secondary education in the country, the Government plans to hire around 5,000 information security experts who would impart training to create a larger dependable force of cyber experts across the country, top Government sources said. Comparatively, China has a voluminous 1.25 lakh cyber experts for its over 56 crore internet users, while the United States has around a one-lakh-strong force.
According to MoS HRD Shahshi Tharoor, based on the recommendations of the Task Force on the National Security System constituted on the direction of the Cabinet Committee on Security, the introduction of this subject will be taken up at all the technical institutions and colleges across the country. Recently, Minister of State for telecommunications Milind Deora, too, informed the lok Sabha that cyber attacks, malware infection and targeted denial of service, are being increasingly reported by private users and Government departments. Sources said the Government could even rope in the services of the private sector. “Teaching computer-age or industrial-age courses in colleges will not help students get job in the information-age. Information security-course modules are the need of the hour,” said Neha of Appin Technology lab.