Known for its techies globally, but still hit by cyber ransomware viruses like WannaCry back home, Andhra Pradesh has decided to take the hacking menace head on. Citizens with specified qualifications in cyber security will be hired as ‘Web Constables’ even as all officers in the rank of Sub-Inspectors and above will be trained in the cyber security domain.
This apart, a Cyber Security Centre (CSC) of international standards will be set up with immediate effect to observe and track hackers’ movements anywhere in the world, and a Cyber Security Call Centre with a toll-free number to help citizens will be established. In all, the State Government plans to recruit 20,000 cyber security professionals.
With hackers striking at will across countries including India, the Andhra Government too was hit by the latest WannaCry virus. Its Revenue Department and Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD) were hit by the virus. The State Government has thus decided to take immediate steps to prevent a repeat of such malware attacks, especially against the backdrop of many e-Governance schemes like e-Pragati, AP FiberNet among others being run.
“As terrorists and criminals are using technology including different Apps, we must be in a position to identify such unlawful actions in advance,” Andhra IT Minister N lokesh, who held a high-level meeting with IT officials and experts, said.
The establishment of CSC is part of a Special Action Plan as per the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Policy 2017, unveiled three months ago.
“Citizens qualified in areas like cyber security laws, acquainted with cyber crime and who want to provide advocacy and reporting services in close association with the local police will be hired as Web Constables,” officials said.
IT Principal Secretary K Vijayanand, Home Principal Secretary Anuradha, Adviser JA Choudhary, AP Innovation Society CEO Valli Kumari and Vijayawada Commissioner of Police Goutham Sawang participated in the meeting.
lokesh advised officers to fast track the setting up of the Centre for Excellence for Cyber Security; and suggested a review of the action plan of AP Skill Development Corporation and Nasscom which have joined hands to train youth in areas such as Cyber Security and Data Analytics. “Capacity building of youth and making them cyber security experts was stressed upon,” officials said.
He also directed for the immediate creation of a Cyber Security Call Centre with a toll- free number, which the citizens can call to get help and support on cyber security incidents and anticipated threats.
“To get good cyber security protection, if necessary, the Minister also suggested partnering with national and international institutions, organisations and companies. He also stressed for encouraging Cyber Security-based IT Companies in the State,” officials pointed out.
The Cyber Security Policy aims to “to create a robust cyber ecosystem, wherein the citizens transact online securely and take steps to protect their identity, privacy and finances online, the businesses conduct their operations without any disruption or damage and the Government ensures that its data and ICT systems are secure”.