By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: The State government, on Wednesday, issued orders framing the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Policy 2017. The decision to have a new Cyber Security Policy was taken at the recent Cabinet meeting.

With digital technology becoming part of every facet of the day-to-day life of common man, the security threat over the cyberspace has become real, hence the new Cyber Security Policy was mooted.

Given the scenario, Central Government, in 2013, had brought in a National Cyber Security Policy which lays down a number of strategies for realising the vision of ‘building a secure and resilient cyberspace for citizens, businesses and Government’.

These strategies seek to create an assurance framework; strengthen the regulatory framework; create capabilities and systems required for assessment of risks, early warning and incident management; protect Critical Information Infrastructure; secure e-Government services; develop human resources, and above all, create an all-round awareness of the importance of cyber security.

Andhra Pradesh has been a pioneer in the use of ICTs extensively for delivery of public services. The e-Pragati Program being currently implemented by the Government is based on a whole-of-government approach, whereby all the e-Governance systems are interconnected and integrated and provides a wide range of services online.

Core datasets like the People Hub, Land Hub, Entity Hub, GIS Hub and IoT Hub will be created and extensively used in providing digital services. The AP FibreNet initiative will make universal access to Internet a reality soon. In this context, it is all the more necessary for Andhra Pradesh to fortify its cyber security mechanisms and create a robust security ecosystem in the State.

The Government feels it expedient to establish the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security

Policy to complement and supplement the National Cyber Security Policy 2013 and give a practical effect to it in the State.

The Vision of the Andhra Pradesh Cyber Security Policy is ‘to create a robust cyber eco-system, 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’.

The Policy outlines the specific steps and initiatives to be taken by the Government and all other stakeholders to realise the Vision. Apart from establishing Cyber Security Framework, it will also establish the AP Computer Emergency Response Team (AP-CERT) in tune with the national and international norms, as the State-level coordination point for providing cyber security information and advice to the Andhra Pradesh community.