While several of the Army’s communication systems are built by BEL, some of the larger servers and other basic components are imported. This creates vulnerability of malware or bugging of these critical network systems.
To address this, all imported components are screened before being cleared for installation, Army sources said.
But realising the inherent strategic vulnerability, sources said, the Army has shifted focus to indigenous software and hardware development.
Separate networkThe Army also has a separate network called the Army Wide Areas Network which is presently connected from the Army Headquarters to the battalion level with optic fibre network. This is separate from the Internet which prevents snooping, Army sources said.
Work is on to expand this further to ensure last-mile connectivity to the unit level which is expected to be completed in the next few years.
At the operational level, a unit will be equipped with data radios which are special handsets being built by BEL with indigenous software.
Once equipped they will enable live streaming from the battle field to the operations room enabling battlefield transparency.
