Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for sharing of information and coordination among nations to ensure that “digital space does not become a playground for the dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation”.
Speaking at the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS), attended by delegates from 131 countries, Mr. Modi pitched for creating “cyberwarriors” to keep the digital space safe.
Striking a balance
Amid the ongoing debate in the country over data privacy, the Prime Minister said it was possible to strike a balance between privacy and national security. “The quest for an open and accessible Internet often leads to vulnerability. Stories of hacking and defacement of websites are the tip of an iceberg...We need to ensure that vulnerable sections of our society do not fall prey to the evil designs of cybercriminals. Alertness towards cybersecurity concerns should become a way of life,” he said.
He said that one of the major focus areas should be the training of well-equipped and capable professionals to counter cyberthreats. Mr. Modi said: “Cyberwarriors who will remain on the alert against cyberattacks … We need to ensure that cyberprotection becomes an attractive and viable career option for the youth.”
Calling on the nations to take responsibility to ensure safety in the digital space, he said, “Information sharing and coordination among security agencies is essential to counter the ever-changing threat landscape.”
“Surely, we can walk the fine balance between privacy and openness on one hand, and national security on the other. Together, we can overcome the differences between global and open systems on one hand, and nation-specific legal requirements on the other,” he added.
Stating that cyberspace remains a key area for innovation, the Prime Minister invited the delegates and the industry leaders present to invest in this space, and be a part of the unfolding story of Indian startups. “Today’s discourse is being shaped by Facebookers, Tweeples, and Instagrammers.” Mr. Modi launched the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) mobile app, after nearly a year it was announced. The application will provide over a hundred e-government services to citizens
“Today, digital technology has emerged as a great enabler. It has paved the way for efficient service delivery and governance. It is improving access, in domains from education to health. And it is helping to shape the future of business and economy,” he said, adding that on a macro scale, it has contributed to emergence of a flat world, where a developing nation like India can compete on a level footing with developed nations.
While sharing its success stories with the global community, India is also keen to find scalable models and innovative solutions in education and health, using digital technology, Mr. Modi said, adding that the country wants to make cyberspace an enabler for the differently-abled.
