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Cyberspace is becoming more and
more central to the operations of the Government, and critical
infrastructures such as Power, Telecommunications,
Transportation, Energy, Banking & Finance, Defence and so on.
Cyberspace comprises the interconnected computers, servers,
routers, switches, fibre optic cables, and satellite links that
make the critical infrastructure work. The functioning of
cyberspace is becoming essential to national and global economy.
The communications infrastructure, however, is vulnerable to
intrusions. Intruders gain access to computer systems and
networks in unauthorized ways. They engage in security incidents
such as hacking, website defacements, denial-of-service attacks,
access to sensitive financial or other important data with a
view to cause embezzlement and other financial frauds.
Information security is the key issue in today’s Information
Technology world. IDC estimates information security jobs
worldwide now number 1.4 million, a 9 percent increase from 2004
to 2005, and it forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 8.5
percent until 2009, when it estimates there will be more than
1.9 million jobs. Thus, there is a sizable requirement of cyber
security products and services. Professionals worldwide
indicated that information security is now being perceived as a
business enabler rather than a business expense. India being a
super power in software industry could contribute substantially
to this. This necessitates, development of specialized
manpower, both at high end and low end, in the country.
The manpower requirement will not only cater to world market but
will also cater to country’s requirement. In addition to
developing specialized manpower and managers in the cyber
security area, there will be a requirement of dissemination of
Information security related information & issues and educating/
training computer network users. These training could be at
various level including introductory training, technical
training, master training and continued education in different
security disciplines. The whole idea being that the users also
contribute to the Information security initiatives of the
Government level.
Realizing the imperative for
developing this area in the country, especially from the point
of view of Education and Awareness, a Working Group on Cyber
Security-Education and Awareness, has been formed by Department
of Information Technology. The working group on Cyber Security
Education & Awareness recommended for “Development Capsules on
Information Security Related Issues” for officers of Central &
State Govt. All the DOEACC Centres are initiating training
programmes at various levels to scale up quality IT
Security professionals.
DOEACC
Centres
at
Aurangabad,
Gorakhpur ,
Imphal and
Calicut
( with NIT Calicut) have been designated as Participating
institutions under DIT Project of Information Security Education
and Awareness (ISEA). DOEACC Centre,
Calicut
is working on development of
"Certification for Information Security Professionals"
under DIT Project. |
