Illustrative image (Source: ciso.economictimes.indiatimes.com) New Delhi (VNA) – The second ASEAN-India Track 1.5 Dialogue on Cyber Issues was held virtually in New Delhi, India on October 13, focusing on cooperation and security in the digital and cyber domain in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.
The event was attended by Indonesian Ambassador to India Dato Suryodipuro, Director of the Observer Research Foundation Akshay Mathur, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry Vijay Thakur Singh, and eminent cyber experts representing governments, think-tanks, academia, and industry from the ASEAN member states and India.
Participants at the event agreed that due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, work from home has become a new norm.
There is a greater dependence on digital payment platforms due to reduced cash handling, while presence on social media has also increased, they said.
They held that that with increased interconnectedness, the dangers related to cybercrime is also on the rise. COVID-19 related frauds, phishing campaigns, and online sale of fake medical supplies and PPEs are on the rise too.
Vijay Thakur Singh highlighted the dangers involved with cybercrimes.
She said that the increased dependence on digital technologies has created both pressures and opportunities for creative policy solutions and regional collaboration to foster a secure, resilient and equitable cyberspace.
In view of the lurking dangers involved with it, Singh laid stress on the enhanced need to formulate and implement measures for securing cyber domain from the malicious actors.
The official introduced Indian initiatives to tackle the situation, including the National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 for the next five years.
The ASEAN too has come up with its own sets of solutions to curb cyber crimes, such as the e-ASEAN Framework Agreement, ASEAN Economic Community 2025, and Master Plan of ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC 2025).
Meanwhile, India launched India's Centres of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDTs) in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to enhance digital cooperation./.
VNA
