The need for the inclusion of cyber technology in the strategic sector and the changing perspective of national security policy for India in the technology age
Cyber is often seen as the fifth dimension of warfare with land, sea, air, and space. It is increasingly likely that cyber warfare will soon become a regular part of nations’ arsenals.
As far as India is concerned, it ranks third in the world after the United States and China in terms of the number of Internet users, but its cyber security infrastructure is still in its nascent stage.
Changing military doctrine around the world is now emphasizing the need to establish a Cyber Command, which reflects a change in strategies as well as building deterrence in cyberspace.
Cyber Warfare and India
Introduction: It is the act of using computer technology to disrupt the activities of a state or organization, especially by attacking their information systems for strategic or military purposes.
Cyberwarfare typically involves using methods of illegal ‘exploitation’ (‘exploit’ is a code that takes advantage of software vulnerabilities or security flaws) on the Internet, generating corruption or distortion in computer networks and software, hacking, computer forensics, and espionage.
Arguments in favor of cyber warfare: With responsible use and appropriate controls, cyber warfare is a safer and more resilient strategic option, which can be a crucial phase between imposing sanctions and bombing.
Minimizes the loss of human life: Reducing the loss of human life is one of the fundamental principles of the ethics of war.
Cyberwars can be seen as an opportunity to reduce global violence and can reduce the loss of human life in wars.
Preventing physical territorial aggression:-Waging digitally provides a unique opportunity, where politics is sustained by other means, without physical aggression on sovereign territory.
Arguments Against Cyber Warfare:
Threats to International Security: Cyberwarfare includes attacks on military infrastructure, government and private communication systems, and financial markets, revealing a rapidly growing (but still poorly understood) threat to international security And can become a decisive instrument in future conflicts/wars between countries.
Risk of increased war engagement: The size of the country will not matter much after the entry of cyber technology as a major component in the defense policies of a country.
Even a small country with cyber technology will be as powerful as a big country like the US, Russia, India or China, because they will have the ability to inflict huge damage.
Increase in the number of conflicts: With cyber warfare in general, each nation will have to be more prepared for bilateral conflicts, which will be based on cyber warfare rather than relying on military blocks for mobilization or multilateral activities of traditional warfare.
Threat to India:
Past Experiences: India has been a victim of cyber attacks many times in the past.
In 2009, a suspected cyber espionage network called GhostNet targeted the Tibetan government-in-exile in India and several Indian embassies, among others.
Many experts are of the opinion that the power outage in Mumbai in the year 2020 was the result of an attack by a Chinese state-sponsored group.
Threat from China: The real threat to India lies in targeted cyber attacks from enemy countries.
Countries like China have immense resources to carry out sophisticated cyber attacks.
Lack of cyberspace infrastructure: India is one of the few countries whose military still does not have a dedicated cyber component.
The establishment of a Defense Cyber Agency was announced, but only half-hearted steps were taken in this direction, revealing the inefficiency of the strategic planning process in India.
way ahead
Bringing Changes in National Security Policy:
Clarifying Objectives: National security policy in the 21st century needs to define what assets are to be protected, and identify those adversaries who are against the target nation through unusual measures to promote misinformation. Try to scare people.
Setting priorities: National security priorities need new departments to collaborate and support various fronts of innovation and technology such as hydrogen fuel cells, seawater desalination, the use of thorium for nuclear technology, anti-computer viruses, and new immunosuppressive drugs. Will be
This focus on the new priority will require compulsory education in science and mathematics, especially in the application of analytical disciplines.
Along with this, every citizen will need to be made aware of this remote-controlled new military technology and to be prepared for it.
Change in strategy: The strategy required for this new national security policy should be the ability to anticipate enemies in different dimensions and have a demonstrable but limited pre-attack capability by developing a strategy that can counter the enemy.
China’s cyber capability is a new threat to India, for which it will have to prepare a new strategy.
New Agenda: The agenda for the new strategy will have to focus on critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, and maritime security.
Role of policy-makers: The government should provide a separate budget for cyber security.
A central body of cyber warriors will have to be created to counter state-sponsored hackers.
India’s talent base should be leveraged in software development by providing career opportunities.
Cyber security capability programs in the states should be supported through central funding.
Defense, Deterrence, and Exploitation: These will be the three main components of any national strategy to counter cyber threats.
Critical cyberinfrastructure must be protected, and necessary procedures should be established for honest reporting of breaches by individual ministries and private companies.
Deterrence is an extremely complex issue in cyberspace. Nuclear deterrence is successful because the capabilities of the enemy are manifest or obvious, but such clarity is not present in the case of cyber warfare.
The exploitation of cyberspace is essential for achieving national security objectives. Its preparation will have to start with the Indian Army gathering intelligence, evaluating targets, and preparing specific tools for cyber attacks.
Conclusion
When cyber technology becomes an important part of a nation’s defense policies, factors such as the size of land area or GDP will become irrelevant. Therefore, a clearer and more transparent strategy are crucial for improving India’s cyber security situation.
A clear public stance on cyber defense and warfare enhances civilian trust, helps build trust among allies, and gives potential adversaries a clear indication of intent; Thus enabling a more stable and secure cyber ecosystem.
