Karnataka Govt to Launch Cybersecurity Policy Soon, Says Deputy CM C N Ashwath Narayan

• Speaking at the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Program, Ashwath Narayan says the new policy will be framed to address the needs of the citizens.
• The government also unveiled mascots, Rakshaka & Bhakshaka, who will be innovatively used to make the public more cyber aware.

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan said the government would soon come out with a cybersecurity policy.

Cybersecurity is gaining increased focus in the government in view of the rapid adoption of information technology (IT) solutions for delivering public services.

While this has many benefits, the increased adoption of IT also comes associated with significant cyber risks, said Ashwath Narayan, who holds IT, Biotechnology and Science and Technology portfolios.

Driven by global connectivity and usage of cloud services, cybersecurity has become crucial.

Cybersecurity encompasses everything that pertains to protecting the sensitive data such as personal information, intellectual property, data, and governmental and industry information systems from theft and damage attempted by criminals and adversaries.

"The new policy will be framed to address the needs of the citizens, industry, and students as well as the State government", he added.

The scope of digital transactions is expanding each passing day and cybersecurity has become a subject of paramount importance, the Deputy Chief Minister was quoted as saying in an official press statement. 

Ashwath Narayan inaugurated the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Program conducted by CySecKCoE & KtechiH to spread cybersafety awareness among state government employees.

Also read: Inflection Point Ventures Partners With Moneycontrol To Launch Pitch Right

The government also unveiled mascots, Rakshaka & Bhakshaka, who will be innovatively used to make the public more cyber aware.

The Covid19 pandemic has hastened the digitization of government operations increasing the need to focus on improving cybersecurity within the government as well as awareness about cybercrimes among the citizens.

"To promote cybersecurity amongst the public, we have taken proactive measures such as setting up CySecK - a Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security (housed at IIS Bangalore) and launching the first cybersecurity specific startup accelerator program- 'H.A.C.K'," he added.

Commenting on why the government has decided to draft a 'Cybersecurity Policy' for the state, Ashwath Narayan said the Government of Karnataka led by CM B.S. Yediyurappa understands the need to focus on cybersecurity to sustain a safe and resilient technology ecosystem in Karnataka.

Follow IndianStartupNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter for the latest updates from the startup ecosystem.