Karnataka government launches new cyber security policy 2024

Bengaluru: On Thursday, the Karnataka Government launched its comprehensive Cyber Security Policy 2024, aimed at addressing the increasing threats of cybercrime and enhancing the state’s digital security infrastructure. The new policy seeks to promote awareness, skill development, public-private partnerships, and technological integration to safeguard the state’s digital assets.

Key Features of the Cyber Security Policy 2024

The policy is designed to address several critical areas:

• Awareness and Education: Raising public and organisational awareness about cyber threats and security practices.
• Skill Building: Developing cybersecurity skills across various segments, including industry professionals, startups, and government officials.
• Promotion of Industry and Startups: Encouraging the growth of cybersecurity firms and startups within Karnataka.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Enhancing capacity building through collaborative efforts between public and private sectors.

Minister Priyank Kharge’s Address
Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, as well as Information Technology and Biotechnology, highlighted the significance of the new policy during its launch. He stated, “The Government of Karnataka, recognising the rising importance of cyber security, has meticulously crafted this policy to establish a resilient and secure cyberspace for our citizens and enterprises.”

Kharge emphasized that the policy is designed to align with both national and international cybersecurity efforts, demonstrating Karnataka’s proactive approach to combating cyber threats.

Structure of the Policy
The policy is divided into two distinct parts:

1. Building a Cyber Security Ecosystem: This segment aims to create a robust cybersecurity environment involving the public, academia, industry, startups, and government bodies. It will be made available to the public.
2. Strengthening IT Assets: This section focuses on enhancing the cybersecurity measures for the state’s IT infrastructure. It will be internal to the state’s IT teams and departments to ensure secure implementation.

The development of the policy involved collaboration between the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (e-Governance), and the Home Department. Input was also provided by various stakeholders from both the government and private sectors. The Indian Institute of Science, which acts as the anchor institute for Karnataka’s K-tech Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security (CySecK), reviewed the policy.

Skilling Programme Launch
In addition to the policy, a new skilling programme has been launched in collaboration with network giant CISCO. The initiative aims to train 40,000 individuals, with a special focus on empowering women in the tech sector. Kharge noted, “This partnership with CISCO is a testament to our commitment to fostering a secure digital environment. By addressing the skills gap and promoting inclusivity, we are strengthening our cybersecurity workforce.”

Conclusion
The Cyber Security Policy 2024 marks a significant step towards fortifying Karnataka’s digital infrastructure and ensuring a safer online environment for its residents and businesses. The policy’s emphasis on education, skill development, and public-private collaboration reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling cyber threats.