Union Cabinet approves MoU with USA on partnership for Cyber Security

The Union Cabinet, presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 22 March 2017 was apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-ln) and the US Homeland Security Department on cooperation in the field of Cyber Security.

The MoU was signed on 11 January 2017 in New Delhi.

The agreement aims to promote closer co-operation and exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations and on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.

About Indian Computer Emergency Response Team

• The CERT-In is the Government organisation under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• It is a nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.

• It strengthens security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.

• In December 2013, the organisation had reported a rise in the cyber attacks on Government organisations like banking and finance, oil and gas and emergency services.

• In March 2014, the organisation had also reported a critical flaw in Android Jelly bean's VPN implementation.

Background

On 19 July 2011, the United States and India had signed an MoU to promote a closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organizations of their respective Governments responsible for Cyber Security.

Since July 2011, regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security related issues.