Telecom department wants cyber security to be included for discussion at EU meet

NEW DELHI: The telecom department wants to include telecom security network as one of the discussion points in the next round of consultations in the European Union-India joint working group on cyber security which is scheduled to be held in Delhi. The DoT has also asked the ministry of external affairs to include in the discussions the active involvement of European telecom manufacturers for collaborating in developing research and testing centres in the country, according to an internal department note.

“Cyber security is impacted by the telecom network security of the access telecom networks and IT network infrastructure. Hence, it would be necessary to include telecom network security as one of the discussion points in the next round of EU India consultations,” a senior official has said in the note.

While the department has suggested creation of sub-working groups to assess opportunities, institutions and mechanisms of cooperation, it has added that a concrete roadmap must be created to develop expertise through training and partnership on technologies and legal framework on telecom security from EU structures. Given the capabilities in both the regions, the department has also suggested joint R&D apart from partnership in 5G development programme, a superior technology to 4G.

The DoT has also suggested that the two regions can collaborate in telecom testing and security certification, even as DoT is planning to make it legally binding for all telcos to get imported telecom gear certified by a locally accredited test lab.