Need to address cyber security at smart cities: S Ramadorai

MUMBAI: The National Skill Development Council has emphasised on the need to address the critical aspect of cyber security while planning smart cities.

"Cyber security is a critical aspect in the planning and development of smart cities," council chairman S Ramadorai told a seminar on smart cities held here over the weekend.

The former head of the largest software exporter TCS said we already being the world's youngest country, and smart cities will need an ideal environment to meet the expectations of internet-savvy youth.

"A large number of our youth especially those in the 15-20 age group are digitally savvy. These are the people who never go to a railway station or a bus terminal or a cinema all to book a ticket but through their smartphones...Thus, smart cities will need an ideal environment to meet the expectation of the internet savvy youth," Ramadorai said.

However, he underlined that though there are advantages of such technologies, citizens are making themselves vulnerable.

"At first they may find data about themselves. But at the same time they are also making themselves vulnerable to cyber crimes. With the wide scale transfer of data, there could be cyber attacks wherein hackers might control the entire system or in this case the entire smart city," he said.

The former TCS vice-chairman also emphasised that citizens need to be trained to use the system effectively.

"The smart city ecosystem has to be protective and evolve with its citizens," he added.

The government expects to roll out the draft plans for the proposed 100 smart cities and the new urban transformation mission this month.