US allowing snooping on Indians' communication; government concerned

NEW DELHI: India has raised its concerns with the US over reported authorisation given to American entities to "intrude upon" the privacy of communication networks of Indian government, its citizens and institutions.

Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh, replying to a question on the issue in Rajya Sabha, said it has been observed that cyber attackers use masquerading techniques and hidden servers to launch snooping.

He said government has taken several steps to enhance the security of the communication networks which include a crisis management plan for countering cyber terrorism for implementation by all ministries, departments, institutions in critical sectors, state governments and their organisations.

"The Government has raised its concerns with the US government regarding the reported authorisation given to its entities to intrude upon privacy communications of the Indian government, its citizens and Indian entities," Singh said.

The Minister said the devices on internet are prone to regular scanning from different parts of the world for variety of purposes, including to penetrate the cyber networks operating in the government.

He said communication systems are targeted using hidden servers to hide the identity of actual system from which the attacks are being launched.

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats and counter-measures on regular basis.

Singh said the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre provides regularly tailored advisories on software/hardware vulnerabilities to Critical Information Infrastructure Organisations.