Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy”

Context

• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in collaboration with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore successfully designed and conducted the Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy” for 13 Countries.

About

• It was a part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group.
  • Ransomware is a malware designed to deny a user or organization access to files on their computer.
• The Group is being led by India under the leadership of National Security Council Secretariat.
• The theme of the exercise was “Building Network Resiliency to Counter Ransomware Attacks”. 
• The exercise scenario was derived from real life cyber incidents, in which a domestic level (limited impact) ransomware incident escalates to a global cyber security crisis.
• Each State participated as a National Crisis Management Team having composition from different government agencies including National CERTs/CSIRTs, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA), Communication & IT/ICT Ministry and Security agencies.

Major Government Initiatives for Cyber Security

• CERT-In: It is an organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative: It is an initiative from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) that aims at creating a robust cybersecurity ecosystem in India. This program was in association with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre:   NCIIPC is a central government establishment, formed to protect critical information of our country, which has an enormous impact on national security, economic growth, or public healthcare. This was amended as per the provisions of section 70A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. 
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): The MHA launched this I4C Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre program to combat cybercrime in the country, through a coordinated and efficient method. 
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) is an installation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). 
• Information Technology Act, 2000: IT Act of 2000 came into effect in India on 09 June 2000. IT Act states in its preamble that the purpose of the legislation is to provide legal recognition to electronic transactions.
• National Cyber Security Strategy 2020: A National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 is still under development at the Indian government cyber security department National Security Council Secretariat by the Office of the National Cyber Security Coordinator.

Source: PIB