Brief

CERT India and Microsoft India launch security portal

CERT India and Microsoft India have launched secureyourpc.in—a Web site aimed at disseminating information on online safety and security to diverse audiences. The Web site aims to create awareness and provide people with exhaustive information on how to be secure online and ensure that they are both cognizant of, and ready to combat threats that could lurk online.

The Web site launch was preceded by a panel discussion on ‘Internet Security in India: Challenges and Responses’ by senior members from Data Security Council of India (DSCI), Computer Emergency Response Team India (CERT-in), Microsoft India, MAIT, CBI and Supreme Court. The discussion was based upon the current status of Internet security in India and what are the measures that need to be taken to enhance the security levels. 

In today’s environment, where more than 97% of e-mail messages sent over the Internet are unwanted—they have malicious attachments, are phishing attacks, or are spam; and there is an increased prevalence of rogue security software (according to Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 6) or where security issues are a reason of worry even for the most sophisticated and ardent of online users, secureyourpc.in is an effort to address these issues, deliver suggestions and prescriptive guidance on safeguarding security. The Web site creates, collates and disseminates information on security and privacy issues. Regular updates on matters of safety and security, downloads, good-to-use tips and suggestions, will be some of the features that the Web site provides.

On the occasion of the launch, Dr Gulshan Rai, Director General, CERT- India said, “The issue of online security & safety is becoming increasingly pivotal. The Web site Secureyourpc.in empowers the technology users with knowledge and information related with the various facets of online security. We are glad to have support from a company such as Microsoft which is known globally for its commitment towards ensuring the security of users and industry leaders like NASSCOM, CII and MAIT.”

With the Internet connected users in India expected to rise exponentially, it is important to ensure that the users have complete knowledge of what they are doing on the Internet. Secureyourpc.in, will provide specific information on online safety and security to women, parents, teachers, children, or even SMBs. One of the most important aspects of the Web site is that it can be viewed in four different languages, English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil, reaching a large audience base.

“With the recent amendments to the Information Technology Act, deterrent against criminal activities targeting or using computers, computer resources and computer networks have been enhanced, for example, by specifically criminalizing child pornography. However, law alone is insufficient and users need to be made aware of the legal implications in simple language and provide prescriptive guidance on Do’s & Don’ts. Secureyourpc.in is an attempt at the same,” Vakul Sharma, Advocate of Supreme Court said.

R Chandrashekhar, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of IT, Ministry of Communications &IT said, “It is heartening to see that through the launch of this Web site, the critical issue of online security is being brought to the forefront. India will eventually have the youngest population in the world and the use of PC in an online networked environment will increase exponentially with time. Therefore it is essential that critical information related to online security be made available to the user continuously and consistently.”

The continually evolving computing landscape of today has two primary macro-level developments: more people and businesses rely on computing every day, and the threats that can undermine trust in computing are increasingly sophisticated and malicious. From the customer’s perspective, it is increasingly important that sensitive and personal information is protected, that software businesses adhere to business practices that promote trust amongst users, and that the technology industry renews its focus on solid engineering and best practices to ensure that the products and services remain reliable and secure.