Cabinet Secretariat asks Coal ministry to guard against cyber attacks

At a time when the companies are aggressively bidding for coal blocks being given through electronic auction, the Cabinet Secretariat has asked the coal ministry to ensure strict compliance of security measures to guard against any possible cyber attacks. The government is for the first time ever giving mines to private sector through electronic auction. "You may be aware that in recent years, Indian cyber space has observed an increase in structured cyber-attacks against computer networks of government establishments.

"Critical information of infrastructures of the country are also at risk," Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said in a recent communication to coal secretary Anil Swarup. Seth further said that one of the main reasons being attributed to such possible attacks is not adhering to basic Cyber Security Policy and the extant guidelines by the government departments due to which "prophylactic measures to prevent pilferage of data could not be put in place."

"Therefore I urge you to ensure strict compliance of security instructions provided under National Information Security Policy and Guidelines and cyber security policies," Seth said. The government has put on offer 19 coalmines in the first tranche. From this auction the government has so far given 11 mines to companies like Hindalco, Balco, OCL Iron and Steel, Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd.