UPSC Mains 2022 GS3 Q19 — Cyber Security
What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- examine
- Scope keywords
- elements of cyber securitychallenges in cyber securityextent to which India has successfully developedcomprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy
- Implicit sub-parts
- Identification of the functional pillars of cyber security (Application, Network, Cloud, IoT, and Critical Information Infrastructure).
- A thematic categorization of the current threat landscape (State-sponsored attacks, data sovereignty, and ransomware).
- Critical gap analysis between the 2013 Policy and the 2023 Strategy requirements.
- Evaluation of institutional effectiveness (CERT-In, NCIIPC, I4C) against evolving threats.
- Common pitfalls
- Listing basic 'cybercrimes' like phishing instead of 'elements of security' like network/application/end-user security.
- Spending too much time on general challenges without linking them back to the specific 'comprehensiveness' of India's strategy.
- Ignoring the shift from the 2013 National Cyber Security Policy to the more recent National Cyber Security Strategy (2023) or lack of legislative backing (DPDP Act 2023).
- Failing to provide a balanced 'extent' assessment—either being too celebratory or entirely critical without acknowledging infrastructure like the National Cyber Coordination Centre.
- Dimensions required
- Institutional/LegalTechnological/InfrastructureInternational/Diplomatic (Budapest Convention, UNGGE)Human Capital/Awareness
- Marks allocation hint
Dedicate approximately 50 words to the elements of cyber security (static part). Allocate 75 words to the challenges, ensuring they frame the need for a strategy. Use the remaining 125 words for a nuanced examination of India's strategic success, focusing on policy evolution, institutional gaps, and the 'extent' of success vs. implementation hurdles.
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