Integrated cybersecurity solution lab to be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 89.4cr

Panaji: State govt on Wednesday granted approval to set up an integrated cybersecurity solution lab for analysis, detection, and response to cyber threats and attacks, including malware, at an estimated cost of Rs 89.4 crore.The state cabinet selected the National Forensic Sciences University Research and Innovation Council (NFSU-RIC) Gandhinagar, Gujarat, an institute under the ministry of home affairs, as the implementation agency for the execution and setting up of integrated cybersecurity solutions. This includes a Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity and a lab for analysis, detection, and response to cyber threats and attacks.

Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) will serve as the project management unit, with an estimated total financial outlay of Rs 89.4 crore over five years and Rs 1.7 crore per annum.The cabinet said that in the era of an evolving digital world, technological advancement is having a profound impact on business and governance globally. With this comes new challenges for governance, such as the rise of cybercrime, which presents significant challenges for law enforcement agencies.

When the existing laws were written, the concept of the virtual world or cyberspace did not exist. The use of social media is making it easier for people to spread misinformation.The cabinet noted that cybercriminals are exploiting these technological advances to threaten the security and privacy of data, as well as the integrity of critical infrastructure. There are no signs that these attacks will slow down in any manner in the future, which only underlines the importance of strengthening cyberspace with greater security through new tools, technologies, and policies.The cabinet said that govts globally and across all sectors are facing unprecedented cyber threats. Viruses, malware, distributed denial-of-service and other kinds of attacks are increasing by the day. Additionally, the regulation for data security and other compliance requirements is also on the rise. This leads to law and order challenges for govts across the globe.The cabinet highlighted that NFSU-RIC is a premier institution dedicated to advancing research and training in forensic sciences, cybersecurity, and digital investigations.