Why is it in the news?

• In response to the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, the Centre has taken significant steps to bolster cybersecurity by implementing a secure email system for 10,000 users across critical ministries and departments.

 More about the news

• The email system is designed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• It is based on the Zero Trust Authentication (ZTA) approach, treating all systems, networks, and users as untrusted, necessitating ongoing authentication.
• Zero Trust Authentication (ZTA) is a security approach that requires continuous authentication for devices, users, and applications. This strategy enhances security by not assuming trust based on location or user credentials.
• The system incorporates a two-factor authentication In addition to passwords, it requires facial recognition or biometrics, adding an extra layer of security.
• The system records log-in and log-out times, contributing to enhanced security measures. This feature aids in monitoring user activity and identifying any unusual login patterns.

Other Cyber Security Measures by the Government

 1) Digital India Corporation (DIC)

• DIC, a not-for-profit company under MeitY, invited bids from private players for cloud service providers.
• The scope of the bid includes operating, managing, and migrating existing and future projects.
• Projects managed by DIC include Digilocker, Poshan Tracker, MyScheme, Umang, APISetu, NCW, Kisan Sarathi, Academic Bank of Credits, among others.

DIC’s Objectives:

• Capacity building for e-Governance projects.
• Promotion of best practices in the domain.
• Encouragement of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
• Nurturing innovation and technology.

2) Email Services Migration

• The bid also involves migrating government employees’ email services to a private player.
• Currently, these services are managed by the NIC.