G20 Digital Economy Ministers Agree to Address Cyber Security as Global Issue: Vaishnaw

During the G20 Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the unanimous agreement that cyber security is a global issue necessitating cooperation and measures to foster trust and respect among economies.

The minister holding the portfolios of Electronics, IT, Communications and Railways said there was absolute consensus at the G20 meeting on the concept and application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), cyber security and digital technology skills.

He said of the cyber security discussions that “very good principles” were reached regarding cyber security.

“Everyone clearly agreed and understood that cyber security or information security or digital security, whatever we call it, different countries call it by different names… this is an international issue and we need to work together,” Vaishnaw said. at a press conference here.

He went on to say, “We need to take action all over the world to ensure that there is universal trust and universal respect for other people’s economies, and that there is universal deterrence against actions that threaten someone’s economy.”

According to him, there was a great deal of consensus on cyber security, where everyone agreed that this is a problem that the whole world must face together.

“This (cyber security) cannot be seen in isolation. This was decided, very good principles were reached and the focus was on raising awareness and creating more tools that are affordable for ordinary citizens and small businesses,” the minister said. .

He added that there was a lot of emphasis on cyber security for the small business and MSME sectors.

Regarding Cyber Security, the minister reminded the Ministry of Telecommunications of the measures taken to combat cyber fraud.

About a few months ago, he said that the Indian government had launched three important tools to prevent cyber fraud and claimed that the output of these three tools is “phenomenal”.

Vaishnaw said the first tool detected and deactivated five and a half million fraudulently acquired SIM cards used for cyber fraud.

According to him, people at these scam points, known for their involvement in fraud, began to feel the pressure.

The Center also blacklisted and deactivated about 40,000 point-of-sale dealers and registered 300 FIRs.

A few days ago, the Union government launched two other reforms that would require every retailer to be audited, he added.

“So it cannot be the case that the person who gives the SIM card without doing the appropriate Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is not responsible. That person must be held accountable,” the minister said.

To check digital fraud, the Center announced on August 17 that it will make verification of retailers selling SIM cards mandatory and stop issuing bulk connections. SIM card resellers will also be checked by the ‘licensee’ or equivalent telecom operator, and violators will be fined ₹10 lakh.

Vaishnaw added that the government is focusing on ensuring that cyber fraud is controlled at every stage. All proposals from industry, civil society, stakeholders, media and individuals are welcome.

“We are a very open-minded government. Many of our reforms are based on your suggestions, and we are happy to adopt new reforms based on your suggestions and ideas,” he added.

There was “absolute consensus” at the G20 on the concept and application of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

“As you all know the story of ‘Digital India’ through which our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has democratized technology and made it reach the poorest, the remotest village, reach all sections of the society. The G20 ministers have accepted it,” Vaishnaw said.

Regarding skills, the minister said that all those who participated in the meeting agreed that, in terms of inclusive growth and digital inclusion, it is important that skills are scaled and expanded to the war base.