India, Australia to expand cyber security cooperation

On Thursday, India and Australia announced its collaboration in cyber-enabled critical technologies, highlighting the requirement to boost the critical information security infrastructure such as 5G telecom networks.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both the countries reviewed a variety of topics involving cyber domain emerging technologies at the initial conference of the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on cyber security cooperation.

The JWG is the framework designed to enable both the countries to execute a five-year (2020-25) proposal of act in the area of cyber and cyber-enabled critical technology.

The MEA stated, "Considering the rising requirement to boost security infrastructure as well as IoT (internet of things) devices and 5G technology, India and Australia decided to expand collaboration with private sector and academia and to collaboratively work in knowledge and skill development.

The virtual meeting of the JWG was conducted after a year when the two countries announced their expanded collaboration in aa virtual summit between Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Mr. Scott Morrison.

The MEA said both sides reiterated their dedication to work collectively in the fields of the critical and emerging technologies, cyber security, digital economy and as determined by the outline deal of the cyber and cyber-enabled critical technology cooperation.

It said, "India and Australia discussed cyber security threat evaluations as well as understanding of national cyber strategies and legislation.”

Ms. Paulomi Tripathi, Director (Oceania) in the MEA, led the Indian delegation at the meeting, while Mr. Rachel James, Special Advisor, Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology led the Australian side at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.