COMMAND CYBER OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT WINGS

Latest Context

Recently, the Army decided to operationalise Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSW) and modernise its online networks. A wide-ranging strategic, training, human resource and administrative aspects were discussed in the conference. 

What do you mean by Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC)?

ACC: It is an apex-level biannual event which is an institutional platform that serves as a high-level conceptual discussion and making important policy decisions for the Indian Army. The first ACC is scheduled from 17 to 21 April 2023.

Facts about CCOSWs

• CCOSW: It is a specialized unit of the Indian Army that will safeguard the networks and increase the preparedness level in this niche domain and assist the formations in undertaking mandated cyber security functions. To organise better utilization of networks and modern communication systems in Indian Army.
• It will help the Indian Army to counter their adversaries in the grey zone as well as in conventional operations.
• To maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical information.
• It will ensure that the Indian Army's communication networks are secure from cyber-attacks and also mitigate the cyber threats to the Indian Army's networks.

Highlights of Decisions Made in ACC

• Training and Technology Infusion: To evolve optimal employment and facilitate better modern communication systems and networks across the force. Training programs   discussed in order to optimize infrastructure, money and time in order to sustain an effective and lethal combat force.
• Force Structuring and Optimization: It was determined in the TES entrance plan for officers to transition from the present 1+3+1 years Technical Entrance Plan (TES) model to the 3+1 years TES model beginning in January 2024. The new model has 3 years of technical training at CTWs and followed by 1 year of Basic Military Training (BMT).
• Paralympic Events: To Identify and select the motivated soldiers for paralympic events and trained them at Army Sports and Mission Olympic Nodes in order to tackle the invincible

spirit and never say die mentality of the soldiers who have Physical Causalities.

India’s Initiatives in Cyber Warfare

• Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA): DCyA is a tri-service command of the Indian Armed Forces that deals with cyber issues and coordinates with other agencies such as the National Technical Research Organisation, National Cyber Security Coordinator etc.
• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): It is the national nodal agency for responding to cyber security incidents and providing early warning, support, and response to cybersecurity incidents in India.
• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): It is the National Nodal Agency in terms of Critical Information Infrastructure Protection such as cyber warfare, cyber terrorism and other threats.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre): It is a platform for detecting and cleaning infected devices and helps in malware analysis reports.

Way Forward

• A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that integrates the CCOSWs with other cybersecurity capabilities across the Indian Armed Forces.
• Command Cyber Operations and support wings should continue to invest in training and education programs to ensure their personnel have the necessary skills and knowledge to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber security.
• Collaboration and information sharing with other military and government agencies, as well as with the private sector, can help improve situational awareness and response capabilities.

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