Government creates 477 posts for cyber security workforce of IB

Union home minister Rajnath Singh has approved creation of around 500 new posts in the Intelligence Bureau to augment the cyber security infrastructure of the security establishment.

To augment the cyber security infrastructure of the security establishment, Union home minister Rajnath Singh has approved creation of around 500 new posts in the Intelligence Bureau, sources told HT.

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“Singh has approved 477 new posts in the IB, the country’s domestic intelligence agency, in various ranks,” said a senior government official requesting anonymity.

The cyber security infrastructure of the country has been facing acute manpower shortage. In comparison, major powers like the US and China have set up separate cyber security commands with work force of around a lakh personnel.

“The country needs more than five lakh personnel to safe guard our cyber infrastructure. Cyber attacks are increasing day by day. When we talk about smart cities, that also means more reliance on automation which will obviously translate into requirement of more cyber security experts in the government,” says senior IPS official Muktesh Chander, who had worked in the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), the technical intelligence gathering agency of the country.

Sources say the government has initiated a plan to gradually increase the cyber security workforce of the country and strengthening the cyber security infrastructure of the IB is part of that plan.

The government has already approved establishing National Cyber Coordination Centre which will be responsible for all forms of cyber intelligence and cyber security issues.