CISF warns against cyber attack

By Shariff Ameeruddin Ishaqui

Hyderabad Feb. 12: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has stepped up security of vital installations after recent intelligence reports on the possibility of terror strikes there. CISF director general S.I.S. Ahmed said on Monday that threat perception of nuclear establishments such as Baba Atomic Research Centre had also gone up. Talking to this correspondent at the National Industrial Security Academy (Nisa) at Hakimpet on Monday after witnessing a passing out parade of CISF sub-inspectors, Mr Ahmed pointed out that the terror strike may not be in a physical form but could be an attempt to damage the network of such institutions. "That is why we have decided to develop a network security system," he said. "We will protect the institutions from hackers." Most PSUs had excellent software professionals and scientists who could provide the CISF with inputs on the possible damages that terrorists can cause to networks, he said. Threat perceptions were not confined to government institutions and even the country’s premier private sector units were under threat. "We will provide consultancy service to private institutions," the CISF director general said. At present, the CISF was providing security to all airports, defence research organisations and other public sector under takings in the country. Mr Ahmed said that the CISF maintained close coordination with the Intelligence Bureau to get key inputs.