CERT-In extends timelines for enforcement of Cyber Security Directions till 25 September, 2022 for MSMEs and for the validation aspects of subscribers/customers details

It will enable MSMEs to build capacity required for the implementation of the Cyber Security Directions of 28.04.2022

Data Centres, VPS providers, Cloud Service providers and VPN Service providers are also given additional time for implementation of mechanisms relating to validation aspects of subscribers/customers details

Why is it in news?

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) serves as the national agency for performing various functions in the area of cyber security in the country as per provisions of section 70B of the IT Act, 2000. CERT-In continuously analyses cyber threats and handles cyber incidents tracked and reported to it. CERT-In issued directions relating to information security practices in exercise of  powers bestowed u/s 70B(6) of the Information Technology Act to promote Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable Internet in the country on 28 April, 2022.

Highlights

·       Subsequently, in response to general queries received by CERT-In, a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document was also released by Hon’ble Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar on 18 May, 2022 to enable better understanding of various stakeholders as well as to promote Open, Safe & Trusted and Accountable Internet in the country.

·       MeitY and CERT-In are in receipt of requests for the extension of timelines for implementation of these Cyber Security Directions of 28^th April, 2022 in respect of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Further, additional time has been sought for implementation of mechanism for validation of subscribers/customers by Data Centres, Virtual Private Server (VPS) providers, Cloud Service providers and Virtual Private Network Service (VPN Service) providers.

·       The matter has been considered by CERT-In and it has been decided to provide extension till 25 September, 2022 to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in order to enable them to build capacity required for the implementation of the Cyber Security Directions.

·       In addition, Data Centres, Virtual Private Server (VPS) providers, Cloud Service providers and Virtual Private Network Service (VPN Service) providers are also provided with additional time till 25 September, 2022 for implementation of mechanisms relating to the validation aspects of the subscribers/customers details. 

Work for foot over bridge at Amb Andaura Railway Station to begin soon

Railways orders construction after request from Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur

Why is it in news?

Union Minister for Railways has ordered construction of a foot over bridge Amb Andaura Railway Station. The foot over bridge will connect the station to Jama Masjid and will ease the access of the Masjid from the railway station. The tender for the construction has been opened and the ground work is expected to begin soon.

Highlights

The order has come after a request for the over bridge was made by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur to Union Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw on 1^st June 2022.

Ministry of Steel onboards itself on National portal for GatiShakti

Identifies 38 high impact projects under PM –GatiShakti

PM GatiShakti eyes expansion of Rail network New Inland Waterways, Roads, Ports, Gas Pipelines and Airports/Airstrips to drive Steel sector towards achieving its targeted goals by 2030-31

The Ministry of Steel has on boarded itself on PM GatiShakti Portal (National Master Plan portal) with the help of Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BiSAG-N).

Why is it in news?

It has created its first layer of data with uploading Geo locations of all the steel plants of CPSEs under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel. The Geo location of all the mines of these CPSEs under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel are also in the process of being uploaded.

Highlights

·       BiSAG-N has created an application through which Ministry of Steel is planning to upload the Geo location of more than two thousand steel units (including big players) functioning in the country.

·       In future, with the Geo locations, it is also planned to upload other relevant attributes like production capacity, product details etc. of all the units/mines.

·       Apart from that, Ministry of Steel, in line with the goal of PM GatiShakti has identified 38 high impact projects to develop multimodal connectivity and bridge the missing infrastructure gaps. Planned expansion of railway lines, creation of new Inland Waterways, roads, ports, gas pipeline connectivity and airports/airstrips will result in creating much needed logistics solution, which will drive the steel sector towards achieving its targeted goals by 2030-31 as delineated in NSP (National Steel Policy) 2017. 

·       Gati Shakti - National Master Plan for Infrastructure development  was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister in October 2021 with the objective to bring different Ministries together and for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity Projects. It will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments and will alsoleverage technology extensively including spatial planning tools.

Meeting of Prime Minister with the Prime Minister of Canada on the sidelines of G7 Summit

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada, H.E. Mr. Justin Trudeau, on 27 June 2022 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany.

Why is it in news?

As Leaders of robust democracies with shared values, they had a productive meeting in which they discussed India-Canada bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen trade and economic linkages, cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, as well as people-to-people ties.

Highlights

They also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.