Plan to protect cyber assets

Defensive e strategies developed:

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Defending cyber assets of the country is of vital and therefore policies and legislations have to be developed to protect and defend national cyber assets, Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry Secretary Nimal Athukorala said.

Addressing a seminar on 'Cyber warfare' organized by the Moratuwa University in collaboration with the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka yesterday, he said the Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry will adopt an electronic government in the implementation of national e-strategies.

This will include online services offered by government, e-business and e-payment operations undertaken through the public procurement process.

He said with the widespread use of ICT, public sector services could be provided to people and businesses efficiently and at affordable prices achieving greater efficiency in service delivery, more transparency in governance and productivity growth.

Athukorala said telecommunication and information technology cover a vast array of fields and the use of ICT for development is conceptualised by using many paradigms and frameworks.

"Therefore the innovative use of ICT in agriculture, trade, education, health and public administration will have a very significant impact on the national economy and development," he said. Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has appointed a committee headed by Secretary Athukorala to formulate a strategy to implement the mandate of the Ministry.

It is in the process of formulating a five year plan.

Referring to the challenges of ICTs in development he said low literacy levels, high and unequal access to ICT facilities, current high cost of access to internet, ICT equipment like computers, software and electricity, old mindset and lower levels of income are the challenges.

At the same time breach of cyber security by unscrupulous elements is a challenge that the country has to face.

He requested to closely cooperate with the Moratuwa University in their search for the effective counter measures, both technologically and media wise, in combating the dreaded monster for mutual benefit.