On 19^th Jan 2024, the Centre for Strategic Studies and Simulation (CS3) at the United Service Institution (USI) of India organised the First Scholar Presentation by Col Suraksh Vir, Senior Research Fellow at CS3, USI. As a part of the continuing research on 'Enhancing Offensive Cyber Capability at the National Level’, the officer presented the relevance of including and enhancing Cyber Offensive capabilities at the national level. Research scholars of USI and serving officers from Service Headquarters also attended the event.

 

Maj Gen RS Yadav, VSM (Retd), Director, CS3, gave the opening remarks. It was followed by the remarks of the Guide, Col Sanjeev Relia (Retd). The scholar’s presentation was followed by remarks from External Discussant, Maj Gen (Dr) Ajeet Bajpai (Retd). Post that, an interactive Q and A session and suggestions from other attendees took place. The event concluded with Closing Remarks given by Maj Gen RS Yadav, VSM (Retd).

Opening Remarks by Maj Gen RS Yadav, VSM (Retd), Director, CS3

Key Takeaways:

·         With massive digitisation across all domains, Cyber Deterrence is the new capability which a nation needs to possess to safeguard its interest. A credible Cyber Deterrence emanates from strong and indigenous Cyber Defence capability, continuous and resilient Cyber Network Exploitation (CNE) and a potent Cyber Network Offensive (CNO) capacity. An inherent young demography with globally appreciated skillset in software capabilities, India is at the cusp of Cyber revolution and needs to establish its deterrence by undertaking Atamnirbharta in all three fields of Cyber domain at the earliest.    

 

First Scholar Presentation by Col Suraksh Vir, Senior Research Fellow

 

·         The discussion underlined the requirement of research on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cyber offensive and defensive capabilities. There is a need to consolidate and integrate our CNE and CNO capabilities for better coordination and enhanced potency. Training and upskilling of the talent pool by incorporation and synergy between academia, civil cyber professionals, and the military in enhancing Cyber Offensive capabilities were emphasised.

Remarks given by Maj Gen (Dr) Ajeet Bajpai (Retd), External Discussant

·         Unlike nations like the US, China, Russia, and the UK, India still lacks a synergistic balance between internal and external agencies. Certain policy adjustments, such as creating a unified cyber organisation and fusing the military and civic sectors, are an urgent necessity.

 

 

Report by: Tanya Jain, Research Assistant, CS3, USI