Operational needs of security agencies
NEW DELHI, July 16:
With the country’s security environment facing constant challenges, a high-level 10-member group has been constituted by the Government for effective coordination among the agencies concerned and also identifying strategic technologies required in security-related areas.
The Committee named as Strategic Security Technology Coordination Group (SSTCG) will deal with counter-terrorism, border security, ports and aviation security among other sectors, an official order said today.
It has been set up with an aim to increase efficiency and effectiveness of countries various law enforcement agencies.
The group will also study and suggest newer technologies for emergency preparedness and response, biological, radiological and chemical agent prevention and for gathering domestic and foreign intelligence.
The Committee headed by a senior Joint Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi will have members from Intelligence Bureau, NTRO, Department of Telecom, Ministry of External Affairs, Communication and Information and Technology Ministry and National Information Centre, the order said.
The Committee will identify existing and adequately tested technologies in India and abroad to support the operational needs of security agencies and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and for fulfilling the special technology needs of the state police and para-military forces.
Besides identifying the technologies, the committee will also assist the security agencies and LEA in selection and adoption of such technologies, the order said, adding the SSTCG would foster technology research and development in the Government and private sector.
With an initial term of two years, the committee would work to build and strengthen cooperation between security agencies and LEAs and the technology developer and providers.
The SSTCG will also review all types of scanners, full truck scanner, information and communication technology for LEAs and security agencies.
A special emphasis would be laid on SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) which generally refers to industrial control systems where computer systems monitors and control industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes.
The roles and responsibilities of SSTCG would also include identification of leading edge technologies and their sources, generic standards and specification, comparisons evaluation like Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), issue technology advisers, suggest customisation and sponsored research and suggest future research areas.
The Government has allowed the committee to co-opt any other experts based on their special knowledge of the subject from central and State Governments or private sector as well, it said. (PTI)
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