To enhance cyber security in the country, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC) will soon develop the first national cyber security strategy. It will be a plan of actions designed to ensure a high-level approach to cyber security.
Cyber security is the protection of Internet-connected systems, including hardware, software and data, from cyber attacks.
The MoIC in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Unit conducted a cyber security incident simulation exercise in the capital today.
As the country invests in its information and communication technology infrastructures, the risk of inadequate security to protect these technologies increases as well.
“The internet and its technologies offer so much to people especially the younger generations. However it is also important to look at the downside because cyber security threats can have severe consequences,” Dr Marco Gercke, the Director of Cybercrime Research Institute, said.
He added most of the times, the general public, national and corporate organizations are found to be the targets of cyber attacks, which is carried out through the spread of malicious programs and viruses, unauthorized web access, fake websites, and other means to steal personal or institutional information.
“The newly established BtCIRT has dealt with various cyber incidences in the past and we can consider them as an attack. However, Bhutan is fortunate not have any high-level attacks so far. I think it is important to have cyber security strategy in place to respond to such attacks,” Dr Marco Gercke said.
At the cyber security incident simulation exercise, participants discussed various cyber security threats.
“Cyber security is important for any nation, as we go more and more online. We are working with the financial institutions to develop a strategy. So that is why we are having consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders,” Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, the Director-General of MoIC, said
For now, the country has Bhutan Computer Incident Response Team (BtCIRT), formed in 2016, to respond to cyber incidences in the country.
