Objective

A landmark initiative to strengthen India's cybersecurity resilience.

Organizers

Conducted by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Government of India, in strategic partnership with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU).

Participants

Over 300 participants from government agencies, public organizations, and the private sector committed to safeguarding critical information infrastructure.

Key Features

1. Immersive Training: Cyber defense and incident response training.
2. Live-Fire Simulations: Cyberattack simulations on IT and OT systems.

3. Strategic Exercises: Simulations for senior management to enhance decision-making in national-level cyber crises.

4. Collaborative Platforms: Engagement between government and industry stakeholders.

CISO’s Conclave

A forum featuring Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from the government, public, and private sectors sharing insights, panel discussions, and exploring trends.

Bharat Cybersecurity Startup Exhibition

Showcase of innovative solutions by Indian startups to highlight their role in bolstering India's cybersecurity infrastructure.

Focus Areas

Leadership engagement, capacity building, and development of a unified approach to addressing emerging cyber challenges.

Creation

NSCS was created in the late 1990s to serve as the secretariat for the National Security Council (NSC).

Role of NSC

Apex advisory body on internal and external security matters. It is headed by the National Security Advisor (NSA), who acts as the Secretary of the NSC.

Objective

Provides strategy, direction, and long-term vision to ensure all ministries concerned with national security are prepared to address potential threats.

Additional NSA (ANSA)

The post always existed but remained vacant until recently. Appointment is expected to streamline and strengthen the functioning of the NSCS.

Composition of NSCS

• Three Deputy NSAs drawn from services like the Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, armed forces, etc.
• Military Adviser tasked with coordinating with the Ministry of Defence and overseeing the induction of new technologies.
• National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC) in charge of liaising with coastal states, the Coast Guard, and other maritime security agencies.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Bharat NCX 2024 exercise:

1. Bharat NCX 2024 is a multilateral naval exercise involving the Indian Navy and allied forces from the Indo-Pacific region.
2. The primary focus of Bharat NCX 2024 is to enhance interoperability and conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
3. Bharat NCX 2024 aims to promote cooperation and strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

How many of the above-given statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Bharat NCX 2024 is a multilateral naval exercise that includes the participation of the Indian Navy along with allied forces from the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is designed to improve cooperation and collaboration between the participating countries.

Statement 2 is correct: The exercise focuses not only on enhancing maritime security but also on conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. This involves simulating real-world disaster scenarios and coordinating multiple agencies for effective relief and rescue operations.

Statement 3 is correct: One of the primary objectives of Bharat NCX 2024 is to strengthen maritime security and promote cooperation among participating countries. This helps in addressing common security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.