Navigating the Indian Cyberspace Maze: Guide for Policymakers

Ashish Chhibbar

Cyberspace has turned out to be one of the greatest discoveries of mankind. Today, we have more than four-and-a-half billion people connected to the internet and this number is all set to increase dramatically as the next generational Internet of Things (IoT) devices and 5G technology gets fully operational.

India has been at the forefront of this amazing digital revolution and is a major stakeholder in the global cyberspace ecosystem. As the world embarks on embracing internet 2.0 characterised by 5G high-speed wireless interconnect, generation of vast quantities of data and domination of transformational technologies of Artificial Intelligence (AI), block chain and big data, India has been presented with a unique opportunity to leapfrog from a developing country to a developed knowledge-based nation in a matter of years and not decades.

This book presents an exciting and fascinating journey into the world of cyberspace with focus on the impactful technologies of AI, block chain and Big Data analysis, coupled with an appraisal of the Indian cyberspace ecosystem. It has been written especially for a policymaker in order to provide a lucid overview of the cyberspace domain in adequate detail.

Ashish Chhibbar Brigadier Ashish Chhibbar is presently Senior Fellow with the Strategic Technologies Centre at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses New Delhi, and his interests lie in cyberspace policy and disruptive technologies of Artificial Intelligence, block chain and big data analysis.

Brigadier Chhibbar is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, and has varied experience of over three decades in all types of terrain and operational assignments. He completed his Masters in Telecommunication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and holds a PhD in Strategic Decision Making from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.

Contents

Abbreviations

1. Introduction
2. A Brief Introduction to Cyberspace
3. Artificial Intelligence as a Strategic Force Multiplier
4. Blockchain and Big Data: Enablers of National Security
5. Appraisal of India’s Cyberspace Ecosystem
6. Recommendations and Conclusion

Appendix A

Cyberspace Architecture and Building Blocks

Appendix B

Essentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Appendix C

Recommended Structure of Ministry of Cyberspace

Index