NSA Ajit Doval calls for joint efforts by Brics, 'friends' to deal with cyber risks
NSA Ajit Doval on Monday participated in the 'Friends of BRICS' meeting in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the Brics NSA meet and called for collective efforts to deal with cyber risks involving terrorists and radicals. At the meeting, the issue of cybersecurity was discussed at length, ET has learnt. In addition to Brics, the following 'Friends of Brics' countries participated — Belarus, Burundi, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Cuba.
Doval highlighted the need for collective efforts to deal with challenges emanating from cybersecurity. The Global South, in particular, needed to overcome limitations of resources. In this endeavour, India will always remain at the forefront, working closely with the Global South, Doval noted.
NSA highlighted that the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as AI, Big Data and Internet of Things. He also highlighted the linkages between cyber criminals and terrorists including the use of cyberspace for financing, money laundering, radicalising, lone wolf attacks and secured communications. Younger populations were particularly susceptible to the spread of extremist ideologies through use of social media sites because they are technology savvy and have impressionable minds, NSA pointed out.
Doval also held bilaterals with his counterparts from Brics and 'Friends of Brics' countries. Wang Yi (Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission) and former foreign minister of China represented China at the Brics meet. Earlier, there were reports that former foreign minister Yang Jiechi will represent China.
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