Indian Nuclear Installations and Nuclear Power Stations Are Secure From Cyber-Attacks: Govt

Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singhon Thursday (10 February) said that Indian nuclear installations and nuclear power stations are secure from cyber-attacks.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said that Indian nuclear establishment has an already set rigorous procedure for design, development and operation of the systems used in its installations.

The safety and security critical systems are designed and developed in-house using custom built hardware and software which are subjected to regulatory verification and validation, thereby making them resistant to cyber security threats, a Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) release said.

The safety and security critical infrastructure of Indian nuclear establishments, such as control network and safety systems of plants are isolated from Internet and the local IT network.

Further, DAE has specialist groups like Computer and Information Security Advisory Group (CISAG) and Task force for Instrumentation and control security (TAFICS) to look after cyber security and information security of DAE units.

These groups undertake the process of strengthening cyber security of all units under DAE including nuclear facilities through hardening of systems and audits, the release said.